Departures - 2007
We publish departures based on the year listed in the obituary. If no year is listed then we publish them when they are received.
Wilma Gladys Spaugy, 81, longtime Anchorage Alaska resident, died Dec. 29, 2007 at Providence Hospital. Gladys was born April 20, 1926 in Bolivar, PA to George & Nora Flickinger. She married Robert Earl Spaugy on June 18, 1949 and began an interesting life as an Air Force wife. Their many assignments throughout his career brought them to Alaska twice. The first time was to Fairbanks from 1960 to 1964, and then again, to Anchorage, for their terminal duty station in 1969. This allowed them to indulge in their love of camping, fishing and enjoying the beauty of The Great North State. Gladys was a retired beautician, housewife and avid stamp collector. One of her greatest passions was the Junior Stamp Club of the Anchorage Philatelic Society. She and her husband, Bob, devoted many Saturday afternoons over 25 years to spreading their knowledge and interest in stamps to the many children and young adults of the Anchorage area. She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, CMSgt (Ret) Bob Spaugy; daughter and son-in-law, Genevieve and Bill Poteat of Morganton, NC ; son, John D. Spaugy of California, MD; brother and sister-in-law, Merle and Carol Flickinger, of St. Louis, MO; many nieces and nephews ; close family friends, Ronnie Short and the family of Dwayne and Liz Daniel, of Anchorage. She was preceded in death by five of her six siblings. In lieu of flowers, the family requests any memorials be made to Providence Hospital Cancer Care, Cardiac Rehabilitation programs or the charity of your choice, especially those involving children, as Gladys always loved the little ones.
Boyd Edwin Quate, 89, of the 7000 block of Indian Trail, died Dec. 3, 2007, at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond after a short illness. His wife, Martha Holland Quate; his son, Boyd Edward Quate; parents, Graham and Margie Quate; and two brothers, Shepherd and Larry Quate predeceased him. He is survived by his daughter, Martha Q. Rountree and her husband Ray; a grandson, Robert Edward Quate; and daughter-in-law, Cathy Quate, all of Suffolk. Other survivors include his brother, Calvin Quate of Stanford University, Calif.; numerous nieces and nephews; and Margrit Radloff of Vancouver, Canada. Boyd was an Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, a lifelong meteorologist, an active member of the Holland Ruritan Club and an enthusiastic and joyful member of the human race. He traveled extensively over the years and particularly enjoyed touring in his RV with his beloved companion, Margrit Radloff. He never met a stranger nor missed a chance to try something new. He will be missed by his many friends and family world-wide. He was a member of Holland Baptist Church, the Senior Circle of Southampton Memorial Hospital and a former Boy Scout leader and Sea Scout. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday by the Rev. Robert W. Bunn at the Holland Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Holland Ruritan Club for their Scholarship Fund, c/o Irving Musselman, 1549 Glen Haven Road, Suffolk, VA 23437. The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the doctors and medical staff in the Neuro Science Department at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond for their outstanding care and concern for Boyd and his family.
James R. Vance, age 69, of Dardanelle, died Monday, December 3, 2007 at the River Valley Medical Center. A son of the late Ross Jennings and Audrey Sarah Pierce Vance, he was born May 22, 1938 in Webster City, Iowa. He attended Dardanelle High School before joining the United States Air Force. He received his accounting degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha following his time in the Air Force, became a certified public accountant and entered the field of banking. Before returning to Dardanelle he had worked at several banks in the United States, and had worked following his retirement at the Bank of Dardanelle (now the Rivertown Bank). He was a member of St. Johns Catholic Church in Russellville, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Steven Vance. Survivors include his wife, Dale Vance; a son and daughter-in-law, Edward James and Pamela Vance of Benton; a daughter and son-in-law, Terri Lynn and Thomas Walter Vogel of Normal, Illinois; a brother, David Frank Vance of Russellville; a sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Don Rainey of Maumelle; three grandchildren: Jacob Vogel and Brooke Vogel, both of Normal; and Zachary Vance of Benton; and two nephews and two nieces: David F. Vance Jr., Michael Vance, Debbie Knight and Stephanie Pritt. The funeral mass will be at 10 A.M. on Thursday, December 6, 2007, at St. Johns Catholic Church by Father William F. Thomas. Burial in Rest Haven Memorial Park will be by Shinn Funeral Service. Active pallbearers will be Gerald Marklein, Larry Cheffer, Damian Durbin, David Vance, Don Rainey and Jim Powers. The Rosary will be at 6:00 P.M. Wednesday evening at the Shinn Chapel with a time of visitation to follow. Memorials may be made to the Altar Society of St. Johns Catholic Church, 1900 West Main Street, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.
Jack W. Reed, 84, a resident of Albuquerque, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2007, after a brief but feisty bout with lung cancer. He spent his last days at the Care Center of Manzano del Sol Good Samaritan Village, which he helped to found. Jack was a brilliant mathematician and meteorologist, who went on from an early love of flight to become an invaluable part of the team that conducted the U.S.'s historic nuclear tests in the 1950s and early '60s. He enjoyed a long, productive scientific career at Sandia National Labs and at Kirtland Air Force Base, where he served as a Reserve Officer in the New Mexico Air National Guard. In his later years, Jack was one of the much-loved "Weather Wizards," for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, while he maintained an active research life until his death. Jack was born in Corning, IA on September 24, 1923. At the age of nine, he moved with his mother, Vera Gibson and his step-father, Charles Reed to Santa Fe, where his step-father was the State Highway Engineer. He graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1940. Jack was drafted into the US Army at the onset of World War II. He was an early weather specialist in the Air Corps, serving in the Philippines. In September 1944, Jack married Lois Linville of Chicago, IL. When he was discharged from the Army in 1947, they settled in Albuquerque, where he finished his schooling at the University of New Mexico, receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics. They had two children, Roger and Margaret. Jack became a meteorologist at Sandia National Labs, with the important task of predicting the fallout and shock patterns of numerous atmospheric nuclear tests, both in Nevada and in the South Pacific. Jack worked in various capacities at Sandia National Labs for 46 years. After his retirement from Sandia, he founded a consulting firm, JWR, Inc., where he continued to offer his expertise to clients worldwide. Jack published countless papers on atmospheric studies, wind energy, and nuclear matters and tests. He was active for years in the Democratic Party, the Boy Scouts, the New Mexico NAACP, and fought tirelessly for civil rights in New Mexico. Jack was a longtime member of First Congregational Church. Jack loved to travel around the globe and across the nation. He was a wine connoisseur and made numerous trips to California wine country and the various wine regions of France. Proceeded in death by his mother, step-father, and son, Roger. He is survived by his wife, Lois Reed; daughter, Margaret "Marti" Reed, both residents of Albuquerque; and granddaughter, Terra Lillie Reed, a student at the University of Oregon currently attending the University of Lyon in France. "And reed that boweth to every blast." - Chaucer, 1385. Memorial Services will be announced at a later date. French Mortuary 1111 University Blvd. NE (505) 843-6333 www.frenchmortuary.com
Milo Radulovich, who became a searing symbol of the excesses of anti-Communism in the 1950s when Edward R. Murrow broadcast an account of his firing as an Air Force reserve officer because of his relatives associations, died Monday in Vallejo, Calif. He was 81. The cause was complications of a stroke, his son-in-law Richard Ostrander said. Mr. Radulovichs tribulations began in August 1953, when he was a student at the University of Michigan, as he baby-sat and studied a physics book in his home in Dexter, Mich. Two Air Force officers came to his door and handed him an envelope. He opened it to read that he had been removed as an officer in the Air Force Reserve because he was a security risk. His own loyalty was not questioned. His father and sister were accused of being Communist sympathizers, and he was summarily judged to be risky by association. The case raised questions about balancing national security concerns and citizens rights after Mr. Murrow broadcast a report on Oct. 20, 1953. It appeared on the television newsmagazine program See It Now. Viewers responded by sending 8,000 letters and telegrams to CBS and Alcoa, the programs sponsor; the letters were 100 to 1 in support of Mr. Radulovich. Newspaper editorials rallied to his cause. Fred W. Friendly, producer of the program, called it the first time any of us appreciated the power of television. In 2005, the episode became a big part of a hit movie about Mr. Murrow and his CBS colleagues, Good Night, and Good Luck. Mr. Radulovich was a consultant for the film and appeared in original clips from the program. The Radulovich broadcast was the first salvo that See It Now fired against Senator Joseph R. McCarthy, Republican of Wisconsin, and his anti-Communist tactics. Although the case of Mr. Radulovich did not involve McCarthy, and the senator was not mentioned in relation to him, two later See It Now programs dealt directly with McCarthy. In 1998, the State Bar of Michigan honored the program about Mr. Radulovich with a plaque that reads, It is generally believed that the program was the beginning of the end for the McCarthy era. Milo John Radulovich was born in Detroit on Oct. 28, 1926. His father, John, a Serbian immigrant, was an autoworker. Milo was an aviation cadet at what was then Michigan State College before joining the Army Air Forces in 1944 and becoming a meteorologist. He did top-secret work in Greenland and was discharged as a first lieutenant in 1952. He then attended the University of Michigan on the G.I. Bill and was a lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. He learned that his father was suspect because he read a Slavic newspaper seen as pro-Communist. His sister was suspect because she had picketed a Detroit hotel that refused to lodge Paul Robeson, the renowned singer, who publicly admired Stalin. No way I would repudiate my family, Milo Radulovich told The Detroit News in 2005. I knew if my case went unresolved, the government could do this to anyone, anywhere. With the help of lawyers working free, Mr. Radulovich fought back. The Detroit News ran two articles about his case, the second of which Mr. Murrow read. He sent a crew to Michigan. When Mr. Friendly saw the film, he recognized it as both moving and volatile, according to a 2004 article in Quill magazine by Joseph Wershba, the reporter who went to Michigan. Youre fired, Mr. Friendly told the cameraman in a phone call. Im fired. Eds fired, but were going to turn out the greatest broadcast ever done on television. In the days before the broadcast, CBS executives grew skittish because of the dependence of Alcoa, the sponsor, on military contracts. The network refused to promote the program, so Mr. Murrow and Mr. Friendly put up $1,500 of their own money for an ad in The New York Times. The case against Lt. Milo Radulovich A0589839 it said. (The number was his serial number.) Mr. Radulovich was soon reinstated in the Reserve. He moved to California, and, after difficulty finding work, became a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Mr. Radulovich, who lived in Lodi, Calif., was divorced from his first wife, the former Nancy Tuttle; his second wife, the former Sheila Day, died about five years ago. He is survived by his daughters Katherine Radulovich of Sacramento, Janet Sweeney of Elk Grove, Calif., and Danica Berner of Bishop, Calif.; his brothers Sam and Walter, both of Detroit; and a grandson. Mr. Radulovich never doubted the value of his fight. In speeches he cited parallels to what he saw as similar infringements on liberties in the war on terrorism, saying, I feel I represent lots and lots of Americans who would have done the same thing.
George A. Castle, Lt Col USAF (Ret.) passed away at the age of 89 on October 29, 2007 in Shalimar, Florida. Fran Flesch states that "In the mid part of 2007, I located one of my previous commanders from Det 25, 10th Weather Sq, Nakhon Phanom RTAVB,Thailand and did in fact talk to him by phone. He remembered me after all the years that passed (June 67) and got enjoyment from me sending him an APR that was written on me by him. A couple weeks ago, I got word that he passed on. He was one of the forecasters back then that did not need a degree to become a Commander, an event which I was not aware of."
Walter F. Pitts passed away peacefully on October 22, 2007. He was born on April 2, 1924, in Waterville, Washington, to T.I. Pitts and Inez McLean Pitts. He moved to Olympia, in 1927, and spent his life between there and his second home in Seattle. Walt graduated from William Winlock Miller High School in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps Weather Service during World War II and upon his discharge attended college. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon and furthered his education at the University of Washington, School of Law. Walt was in private practice in Olympia for eight years and then began a career with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in Seattle. He held that position for 34 years until his retirement in 1994. Walt was an active member of the First Christian Church of Olympia, a member of the Washington State Bar Association for 54 years, the American Bar Association, and a staunch supporter of the University of Washington. He leaves behind his sister, Margaret Hanson; his niece, Joan White (Ron); niece-in-law, Patti Hanson; aunt, Margaret Hansen; three great nieces; one great nephew; one great-great niece; and two great-great nephews; and many cousins. Because Walt never married, his extended family was very important to him. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Joan Catherine; his brother-in-law, Robert Hanson; and his nephew, John Hanson. The family requests donations to be made to a favorite charity.
Col. Howard L. Rust, USAF (Ret.), died October 22, 2007, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Howard was born in Grove City Pennsylvania on July 25, 1922. He was the son of Walter J. Rust and Sara Uber Rust. He was the brother of Lucille Rust Brittain of Knoxville, Tenn., Walter J. Rust of Hollywood, FL and Wm. J. Rust of Platte City, MO. He also had a sister Geraldine and a brother Robert who are deceased. He married Erma Ralston in Greenville, Texas, July 24, 1943. The Rusts were blessed with three daughters, Dian Kress,Mayetta, Kansas, Suzan Hanamann, Mission, TX and Bonnie Sartain, Palm Desert, CA. and doubly blessed with 12 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. Howard joined the Army Air Force on July 7, 1942 and served in the Air Force twenty eight years. He was a veteran of WWII, the Korean Conflict, the Cuban Crisis, and the Vietnam War. His service decorations include The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star, The Air Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal plus ten other Theater and Country Service Medals. He retired with the rank of Colonel on July 1, 1970. Howard loved and trusted his God, whether it was a mission for the Air Force or a mission of life. He leaned heavily on this trust. "Rusty" did not fear death, he said, "That is the last great adventure God gives mankind; when man discovers everything is so simple. All you have to do is trust in him." He was a member of AWA, The First United Methodist Church, the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association, Retired officers Assoc., The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Karl Reidar (Jo) Johannessen, 90, who served for over two decades in the Air Weather Service, died on October 18 at Island Elder Care in Vashon, WA. His wife, Phoebe wrote, If you are in touch with any of the old cew perhaps you would let them know. Jo was surrounded in his death by Phoebe Johannessen and his children, Lisbeth (Johannessen) Brown, Erik Frith Johannessen, Sissel Johannessen and Jan Nils Johannessen. He is also survived by a sister, Agnes Astrup, twelve grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. His family wishes to thank Theresa, Praxy (Praxedes) and Johnny (Juanito) of Island Elder Care for their loving attendance and care, and the Hospice team for their kindness and assistance during Jo's last hours of Life. Karl was born in the town of Aalesund, Norway, matriculated from the gymnasium there, and earned his degree in Atmospheric Science and Meteorology from University of Oslo. Shortly thereafter WWII was declared and when Germany invaded Norway, Karl escaped on skis over the mountains to Sweden, where he taught mathematics in a school for Norwegian evacuees until he could make his way to England. There he joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force and became part of the British Met (Meteorological) Office. For the duration of the war, Norwegian Meteorologists successfully contributed to Upper Air Unit analyses important to the success of the Allied victory in Europe; Karl was a part of the team that developed the forecast crucial to the D-Day victory. In England, Jo met Phoebe Frith, also assigned to the Met Office, and they were married on May 9, 1945. Karl and Phoebe and their infant daughter returned to Norway in 1946, and Jo served in the Royal Norwegian Air Force as a meteorologist until 1951, when they and, now, three children, immigrated to the United States at the invitation of the American government. There he worked as a civilian meteorological consultant for/to the US Air Force at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, and his fourth child was born. In 1959 he received a Rockefeller Award for advanced study at the University of Chicago. He was subsequently employed by the United States Weather Bureau (later the National Weather Service of NOAA) as director of the North East Region, located in New York. He later became the Deputy Director for Operations at the National Weather Service headquarters in Silver Springs, Maryland, where he served until his retirement in 1981. Karl and Phoebe made their home in Vashon in 1992. Phoebe and her family will be at home to friends who wish to join them in a celebration of Jo's life, on Saturday, November 3, 2-5 PM.
Lt Col Billie E. Grubbs, USAF (Ret.), died October 16, 2007 in Madison, Alabama. He was 75.
Major Alma Gene McKemie, USAF (Ret.), 83, died October 15, 2007 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Gene was born in Christopher, Ill., to the late Thomas Merrill McKemie and Ava Akin McKemie. He served as a pilot and later as a meteorologist for the U.S. Air Force. Gene retired with 24 years of service in the Air Force on Oct. 31, 1966. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians and the Goldsboro Rotary Club. Gene is survived by his wife, Dorothy Lassiter McKemie; his daughter and son-in-law, Tami and David West of Goldsboro; his sons and daughter-in-law, James Patrick McKemie of Raleigh and Thomas E. and Babette McKemie of Raleigh; and his grandchildren, Ryan Miller, Kayla West, Corbin McKemie, Christian McKemie, Jason West and Eric West and wife, Amber.
From AWS Heritage 1937-1987
Harold Huntley Bassett
Major General, United States Air Force
Fourth and Ninth Commander of Air Weather Service
9 March 1943 - 9 January 1945
13 November 1958 - 31 October 1959
Retired from active duty in October 1959
Significant events during General Bassett's tenure as AWS Commander include establishment of a short-range forecast verification program (24-, 36-, and 48-hour), April 1943; inauguration of the USAF Strategic Facsimile Network which connected Global Weather Central, Offutt AFB NE with five other US weather centers on 15 February 1959; initiation of the operational numerical (computer) flight plan system on 15 may 1959; and activation of the first two weather squadrons (7th at Heidelberg, Germany, and the 16th at Fort Monroe, Virginia) for exclusive support of the U.S. Army on 8 July 1959.
Larry Carmack, 68, of New Athens, Ill., formerly of Belleville, Ill., born October 13, 1938 in Cardwell, MO., died Tuesday, October 2, 2007 at St. Elizabeths Hospital, Belleville, Ill. Larry Chief Carmack retired from the United States Air Force, after nearly 30 years of devoted service. He was a true believer of the military system of honor and respect. His love for family and country was above reproach. He will be missed by all that knew him. He was also a member of the 20 GWBs and the VFW Post 4183. He was preceded in death by his parents Clay & Lona, nee Marshall, Carmack, wife Jacqueline Jackie, nee Nevard, Carmack, who died October 23, 2001, a brother Wendell Carmack and a sister Barbara Nashif. Larry is survived by 4 children; Gary Carmack of Orlando, FL., Michael (Elizabeth) Carmack of Panama City, FL., Leslie (Edward) Dellamano of Belleville, Ill., Susan George of Belleville, Ill., 3 grandchildren; Rachel Carmack, Clifford Dellamano, Isabell Dellamano and many friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ALS. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.schildknechtfh.com. Visitation will be held Thursday, October 4, 2007 from 6-8 pm at Schildknecht Funeral Home, 301 S. Lincoln Avenue, OFallon, Ill. There will be a VFW service held at 7:00 pm. Funeral procession will leave Friday, October 5, 2007 at 8:45 am from Schildknecht Funeral Home for a 10:00 am graveside service at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
McAnally, Paul, Col USAF (Ret.) died of natural causes on September 30, 2007 in Winchester, VA. He was 88. Paul was born in Danville, IL, on September 8, 1919, to Gerald and May (Skadden) McAnally. He grew up in Canton, SD. At the age of two he won the blue ribbon for finest baby at the county fair. He went on to be the finest man any of us ever knew. Paul attended Morningside College in Sioux City, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1941. He served as a navigator in WWII, including the North African theater, and remained in the USAF for a career after the war, finally retiring as a colonel and commander of the 4th Weather Wing at Ent AFB in Colorado Springs in 1971. He was held in highest regard by the 4000 men under his command and countless others with whom he served. He married Ann Marie Knudsen of Bronson, Iowa, in July 1942. Together they raised three children at Air Force assignments around the country as well as overseas. Paul held masters degrees in meteorology from the University of Chicago and in counseling from the University of Arizona in Tucson. After his retirement from the Air Force, he taught junior high school in Tucson, AZ. He was a fabulous cornet player and a natural athlete. Ice hockey was his sport of choice in South Dakota in his youth, and later golf and especially tennis after he moved to warmer climates. He was always quick to lend a helping hand, served up with a dry wit that brought a smile to those around him. "Grand" didn't know how to turn down a charity. He will be missed by many. He is survived by his daughter, Kathleen of Winchester, VA; his son Tom in Seattle; his son, Gary of Sacramento, eight grandchildren and his sister, Helen in Denver.
Henry (Hank) W. Brandli, Satellite Meteorologist, died Wednesday 9/26/07 (5:04PM) at Wuestoff Hospital due to a long time battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He retired from the USAF as a Lt Colonel in 1976 (due to Multiple Sclerosis). Since his retirement he had been a consultant, instructor, and writer for a number of organizations including Harris Corporation, ERT, Swedish Air Force, TAS Lockheed and has written over 400 technical and free lance articles (too many to mention), including USAF's first book on "Satellite Meteorology". Hank had a Bachelor's degree cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Tufts University and two Master's degrees from MIT in Meteorology and Aeronautics/Astronautics. He was chairman of the Satellite Meteorology Committee of the National Weather Association. Hank was the "Weatherman", during Hurricane season the phone would ring off the hook, even surfers knew to "Ask Hank". He had a great sense of humor and was always the life of the party. He educated everyone through satellite images. Hank loved golf and all sports and was an accomplished basketball player. He was captain of the team at Boston Latin High School. He will be sorely missed! Hank is survived by wife Eleanor, and previous wife Bernadette, brother Paul and sister Donna. Children include: Elizabeth, Matthew and Pamela, Brian and Catherine and six grandchildren. He was preceded in death by oldest son Mark. Calling hours: Sunday 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Brownlie-Maxwell Funeral Home 1010 E. Palmetto Ave, Melbourne. In lieu of flowers please donate to local MS Society. Funeral Services are private for family only.
A Celebration of Life Service was held on 9/24/07 for CMSGT (Ret) Bertram R. Grigsby at the New Life Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Nebraska. Bertram Rhodes Grigsby died on September 17, 2007. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, January 4, 1931 to William Rhodes and Eloise Massey Grigsby. He was educated in Pittsburgh, Penn. public schools. On September 8, 1949, Bert enlisted in the newly formed United States Air Force. He served his country for 32 years, rising to the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His awards and decorations were many, from the Meritorius Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters to the AF Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters and a mixture of Air Force, Army and National Defense medals in between. After retiring from the Air Force, he attended Bellevue University graduating with a BA degree in 1984. He was employed at First Data Resources as a Trainer for 10 years. Bert taught Sunday School at Air Force chapels at many of the bases he was assigned. He joined Calvin Memorial Presbyterian Church in 1981 where he served as a Trustee. He later joined New Life Presbyterian Church, was ordained an Elder and served on the Session for six years. He was the Clerk of the Session for 5 years. He also chaired or served on numerous committees at the Church, the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, and the Synod of Lake and Prairies. And, from previous correspondence -- Interment was on Sept. 25 at Leavenworth National Cemetery in Leavenworth, Kan. Bertram is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marjorie; children, James L. and wife Tina of Sabastian, Fla., Janice M. Harper of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Joyce R. Grigsby of Minneapolis, Minn., Jeffrey K. Grigsby of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Janelle N. Shank, Eric K. Grigsby, Jillian A. Statmore, Sondra D. Grigsby, Joseph D. Harper, Ryan J. Grigsby, Caila M. Grigsby; great-grandchildren, Madeleine M. Dangerfield, Quentin K. Grigsby, Loki D. Statmore, Nadia D. Grigsby, Willow S. Statmore; sister, Lynneth S. Jones, Detroit, Mich.; brother, Toussaint L. and wife Colletta Grigsby of Reno, Nev.; sisters-in-law, Beatrice Rudd and Patricia Farmer both of Dayton, Ohio, Jeanette Poole of Pittsburgh, Penn.; daughter-in-law, Cynthia D. Grigsby, and many other relatives and friends. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or New Life Presbyterian Church.
Lt Col (ret) Gene Frey passed away at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs on Sunday, August 26. On Friday morning, August 24, he fell and hit his head at his home in Albuquerque while he and his wife, Jan, prepared to drive to the Springs for the 50th wedding anniversary celebration of Col (ret) George and Roxanne Hammond. Gene seemed ok but complications developed during the trip due to internal bleeding and he required hospitalization by the time they arrived in the Springs. Gene was assigned to the University Of Chicago for undergraduate meteorology; Wright-Patterson AFB Ohio; Sidi Slimane, Morocco; Severe Storms Center at Kansas City; University of Michigan (graduate school); Qui Nhon, Viet Nam; Stuttgart, Germany (EUCOM), RAF Croughton, England, Hq AWS at Scott AFB; and Kirtland AFB NM. He retired from the Air Force in 1978; and worked with an engineering firm in Albuquerque; and worked 7 years for the University of New Mexico Engineering Research Institute (NUMERI), and seven years for the City of Albuquerque in Public Works. He completely retired about 1992. On September 7, a memorial service will be held in Albuquerque and a military honors ceremony will be held at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Jan can be reached at ewjifrey@comcast.net.
Joseph M. Dougherty, 88, of Glendale, Arizona passed away peacefully on July 15, 2007. Joe was born in Du Bois, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1919, the eldest son of Edward and Lillian Dougherty. Raised in Du Bois, he graduated from St. Catherine's High School in 1939 and attended the University of Detroit. In 1941 he enlisted in the U.S. Army-Air Force, starting a long career in weather forecasting. In 1943, Joe married Marcella R. O'Leary of Punxsutawney, PA, his life-long wife of 64 years. Together, they had five sons: Patrick, Michael (Gilda), Timothy (Suka), Shawn, and Daniel. Joe served his country for thirty years as a meteorologist and hurricane hunter and attained the rank of Chief Warrant Officer (CWO-4). Joe retired from the Air Force in 1971 at Luke Air Force Base and settled in Glendale. He worked as a meteorologist at KOOL Television (Channel 10) from 1972 until his retirement in 1984.Joe's family wishes to thank the many people who cared for Joe during his illness, especially the wonderful staff, nurses, and doctors at the Arizona State Veteran's Home. Joseph is survived by his wife, Marcella; brother, Edward Dougherty of Silver Springs, Maryland; four sons, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Visitation was Thursday, July 19, 2007 from 5 until 8 PM at Chapel of the Chimes Mortuary, 7924 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, with Rosary at 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass was at 10:30 AM, Friday, July 20 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 5614 W. Orangewood Ave., Glendale, Arizona. Private interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Avondale.
Captain Harry Wayne Brown, Jr. passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2007 in Galveston, Texas. He was born on a cold and frosty morning on a plantation near Dixie, Louisiana, December 3, 1927 to his parents, Lucille McGuffey and Harry Wayne Brown, Sr. He attended and completed elementary and high school in New Orleans, La. After graduation he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps, took training in Meteorology and spent two years in the Tropics doing Harbor Research and Tracking. After his service in WWII, he attended Centenary College earning his B.S. degree and Louisiana State University earning his M.A. degree. In 1951, while attending college, he was called to active duty in the U.S. Air Force. Following college he became a Safety Engineer for an oil company working over a period of 35 years to Assistant Chairman of the Board of Penzoil Exploration and Production Company. He became an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, attending schools and assignments while employed. From 1977 to 1980, he served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of RTU Galveston. During this period he volunteered to bring "Elissa" back to Galveston and assisted in her restoration. He served as an Adjunct Professor at Centenary College of Louisiana and Galveston College. In 1982, he was asked to return to active duty with responsibility for Offshore Fund Management and Base Operations. While on base, in New Orleans, he was honored by his Chief Petty Officers by being made an Honorary Chief Petty Officer 27 Chiefs signed his appointment. Medals while in service: WWII victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Humanitarian service Medal with Bronze Star, Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation with "O" device and two Bronze Stars and Coast Guard Medals Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship Ribbon with Bronzes. He retired in 1985 and moved back to Galveston to help bring "Elissa" to Texas. In addition to volunteering on "Elissa", he served on the Galveston Wharves Board, Appraisal Review Board, Traffic Commission and Charter Review Committee, Prevent Blindness Texas Board, President of Texas Navy Association, Chairman of the Galveston Council of the Navy League, Off Shore Energy Center Board of Directors, Commissioning Committee "USS Ross", and "USS Texas". He was appointed by Governor Anne Richards to the Oil spill oversight Committee and by Governor Bush and Perry to the Galveston Texas City Pilots Commission serving 8 years as Chairman. He also served as Chairman of Galveston Wharves Advisory Board and Past Chairman Galveston Military Affairs Committee. He is a member of the US Naval order, The Great Houston Council of the Navy League, Master Mariners of America, Coast Guard Officers Club, The Yacht Club of Galveston, American Legion, Sunday Morning Coffee Club and American Society of Safety Engineers. He played a prominent part in bringing the Flight Museum and the Offshore Energy Rig to Galveston. He made arrangements through Council General of Denmark to bring the "Christian Radick" to Galveston for a day sail to let people know what "Elissa" would be like. One guest of the sail, got off and donated "1,000,000.00. He made arrangements to have "Elissa" berthed at the Old Southern Pacific Docks for her initial repairs on her arrival from Greece. She remained there for 18 months with water, electricity and port-a-cans provided by Duval Corp., a company he was affiliated with. Appointed as Honorary Ambassador of Galveston, he was responsible for acquiring the highly sought return of "USS Galveston" Silver Service from Washington, DC. He was presented with the Silver Service polished and preserved and selected the Rosenberg Library for its display. He served on Advisory Boards at Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, La., University of Southwestern Louisiana at Lafayette, La., Texas A & M at College Station, Tx., Baylor College at Waco, Tx., and Advisor to Kincaid School at Houston, Tx. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Rebecca Brown Dokken. He is survived by his wife Francis Austin Brown; son Harry Wayne Brown, III; daughter Jennifer Anne Patton and husband Mark; grandchildren Eric Wayne Brown, Kare'lia Brown, Krystal Brown, James Dokken, 2nd Lt. Christopher Dokken, Rachel Patton and Chase Patton; great granddaughter Larissa Larae Brown; close nephew Ken Greaf; numerous other nieces and nephews; step-children Patti Morningstar and husband Michael, Dee Austin, Julia Church, Leisa Austin; step-grandchildren Nicole Morningstar Mathews and husband Russell, Alexander Morningstar, 2nd Lt. Micah Morningstar, Jessica Alexander and husband Shane, Jaclyn Austin, Dara Austin; great grandson Riley Mathews; and numerous nieces and nephews. He will be truly missed by his many friends whose lives he touched and influenced through the years. Needless to say, he loved Galveston, Texas and served her well. The family extends a special Thank You to all the nurses, doctors and staff for their care of Harry Brown, and their kindness and support to his family during his long stay at John Sealy Hospital. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to "Elissa", Offshore Energy Center, Prevent Blindness of Texas, The Heart Foundation.
James F. Mattingly Jr., 87,devoted husband, father and grandpa, was mercifully released from the grip of Alzheimer's disease on June 20, 2007. Jim was born in Louisville, Ky on May 19, 1920 to Lissetta (Nicholas) and James F. Mattingly Sr. He graduated from Jefferson County High School in Louisville and worked in several jobs before joining the Army Air Corps in July 1943 and earned his pilot wings and pinned on 2nd Lt in Apr 1945. His first duty station was Truax Field, Wisconsin, near Stoughton, where he met the farmer's daughter, Harriet Berkins and married her after a whirlwind 3-month courtship in Aug 1945. They began a 31-year journey in the Air Force that took them to Germany twice, the Far East and many stateside assignments. Due to a RIF after WWII, he became a Master Sergeant and entered the meteorology career field. During the Korean War, he was re-commissioned as a Capt in the weather field. Although he remained in the Air Weather Service most of his career, he did have one tour of duty flying WB-50s out of Yokota AB,Japan which he dearly loved. He also managed to fly base flight aircraft during every assignment. His final assignment was as Director of Operations, 4th Weather Wing at Peterson AFB. Flying was Jim's greatest love, besides Harriet and Chris. Later in life, he enjoyed golf, but he always enjoyed giving others a helping hand. He is predeceased by his parents; daughter, Mary; and brother, Don Mattingly of Louisville, KY. He is survived by his wife of nearly 62 years, Harriet, and son, Chris (Lori), and four grandsons, Ian, Christopher, Peter and Brian. A memorial service will be held at the Shrine of Remembrance "America the Beautiful" Chapel of Roses,1730 East Fountain Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO, on June 30, 2007 at 2:00pm A tribute to Jim's life will be held at the USAFA Officer's Club at 3:30pm. Family members extend their deepest gratitude to Pikes Peak Hospice for their tremendous support, dedication and compassionate care. God bless you all.
Col.James Thomas Barrett, Jr., of Douglas AZ, passed away on April 10, 2007 after a courageous struggle with lung cancer. Jim was born January 3, 1929 in Weleetka OK to Tom and Katherine Barrett. He joined the Air Force in 1948 and trained as a weather forecaster. In 1953, he entered Aviation Cadets and became a 1st Lt and pilot flying B-25s. He was a veteran of Korea and Vietnam having served in Okinawa and at Da Nang, RVN. For two years he served as a television weathercaster on Armed Forces Radio and Television. He was also a cold war veteran serving as a satellite imagery analyst and the Air Force's first NCO Computer Systems Analyst until his military retirement in August 1971 as a SMSgt. In 1973 he worked at the Phelps Dodge smelter in the air quality control department and retired in 1987 as the Chief Meteorologist. He taught aviation meteorology at Cochise College for two years and then returned to Phelps Dodge to work on a special project at the Playas, NM smelter. There, he developed a smoke dispersion model that saved thousands of jobs by keeping the copper mines open. On January 3, 1982, he married Lydia Enriquez Ebner and they shared his remaining years finishing careers, building a cabin in the Chiricahua Mountains, and enjoying their grandchildren. Jim also had a hobby of carving finely detailed painted birds of Southern Arizona. Jim had a deep appreciation of science. He enjoyed sitting out on a starry night, watching the sky and discussing the possibilities and vastness of the universe. There was very little he could not repair or build and he taught his family to be self-sufficient and to help others by living that example. He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Loretta and son James. He is survived by his loving wife Lydia, sons Mark (Kay), Neil (Allison), Scott (Lana), Charles Ebner (Juanita), Joe Ebner (Sylvia) and daughter Diane Duarte (Rick); grand children Katrina, Linda, Ricky, Crystal, Lydia, Kaeli, Stephanie, Hunter and Troy; and great grandchildren Rene, Trystin and Jersey. A Mass of the Resurrection was held on April 14, 2007 at Saint Luke's Catholic Church and Internment followed at the Calvary Cemetery with military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Douglas Run-Walk for the Cure, 2902 15th Street, Douglas AZ 85607.
Karen Ann Friday passed away peacefully from this world into the waiting arms of our Savior Jesus Christ at Fairfax Hospital on March 21, 2007, after a long bout with cancer. She was 66 at the time of her death. Born on December 3, 1940, she was the second child of Thomas W Hauschild and Gladys Rusch Hauschild. In November, 1959, she married Elbert W. (Joe) Friday. Joe credits her with unfailing love and support during his 20-year Air Force career and his 17 years as Deputy Director and Director of the National Weather Service, and throughout the rest of their 47 and a half year marriage. Karen was an able head of the household as Joe served in Vietnam and as other duties took him away for weeks at a time. Karen was a devout member of Calvary Christian Church in Burke, Virginia. Her hobbies included working in stained glass, sewing, gardening and, most importantly, loving her grandchildren. She is survived by her husband, Dr. E. W. (Joe) Friday of Lorton, VA; her brother, Tom Hauschild of Moore, Oklahoma; two daughters, Kristine Ahlskog of Springfield, VA, and Kelly Crow of Herndon, VA; and five grandchildren. The family will be able to greet friends on Tuesday, March 27 from 6PM to 8PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Rd, Springfield, VA. A celebration of her life will be held on Wednesday, March 28 at Calvary Christian Church, 9800 Old Keene Mill Rd, Burke, VA. Interment will be held later at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to Calvary Christian Church or to the charity of your choice are encouraged. Thanks for all your support.. E W (Joe) Friday
Donald Sakanich passed away Tuesday, March 20th, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Don was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 23, 1928, to John and Mary Sakanich. Don lost his mother when he was a young child. His dad remarried and his father and stepmother, Mary, lovingly raised Don. In 1947, Don graduated from high school and joined the Air Force. During his term in the military, Don also attended Texas A & M, where he graduated in 1957. Don served his country for 32 years, flying missions in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars and as a member of the Hurricane Hunters. He retired from the military in 1979 after achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Don returned to school, where he obtained his teaching certificate. He went on to teach math at Millard South High School where he remained for 14 years. Don remained very active after his retirement, traveling frequently with Dottie to visit family members throughout the country. Don was a devoted husband, loving father and loyal friend and will be truly missed by many. Don is preceded in death by his parents, John and Mary Sakanich and stepmother Mary. He is survived by wife, Dorothy "Dottie" and daughters and sons-in law, Donna and Richard Benham, Decatur, TX; Linda and Jimmy Chandler, Clinton, AR; Barbara Baker and special friend, Steve Svoboda, Omaha, NE; Cindy and Mark Smith, Chandler, AZ; and son and daughter-in-law Keith and Karen Dunlap, Scottsdale, AZ. Don was a wonderful grandfather to 12 and great-grandfather to six. Visitation will be held at Kahler-Dolce Mortuary, Papillion, NE on Thursday, March 22, from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m., with the family receiving friends from 2:00 - 4:00. Funeral services will be held at Capehart Chapel, 25th and Capehart Road, Bellevue, NE on Friday, March 23, at 2:00 p.m., with visitation one hour prior. Internment to follow at Cedardale Cemetery, Papillion, NE. Memorials to the American Cancer Society.
Col. George Anderson Guy, Sr., 92, died 23 February 2007 in Solona Beach, Calif. He was founder and Program Manager of the project known as the Weather Observing and Forecasting System. (Nicknamed 433L, it became a 14-year joint program of both the Department of Defense and the National Weather Service.) 433L is probably, still today, the most extensive, far reaching, and overall effort ever undertaken anywhere, fully to automate weather service, beginning from automating weather observing, then automatically processing and predicting the weather observed and ending up with the tailoring of the predicted weather to the particular needs of its final user. And through that effort -- impossible and unsuccessful as it turned out to be, George Guy became widely known, admired and enormously respected by many, many persons throughout all the atmospheric sciences, throughout government, industry and the academic fields. Col. Guy was born on November 10, 1914 in Love Station, Mississippi. In 1932, he graduated from Memphis Technical High School; and from Memphis State University with a B.S., in 1936. In 1940, he started out as a sanitation engineer for the Mississippi State Board of Health. But, he entered the AAF in December 1942 as an Aviation Cadet in meteorology at MIT and was commissioned as a weather officer in April 1943, whereupon he was assigned to the 18th Weather Squadron in England. After short, post WWII assignments at Albany, Georgia and Turner AFB, George went to UCLA; where,in Sept. 1947, he got his MA in meteorology and was assigned to McDill AFB. In November 1947, he entered the Weather Officers' Equipment Engineering Course. In November 1948 he was assigned at Andrews Air Force Base to Hq. AWS and worked there directly under Dr. Sverre Petterssen as Chief of Meteorological Equipment Development. In June 1952, he was assigned to the Air Research and Development Command (later, the Air Force Systems Command) at Baltimore, Maryland as Chief of Meteorological Equipment Development, where he worked for Col Ben Holzman, under B/Gen Don Yates. In June 1957, George was assigned to the Geophysical Research Directorate at Bedford, Massachusettss as the 433L Program Manager. In October 1958, he was assigned to the Electronics Systems Division when it was established, continuing as the 433L Director. In 1959 433L was expanded as a joint program for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Weather Bureau. Until then, it was the largest Federally funded program. In August 1962, George graduated from ICAF, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, earning also his second MA degree, from George Washington U. He ended his military career as the program manager for the Air Force Tactical Command and Control System at ESD, the Electronics Systems Division of AFSC. After retirement from USAF, he worked the next 15 years for the Ground Systems Division of Hughes Aircraft Company, in Program Planning and Systems Administration. He retired, finally, in 1991. He settled in Solana Beach, near La Jolla, California. There he became a volunteer finance manager and computer guru for Park Del Mar and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Dieguito. Col. Guy is survived by his second wife, Alice, of 38 years; daughter Patricia Hecht of Philadelphia; grandsons David Hecht of Roswell, GA and Stephen Hecht of S.D.; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Lucille Guy of Coppell, TX; and two great-grandchildren, Carrie Anne and Justin. Submitted by: Robert C. Bundgaard
Col. Joseph Marston Bird (USAF, Ret.), 88, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007 at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. A native of Maplewood, N.J., he had been a resident of Potomac, Md. for 23 years before retiring to Williamsburg. After a career in the United States Air Force that spanned over 30 years, and obtaining the rank of Colonel, he retired in 1972. During his career he was awarded several commendations including the Legion of Merit Award, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was a graduate of Dartmouth College, Georgetown University, M.I.T., and the Air War College. Joe was a member of St. Frances Episcopal Church in Potomac, Md. for 23 years and served as treasurer for 13 of those years. Surviving members of his family include his wife, Roberta B. Bird; sons, Taylor Jones, Joseph M. Bird Jr., and Stephen W. Bird; daughter, Debra E. McDonald; grandchildren, Heather M. Bird, Jesse S. Bird, Michaela A. Bird, and Victoria B. McDonald; and brother, Robert E. Bird. A service of remembrance will take place 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Patriots Colony. Burial will be 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 27 in Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Joseph M. Bird; 1940 Dartmouth College Memorial Fund Scholarship, Gift Recording Office, 6066 Development Office, Hanover, NH 03755. Nelsen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be registered at www.nelsenfh.com.
Leonard M. Dalton, CMSgt (Ret.) 76, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz. and Boise, Idaho passed away in Boise, Idaho at the VA Regional Medical Center on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007. He was born to Joseph and Stella Dalton on Aug. 28, 1930 in Los Angles, Calif. Leonard and his wife, Phyllis, were married on Nov. 23, 1950 at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, Calif. He spent over 20 years as a meteorologist in the United States Air Force and after retirement as a Chief Master Sergeant, he continued his career with the National Weather Service in Pocatello, Idaho. In 1968 Leonard and Phyllis moved to Pingree, Idaho were they raised their children on a cow/calf ranch. Leonard was a lifetime member of the Elks Lodge in Blackfoot, Idaho. He also enjoyed spending time as a ham radio operator and fishing. Leonard and Phyllis spent many winters in Quartzsite, Ariz. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; four children, Gary Dalton (Louise), Linda Albi (Todd), Don Dalton (Linda) and Chere Parker (Cody); one brother, Robert D. Dalton, and 10 grandchildren, Julie Dalton, Jenelle Dalton, Dawn Marie Dalton, Sarah Albi, Maiah Albi, John Dalton, Keegan Albi, Colin Albi, Ian Parker and Isaac Parker. Graveside inurnment services will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19, 2007, at the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors in Boise, Idaho. Memorial contributions may be made to your local Hospice organizations or to the American Heart Association. Services are under the direction of Cloverdale Funeral Home.