DECEASED 53-F CLASSMATES -- SINCE SEPTEMBER 2001


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Al Casas September 27, 2004
Hondo and Foster
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Joe Chipps, October 2008
Hondo and Foster
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Dave Dando Aug 2007
Hondo and Webb
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Desing, Richard April 2010
Greenville and Webb

DESING - Colonel Richard M. Desing of Albuquerque , New Mexico , died at his home Sunday, April 25, 2010 after a long courageous battle with cancer. He was 79 years old. Colonel Desing was born in Des Moines , Iowa and graduated from East High School and Drake University in Des Moines . He also earned a master's degree from the University of New Mexico .
His military career began when the Iowa Air Guard was activated in the spring of 1953 and ended with his retirement from the Air Force in 1977 at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque . He retired as commander of the Air Force Test and Evaluation Center , AFOTEC. He was a decorated fighter pilot serving two tours of Vietnam . He was the Operations Group Commander of the 43rd Tactical Fighter Squadron that won the Hughes Trophy award for the top fighter squadron in the USAF. This was his second Hughes Trophy. After his retirement from the Air Force, he was active in real estate in Albuquerque until his death.
He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Desing of Albuquerque , children Dana Gaydac of Charlotte , NC , Clark Desing of Seattle, WA, and David Desing of Des Moines , IA. He is also survived by stepchildren Martha Crist and Bill Crist, both of Des Moines , and 12 grandchildren.
Colonel Desing will be interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington , DC at 11:00 am on August 6, 2010 . If further details are desired, you may contact a family member.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the scholarship fund of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association in the name of Colonel Richard M. Desing. The address is RRVA National Office, P. O. Box 1553 , Front Royal, VA 22630-0033.

Interment:

Friday August 06
11:00 AM

Arlington National Cemetery
Washington
, DC

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Ediger, Robert James - 2006
Greenville and Webb
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Lee S. Huoni - September 28,  2003
Greenville and Webb

 

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Richard E. Cook - Hondo and Webb
Obit: Richard Eberle Cook, 72, died at 8:45 PM Sunday, July 7, 2002 at his home.
He was born March 25, 1930 in Mulkeytown to Frank Cook and Pluma Johnson.Richard
was a retired engineer who worked with NASA on the Apollo 13 Space Program for General Electric.
He was a member and past deacon of the First Christian Church of Christopher, president of the
Christopher Library Board, an Air Force veteran and very active in community service.He is
survived by his wife, Eleanor McNail; sister Helen Gilbert, Christopher; daughter, Melissa
Whitlow, son, Rick Cook, Seattle, WA; grandson, Matthew Whitlow; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 1 P.M., Friday July 12, 2002 at the Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher,
with the Rev. David McConnell officiating. Interment will take place at the Mulkeytown Cemetery. There will be no visitation. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois.
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Bill Cooley - Greenville and Webb
Date: 4/1/2006 from Jack Lamberty

Hi Don:  Sad news from Florida.   Our classmate, Bill Cooley,  passed away yesterday (March 31) from cancer and related complications.  He had been receiving treatment since last summer, but things never seemed to get better.  Bill was my ex-brother-in-law, having married my wife's sister.  She died in 1963, and we have stayed in contact with Bill throughout the years.  He is survived by his wife, Maggie, his step daughter, Rhonda, and two sons, Mike and Billy - all of Miami. 
     As an enlisted man,  Bill flew in the Berlin air lift and was a staff sergeant before starting flying training.  He mainly flew F-86Ds and B-47s during the remainder of his AF career.  In Sioux City, he crash landed an F-86D in a grove of trees, coming away with a crushed ankle that plagued him for the rest of his life. He still managed to remain on flight status during his career, however.
      I'll write again when I have more details.

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Culp, Ken   Bainbridge and Laredo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Jackson, David W., Greenville and Vance
Died February 27, 2006

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Johns, Edwin Anton, Greenville and Vance
Died in 1981, Norwalk, CT

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Maggart, Arlie, Greenville and Vance
Died 2003 in  Illinois.

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LaPorte, Donald C.

LaPorte, Donald C. November 14, 2010, age 79 years. Beloved son of the late Anthony M. and Irma LaPorte. Beloved brother of Dolores (Mathew) Lewandowski. Dear uncle of Lynda Rice, Lance and Lane Lewandowski, and Liza Beltran. Also survived by other relatives and friends. Funeral service Monday, November 22, at 7 PM, at the funeral home. Visitation Monday from 4 PM until the time of service. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. Donald was a retired airline pilot from Northwest Airlines.

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Libengood, Leroy "Bud",  Hondo and Webb
Died March 2, 2010, Colorado City, Colorado

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Neher, James A. "Punchy", Greenville and Webb
Died 2006, Yuba, CA.
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James W. Nelson - Hondo, Reese
Died August 2007

 

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Charles E. "Chuck" Pearson - Hondo, Webb
Died 25 August 2006


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Post, Charles A. - Greenville and Webb
Died   2006
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Gaspari Pane     Year unknown
Hondo

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Nelligan, William  May 2001 - No picture
Hondo and Reese
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Ruelens, Frans J. - Hondo and Connally
Died September 2006

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Col. Jerry L. Welch age 73 unexpectedly went home to his Lord and Savior Tuesday, July 27, 2004 . Born August 20, 1930 in OKC, raised in Gould , OK by parents Thaylor and Ida Lera Welch. Survived by his wife, Marlene whom he cherished, sharing 52 years of marriage. Three children, Keith Welch and wife Sheila of Tulsa, OK, Linda Jenkins, RN and husband Charles Jenkins of Plano , Texas , and Michelle Decker, D.D.S. and husband Kevin Decker of Okla. City . Seven grandchildren who were everything in his life including one great grandchild soon to be be born. After growing up in a small farming community, he worked full time as a firefighter paying his way through college graduating with a BBA. in Industrial Mgmt from OU in 1952. He gave 28 years to his country serving in the US . Air Force as a proud fighter pilot, base commander of the largest military base in Europe , and so many other proud accomplishments. He was able to enjoy a second retirement after working with the Okla. Tourism Dept. for 12 yrs. As a devoted Christian man he volunteered for many clubs and organizations and was very active in the church. His favorite past time and true passion was playing golf with all his buddies. Dad touched many lives. He was a hero and role model for many, a teacher and a friend to others and inspired everyone he touched all over the world. He is proud of the legacy he has left his family. He will be missed by many and loved by all. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the St. Matthew United Methodist Church in memory of Jerry. Memorial services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, 7/30/2004 at the St Matthew United Methodist Church in Midwest City , OK. Barnes & Johnson Funeral Home 1820 S. Douglas Blvd Midwest City 733-2991
Published in the Oklahoman on
7/29/2004 .

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Major William A. Van Dine

 

( August 09, 1932 - May 02, 2016 )

William Albert Van Dine, age 83, of San Antonio, passed away May 2, 2016 in San Antonio. William was born August 9, 1932 in New Haven, CT. He was born to Harold and Marguerite Eichstaedt Van Dine. He graduated from Hamden HS in Hamden, CT in 1950. William served in the US Air Force Reserves for over 20 years. During that time, he flew over 150 missions over Vietnam Reconnaissance RF101 and RF4C. In 1971, he retired as a Major. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dorothy “Dottie” Van Dine of San Antonio; sons and daughters-in-law, William A. Van Dine, Jr of Woodbridge, VA, Charles and Janet Van Dine of New Braunfels, Gregory and Karen Van Dine of Spring, TX; 4 grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Priscilla and Melvin Redman; brother and sister-in-law, Harold F. Van Dine Jr. and Maureen. The family will have a graveside service with Military Honors at the Community Cemetery in Valley View, TX at a later date. Memorials may be made in William’s name to Blue Skies of Texas Hospice or charity of your choice. Arrangements by Tondre-Guinn Funeral Home. Visit www.tondre-guinn.com

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Zipperer, Charles E.     Hondo and Webb    Last flight    January 2004

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