Dan Mearns, the former managing editor of the Blood-Horse and the Thoroughbred Record, passed away Sunday, January 16 due to complications from Covid-19, according to his brother, Greg, who posed the news on Facebook.
“Dear Friends of Dan,” he wrote on Mearns's Facebook page. “This post is from his brother, Greg. I am heartbroken to report to you that Dan sadly and suddenly left us on Sunday, January 16, 2022 due to complications from Covid. His last communications with family were, `you don't want to get this,' and `make sure you get the booster.' As you all know, Dan was a beautiful soul who made us all smile, and even laugh out loud, at his love of life. I miss him sorely already. Peace.”
Mearns was a larger-than-life character with a big smile and a hearty laugh, who had posted a profile picture of himself on July 8, 2021 on his Facebook page that said, “I got my Covid-19 Vaccine. We can do this.”
His post was quickly filled with comments from fellow co-workers and friends who expressed their sorrow at the loss.
“Greg, I am so very, very sorry to hear this,” posted Eve Hutcherson. “I worked with Dan at the Blood-Horse all those years ago and have so many fond memories of how kind, funny, and talented he was. I can hear him laugh as I write this. Deepest condolences to you and all his family, and thank you for sharing his final communication as encouragement to all to take self-protection seriously. All the best.”
Wrote Amie Kahane Conti, “My deepest condolences to you and all his family. I am beyond grateful to have known Dan for so many years and he was such a kind hearted , true good man. I will so miss him and so saddened.”
According to his Facebook page, Mearns was a graduate of the University of Kentucky and was working at the Charlotte State Bank and Trust at the time of his passing.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
