Del Ryland (97th) - December 6th, 2018
Del Ryland was born November 15th, 1921 in De Smet South Dakota and was raised on the family farm. Del served his country proudly in WWII in the Army Air Corps as a P-38 Pilot. After graduating from St. Olaf College he spend his entire career in the automobile industry. Del was the dealer of Ryland Ford in Duluth Minnesota for 30 years. In 1994 Del and Mary retired in Scottsdale Arizona. He loved to hunt, fist, and spend time with his family. Del and Mary were devoted members of first Lutheran Church in Duluth, and later at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church.
Del is survived by sons David (Christine) of Ardmore Oklahoma and Stephen (Debbie) of Fountain Hills Arizona; and grandson Erik of Las Vegas Nevada. Del's beloved wife Mary and grandson Jeffrey proceeded his death in 2010. A veteran's graveside burial ceremony will be held, TBD, in De Smet.
Del is survived by sons David (Christine) of Ardmore Oklahoma and Stephen (Debbie) of Fountain Hills Arizona; and grandson Erik of Las Vegas Nevada. Del's beloved wife Mary and grandson Jeffrey proceeded his death in 2010. A veteran's graveside burial ceremony will be held, TBD, in De Smet.
Cowen Ward, Jr - November 18th, 2018
Lute Thompson took an honor flight with Cowen Ward, Jr over the battlefield re-enactment at the National Museum of the Pacific in Fredricksburg, TX during the 2018 reunion in San Antonio. A month later, Cowen was killed in a crash while honoring another WWII Vet. Below is a tribute to Cowen written by Savanna Gregg, Staff Writer, The Highlander (Burnet, TX).
Pilots, aviation fans, and Veterans are mourning the loss of well-known and beloved Burnet pilot Cowden Ward Jr. after his P-51D Mustang, “Pecos Bill,” crashed into a Fredericksburg apartment complex parking lot on Saturday, Nov. 17, killing him and his passenger, a World War II Veteran.
Ward, known for his love for aviation and his non-profit organization “Freedom Flyers,” dedicated his time to the nation's World War II Veterans by offering them free flights in Pecos Bill, his way of giving thanks to those who protected our freedoms so long ago.
Ward had recently begun offering flights to Korean and Vietnam War Veterans, as well as Veterans suffering from PTSD after the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, expanding his motivational reach to many people and making a difference in close to 140 Veterans' lives.
Pilots, aviation fans, and Veterans are mourning the loss of well-known and beloved Burnet pilot Cowden Ward Jr. after his P-51D Mustang, “Pecos Bill,” crashed into a Fredericksburg apartment complex parking lot on Saturday, Nov. 17, killing him and his passenger, a World War II Veteran.
Ward, known for his love for aviation and his non-profit organization “Freedom Flyers,” dedicated his time to the nation's World War II Veterans by offering them free flights in Pecos Bill, his way of giving thanks to those who protected our freedoms so long ago.
Ward had recently begun offering flights to Korean and Vietnam War Veterans, as well as Veterans suffering from PTSD after the Iraqi and Afghanistan wars, expanding his motivational reach to many people and making a difference in close to 140 Veterans' lives.
Jerry Powell (97th) - September 14th, 2017
The world has lost another WWII hero with the death of Jerry on September 14th, 2017.
He formed an early love for flying, took lessons and became a cadet. When WWII started he was able to join the Army Air Force. Jerry flew 57 missions in a P38 (his first love). He was stationed in Foggia Italy and flew the Rhine Land. Following the war, Jerry finished his schooling and the University of Nebraska where he earned degrees in mechanical and commercial engineering. While there, he was a member of the Air National Guard and was the governor's pilot. He worked 30 years for Amoco Oil (Standard Oil of Indiana) as am engineer and manager.
In the 82nd Fighter Group Association he is survived by his wife Nan, son Steve. He also leaves sone Rick, eight grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
He formed an early love for flying, took lessons and became a cadet. When WWII started he was able to join the Army Air Force. Jerry flew 57 missions in a P38 (his first love). He was stationed in Foggia Italy and flew the Rhine Land. Following the war, Jerry finished his schooling and the University of Nebraska where he earned degrees in mechanical and commercial engineering. While there, he was a member of the Air National Guard and was the governor's pilot. He worked 30 years for Amoco Oil (Standard Oil of Indiana) as am engineer and manager.
In the 82nd Fighter Group Association he is survived by his wife Nan, son Steve. He also leaves sone Rick, eight grandchildren and 24 great grandchildren.
Albert “Al” J. Campbell – March 5, 1919 – June 6, 2015
He worked for 51 years as a college professor touching the lives of students at Los Angeles Harbor College, Marymount College, and El Camino College. He had a passion for golf and took every opportunity to pass his skills down to the future generations.
Albert served in the Army Air Corp as a P-38 Pilot and was a P.O.W. in Germany during WWII. He was actively involved in the P-38 Association and 82nd Fighter Group.
Albert is survived by his two children: Chip and Traci, and five grandchildren: Tamara, Cody, Tessa, Ashlyn, and Jake.He was preceded in death by his daughter, Charlotte Jean.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out in his name to: P-38 National Association P.O. Box 6453, March ARB, CA 92518
A public memorial service will be held at 11am on July 8th at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes. – See more at: Greenhillsmortuary.com
Albert served in the Army Air Corp as a P-38 Pilot and was a P.O.W. in Germany during WWII. He was actively involved in the P-38 Association and 82nd Fighter Group.
Albert is survived by his two children: Chip and Traci, and five grandchildren: Tamara, Cody, Tessa, Ashlyn, and Jake.He was preceded in death by his daughter, Charlotte Jean.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made out in his name to: P-38 National Association P.O. Box 6453, March ARB, CA 92518
A public memorial service will be held at 11am on July 8th at Green Hills Memorial Park, Rancho Palos Verdes. – See more at: Greenhillsmortuary.com
Lt. Col. Heber M. Butler 1921-2012
Michael Butler writes:
This is to inform you of the passing of Lt Col Heber M Butler on 30 March 2012, and his wife, Martena T Butler on 7 June 2012.
Lt Col Butler served combat tours in North Africa, Korea, and South Viet Nam. The fighter aircraft he flew were P-38, F-86, and F-100. His wife Martena rode a train from Sacramento CA to Florida where they were married 5 days before he departed with his brother Richard enroute via England to their assignment to P-38s with the 82nd. She supported him throughout their marriage ~70 years by making homes for him and their 8 children in a dozen different locations over the course of his career as a flying NCO in the US Army Air Corps and Commissioned Officer in the USAF.
The pilots of four F-16s from Hill AFB did an absolutely magnificent job of a flying a “missing man” formation over Heber’s burial ceremonies in a window of clear sky that opened just 15 minutes before, then closed again just 15 minutes after their flyover.
Read Heber M. Butler’s obituary.
Read more about Butler’s 33-year military career.
This is to inform you of the passing of Lt Col Heber M Butler on 30 March 2012, and his wife, Martena T Butler on 7 June 2012.
Lt Col Butler served combat tours in North Africa, Korea, and South Viet Nam. The fighter aircraft he flew were P-38, F-86, and F-100. His wife Martena rode a train from Sacramento CA to Florida where they were married 5 days before he departed with his brother Richard enroute via England to their assignment to P-38s with the 82nd. She supported him throughout their marriage ~70 years by making homes for him and their 8 children in a dozen different locations over the course of his career as a flying NCO in the US Army Air Corps and Commissioned Officer in the USAF.
The pilots of four F-16s from Hill AFB did an absolutely magnificent job of a flying a “missing man” formation over Heber’s burial ceremonies in a window of clear sky that opened just 15 minutes before, then closed again just 15 minutes after their flyover.
Read Heber M. Butler’s obituary.
Read more about Butler’s 33-year military career.
William E. “Bill” Blurock, 1922-2012
Bill Blurock, who hosted the 2011 reunion in Palm Springs, died June 12, 2012, while resting at home after a month-long illness. He was 90 years old.
Newport Beach’s Daily Pilot ran a featured obituary. Read others in the LA Times and the Orange County Register.
Bill had been busy planning his 90th birthday party for late April, with a theme of “Around the World in 90 Years.” He assembled photos and a wall-sized map of his travels for his guests to enjoy. Upon falling ill, he postponed the party for mid-July, which turned into the memorial service held for him on Monday, July 16, at the Balboa Yacht Club.
After a smaller, family gathering for an interment at sea, several hundred of Bill’s friends were roused by a P38 flyover at 2:30pm, followed by an honor guard. Bill’s flag was presented to his sister, Betty Hohweisner. Tribute speeches were brief but heartfelt, by Bill’s sons Tom and Ned, stepson-in-law John Kratz, and Dean Quingyun Ma of the USC School of Architecture. Dean Ma asked how many present were architects. Dozens raised their hands. Bill Blurock had launched many careers.
Much conversation was about good times, and especially travel, shared together with Bill.
Many in the crowd wore his favorite Hawaiian-style shirts in his honor.
Bill’s 90th year, and his life, were celebrated like he would have enjoyed.
Newport Beach’s Daily Pilot ran a featured obituary. Read others in the LA Times and the Orange County Register.
Bill had been busy planning his 90th birthday party for late April, with a theme of “Around the World in 90 Years.” He assembled photos and a wall-sized map of his travels for his guests to enjoy. Upon falling ill, he postponed the party for mid-July, which turned into the memorial service held for him on Monday, July 16, at the Balboa Yacht Club.
After a smaller, family gathering for an interment at sea, several hundred of Bill’s friends were roused by a P38 flyover at 2:30pm, followed by an honor guard. Bill’s flag was presented to his sister, Betty Hohweisner. Tribute speeches were brief but heartfelt, by Bill’s sons Tom and Ned, stepson-in-law John Kratz, and Dean Quingyun Ma of the USC School of Architecture. Dean Ma asked how many present were architects. Dozens raised their hands. Bill Blurock had launched many careers.
Much conversation was about good times, and especially travel, shared together with Bill.
Many in the crowd wore his favorite Hawaiian-style shirts in his honor.
Bill’s 90th year, and his life, were celebrated like he would have enjoyed.
Col. Ben A. Mason, 1911-2012
Colonel Ben A. Mason passed away April 13, 2012 at his home in Houston, TX at the age of 100.
Col. Mason had a distinguished 3-decade-long military career, including flying P-38 fighter planes with the 82nd Fighter Group as Commanding Officer during WWII combat missions, from his base in Foggia, Italy. He was the recipient of many decorations, including the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He thoroughly enjoyed attending annual 82nd Fighter Group reunions, and was an active member of the QB’s organization.
Click here to read the rest of the online obituary.
Col. Mason had a distinguished 3-decade-long military career, including flying P-38 fighter planes with the 82nd Fighter Group as Commanding Officer during WWII combat missions, from his base in Foggia, Italy. He was the recipient of many decorations, including the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He thoroughly enjoyed attending annual 82nd Fighter Group reunions, and was an active member of the QB’s organization.
Click here to read the rest of the online obituary.
Roswell S. Harding, 1919-2011
I wanted to inform you of the death of my father, Roswell S. Harding, on October 24, 2011. He died at home at the age of 92. I have attached a photo taken at his funeral service and am including a link to his obituary.
I think you are aware that his wife Lillian Harding also passed away on May 19, 2009. They met at one of the reunions and had 18 happy years together.
Thanks for keeping all of these people in touch, It brought a great deal of joy to the last few decades of his life.
Sincerely,
Heather Harding Burdick
I think you are aware that his wife Lillian Harding also passed away on May 19, 2009. They met at one of the reunions and had 18 happy years together.
Thanks for keeping all of these people in touch, It brought a great deal of joy to the last few decades of his life.
Sincerely,
Heather Harding Burdick