Daniel Charles Webking of Gulf Breeze, Florida passed away on October 23, 2026, one day shy of his 73rd birthday, surrounded by his family. He will be remembered for the deep love he had for his family and the ocean.

Dan was born October 24, 1953 in Dayton, Ohio, to Henry Edward Webking and Elizabeth Brady Webking. After Ohio, his parents raised Dan with his six brothers and sisters in Richardson, Texas as part of St. Paul the Apostle Parish. When Dan was a teenager, Texas Instruments transferred his father and the family to Bedford, England. This time abroad, lived to the soundtrack of Roger Miller, was pivotal for Dan and the Webking family. He graduated from Texas A&M University with a Building Construction Degree.

Dan was a loving soul mate, husband, father, Papa, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, cousin, and friend. He had a special connection and gentleness with animals. He loved music and playing the guitar. Some of his happiest moments were spent with his family, and on the water.

Dan was authentic and insightful with a delightful mischievous streak, an infectious laugh, and a lifelong sense of adventure.

In 1989, he made the daring move to O‘ahu, Hawai‘i (with his talking parrot Oscar), where he met the love of his life, Karen Ella Smart, a Registered Nurse from Calgary, Canada. A few years later, they set off to explore the Mainland, travelling across the country, eventually settling in Florida. They had their first child, Sean David in Bradenton, Florida, and two years later completed their family with the birth of their daughter, Samantha Raye, born in Pensacola.

Dan was a general contractor by education and trade, eventually channeling his years of experience into starting his own business. He had a gift for building things and a natural curiosity that made him love figuring out how things worked. This trait fueled his endless excitement for his next new gadget or "toy". Dan enjoyed Star Trek, Top Gun, and classic Westerns like The Rifleman and Bonanza.

Dan’s love of the ocean and the water was a passion that lives on in his family. He was a true seaman, always proud to share his knowledge. He was known to teach all on board lifelong lessons of safety and hazards of boating and the water, before casting off to trips in the Gulf of Mexico for fishing or to see a shipwreck, in the Bay to watch the Blue Angels, and Pensacola Beach for eating and fun in the sun.

Dan is survived by his loving wife, Karen Ella Smart, 63; their two children, Sean David Webking, 34, and his daughter Harper Webking of Pensacola, and Samantha Raye Smart Webking, MD, 32, and her partner Johnny Clark of Tampa; four brothers and sisters, Walter Edward “Walt” Webking and his wife Cindy of Plano, Texas; Robert Henry “Bob” Webking and his wife Donna Mellon of La Grange, Texas; Jane Ellen “Janie” Webking Korpan and her husband Myron of Ingleside on the Bay, Texas; and Catherine Jean “Cathy” Webking and her spouse Shannon K. McClendon of Maui, Hawai‘i. Dan also leaves behind dear nieces and nephews: Nick Webking, Mary Beth Schmitt, Joe Schmitt, Michelle Schmitt Wyatt, Patricia Schmitt Krcmar, Ellen Ann Webking, Heidi Webking, Hilary Webking, and Nick Korpan; other grandnephews and grandnieces; and many friends.

Dan is predeceased by his parents, brother William Francis “Bill” Webking and sister Mary Ann Webking Schmitt.

The last two weeks of Dan’s life were an extremely difficult time, not only for Dan, but for his family. An intimate service to honor Dan and celebrate his life was held beachfront on the day after his passing, his birthday, followed by his favorite meal, pasties (with lots of ketchup) and chocolate cake.

The family extends great appreciation and thanks to everyone for their love and support.