Closing the Flight Plan

John William Lowe, 91, Col, US Army (Retired) of Mechanicsburg, PA, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, in the Holy Spirit Medical Center. He was born on June 17, 1934, in Providence, RI, to the late Joseph A. and Jane (Crowley) Lowe and was the widower of Marilyn (Merz) Lowe, Lt. Col, US Army (Retired), who passed away in February of 2017. During John’s long career in the US Army, he served as a Medevac helicopter pilot in Korea and Vietnam, Executive to the US Army Su

Henry was born in Florida on February 15, 1945. He filed his final flight plan in Westlake Village, CA on December 20, 2025 at the age of 80. He was a highly respected DUSTOFF pilot with the 45th Medical Company (AA) in mid-1968 until early 1970. After completing his Army service, Harry completed his undergraduate and MBA degrees at Miami of Ohio University. Then Harry spent his career as a commercial banker. He is survived by his wife, Velma, who he met in Vietnam where she

Keith Edwards Copeland, age 85, of Saint Robert, Missouri passed away on November 1, 2025, at Osage Beach Rehabilitation and Health Care, following a long battle with cancer. He was born on February 2, 1940, in Raymondville, Missouri, son of Carlos F. and Virginia (Edwards) Copeland. Keith was united in marriage to Alberta June Terrill in 1963, and had three sons: Bryan, Kevin, and Steven. He spent his early youth as a hardworking farmer, horseman, and carpenter. As a young a

Robert David Rose, age 85 of Winchester, passed away peacefully on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at the Col. Robert L. Howard State Home in Pell City, Alabama. Robert was born on November 4, 1939, in Decherd, to the late William “Bill” and Eunice (Clark) Rose. He served his country for twenty-two years as a decorated Army officer. During his military career, he earned his master’s degree from Baylor University in the health care field. He was hospital administrator for Winn Army H

April 12, 1949 — June 27, 2025 It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of LTC Lee Smith, who peacefully departed this life on June 27, 2025. Born on April 12, 1949, Lee was a beloved husband, father, brother, and friend who left a deep imprint on the lives of those he touched. Lee was the devoted husband of Vickie Smith and was a loving father to his children, Dr. Lane Smith and Dr. Lynn Garza. He raised and was the proud father of Vickie's sons from her first ma

James Richard Claywell, CPA, CVA passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025. Richard was born June 30, 1949 in Moberly Missouri to parents James Edward Claywell and Dorothy Agnus (Curry) Claywell. He is preceded in death by his son Ritchie Claywell, his parents, and his brother, Randy Claywell, Survivors include his wife Ethel Anna Claywell, his beloved dog Cody, his sister Melany James and several cousins, nieces and nephews, Richard was a 1968 graduate of Texas City High School, g

July 15, 1940 - March 30, 2025 COL Timothy Jackman, life member of the DUSTOFF Association, died peacefully on Sunday, March 30, 2025. He was born in 1940 in Madison, Wisconsin, the son of Judge W.L. Jackman and Jeanne D. Jackman. Tim attended Lakewood School, Wisconsin High School, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, and Milton College. He earned degrees from Milton College and the U.S. Army-Baylor Program where he received his Masters Degree in Health Care Administration

Jeff Norton, 75, of Bremen, died on February 5, 2025, departing this life in response to the call from his Savior, Jesus Christ, with whom he now resides for eternity. He was born to John and Caroline (Hemingway) Norton and was the brother of John, Paul, and Ellen. Jeff loved his wife, his family, his church families, and his country. He entered the US Army as a private in Ft. Polk, Louisiana in 1971 and retired 28.5 years later as a Lieutenant Colonel, having served as an e

Dr. Samuel Baggett McLamb. Jr., 80, of the Rock Ridge Community, passed away peacefully at home on January 30, 2024. The visitation will be 12:30-2:00 PM, Friday, February 2, 2024, at Wilson Memorial Service followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 2:00 PM. Entombment with military honors will be in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson. Service and dedication to aiding others were integral in every part of Sam’s life. Born to Samuel and Merle McLamb in 1943, Sam was raised in

Canadian Press PARIS (AP) — Valérie André, a French aviator and parachutist who became the first woman to become a general officer in France, has died. She was 102. France's ministry of armies and the French presidency said André died on Jan. 21. André, who had a medicine degree and flew for the first time as a teenager, combined her two passions and became a military doctor, serving in Indochina and later in Algeria. “Despite the danger, exhaustion, harsh conditions, and the

After a full life of adventure, hard work, family, and faith, John Clay "Jack" Tragis passed away on Dec. 21, 2024, in Aurora, Colorado, where he had been living for the past year and a half. Jack was born on Aug. 26, 1939, right on his grandfather's kitchen table. Growing up in Detroit shaped so much of who he became, and the strong foundation he built at Detroit Catholic Central High School stayed with him for life. After serving a tour in Korea as a corporal in the U.S. Ar

Curtis Autry Laird, Sr. Curtis Autry Laird, Sr., a cherished resident of Dayton, TX, passed away peacefully at home on December 4, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 20, 1939, in Dayton, he led a life rich in service, dedication, and accomplishment. Curtis' education began in Dayton, where he graduated from Dayton High School in the class of 1958. He furthered his studies at the University of the State of New York, graduating in 1977. His commitment to l

He's a member of the DUSTOFF Hall of Fame - read about his citation HERE. On Sunday, September 1, 2024, David Dee Dryden passed away peacefully with his wife and two children by his side. Born in Sioux City, Iowa on December 16, 1935, David was the eldest of six children. His parents, Jack and Elizabeth St. George Dryden, preceded him in death. His was a life of service and dedication. David was raised in South Sioux City, Nebraska in a newspaper family, and attended schoo

Howard Richard Deck was born on November 29, 1937. His parents were Walter Vernon Deck and Gertrude Stewart Deck in McEwen, Tennessee. Howard was voted Mister McEwen High in his senior year. He attended George Peabody College and Vanderbilt University where he was voted Mr. Peabody in his senior year. This is where he met Sonja Elizabeth Horton in her Freshman year. They were married on June 2, 1961, and had two sons – Howard Richard Deck, Jr. and Mitchell Bradford Deck. Thei

LTC Percy George Hurtado Senior U.S. Army (Ret.), a distinguished Army veteran, aviator, and devout Catholic, passed away peacefully with his wife and his 2 Boston Terrier’s, Ace and Bogey by his side on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on April 19, 1938, in Rugby, Colorado to Anna and Porfirio Hurtado. His life, marked by service, dedication, and faith, leaves an enduring legacy. George (also called Percy by family and friends) pursued a career in

Dennis Duggan July 20, 1946 - July 2, 2024 Dennis Duggan, loving husband, father, and grandfather died peacefully at his home in San Antonio, Texas on July 2, 2024. Dennis lived his life in service to others and will be remembered as a kind, generous, and thoughtful man. Dennis was born in Columbus, Ohio on July 20, 1946, to John and Josephine (Kirwin) Duggan. He graduated from Ohio Dominican College in 1969 and began his military career as an officer in the Army Medical Serv

December 31, 1948 — May 31, 2024 Brentwood, TN Gregory Allen Simpson, 75, of Brentwood, TN was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on May 31, 2024 in Nashville, TN. Greg dedicated his life to serving his family, his country, his work, and The Lord. Greg was born in 1948 in Crookston, Minnesota to the late Jesse W. Simpson and the late Muriel St. John. The third of four children, Greg and his family moved to Tennessee in 1962. He graduated from Antioch High School in 1967, and in

Colonel (Ret) James Joseph Truscott, age 83, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, in Richardson, Texas. Known to the world as Jim, he was born on December 5, 1940, in Shawnee, OK to parents Eugene and Mary Katherine Truscott. Jim was a career officer and distinguished DUSTOFF Medevac pilot. Serving two tours in Vietnam, he flew more than 2000 combat missions and evacuated 5,232 patients. In his more than 30 years of service he was awarded, among others, the Silver Star,

Chester Crump Jr, born February 16, 1948, passed away at 75 years old, in his home in New Braunfels, TX on January 21, 2024. He leaves behind his wife Tran Crump. His daughter Lytrell Williams and husband Layfette. Two sons Chester III and wife Pandora, and Gregory and wife Valerie. Three grandchildren Hailee (Lytrell’s daughter), and Logan and Lilly (Gregory’s son and daughter). He also leaves behind his sisters Jean Bailey and Shirley Crump, his brother Jack and wife Debra,

CW4 (Ret) Lester William Howard Sibert, 79, of Overland Park, Kansas, closed his final flight plan on January 7, 2024, at KC Hospice House. Les was born on February 7, 1944, to Lester Henry and Charlotte (Preston) Sibert in Kansas City, Missouri where he spent his childhood. Les began his fascination with flying and learned to fly at the Johnson County Executive Airport. His lifelong love of flying began there in the mid-1960s. Les retired from the U.S. Army after 25 years o