Former BloodHorse Managing Editor Dan Mearns Dies at 73

Dan Mearns, a former managing editor for The Blood-Horse and Thoroughbred Record magazines, died suddenly Jan. 16 from complications due to COVID-19, his brother Greg Mearns reported on Facebook.

"Dear Friends of Dan," his brother's post began. "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, 73, grew up in Louisville, Ky., where he attended duPont Manual High School and later studied at the University of Kentucky, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in English and a minor in U.S. history. He was a member of the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society.

He started working for Thoroughbred industry publications right out of college and stayed with horse racing media for 20 years. Mearns was managing editor for The Blood-Horse and the Thoroughbred Record before he moved on to be editor at the Florida Horse monthly magazine. He also worked as a radio and TV analyst, according to his LinkedIn page.

"When I started at the Blood-Horse in 1973, Dan got the unenviable task of showing me the ropes," wrote attorney and author Milt Toby on Facebook. "He did a great job with that, won most of the chair races in the hall, and during one of our impromptu contests won for the best use of a blank expense account receipt. They were good times!"

"My heart is heavy … so heavy," added Bob Massey to an outpouring of comments on Facebook. "I have been friends with Dan Mearns for about 20 years. He was one of the kindest, most gentlemanly guys I've ever met … a big teddy bear with a heart of gold and a great sense of humor. For a time, he exercised his writing talents as one of my top freelance writers here at Florida Weekly. Our community has lost a good man—a prince—and I have lost a dear old friend. I'm gonna miss you, man."

Mearns shifted to newspaper work in 2000 with Sun Newspaper in Florida's Charlotte County where he was a reporter, business editor, copy desk chief, Englewood Sun editor, and columnist.

"Dan was seriously the kindest, nicest soul. He was always so caring and helpful when we worked together on the newsroom at the Charlotte Sun," wrote Ella Nayor on Facebook. "I don't ever remember seeing Dan without a smile. And that is what I will remember him by and most—his beautiful, warm smile."

Mearns would go on to spend a year handling press releases for an engineering firm before working in marketing for Charlotte State Bank & Trust, where he would work for more than nine years. He most recently was a marketing specialist for Crews Banking.

"I am absolutely devastated," wrote Daulton Simpson on Facebook. "Yesterday, we lost one of the most kind and loving men to ever walk the Earth. Dan Mearns was not just your average man, he was able to put a smile on your face no matter how bad your day was. He would give everyone the shirt off of his back if he could & would never complain. Grandpa and I had a special connection; he was more like a father to me than a grandfather. He has always been a constant in my life & he has been one of the biggest supports to me thus far. In these moments I reflect on some of my best memories as a child & a lot of those involved him. He had the biggest heart I've ever seen & I truly believe that even at 73 he was too young. He was the most lively person I've ever met and I have learned so many incredible things from that man. I hope to be half as good of a person as he turned out to be. I loved him with all of my heart & will carry him with me forever."

Arrangements are pending.