Update: The celebration of life for Jack Keyes yesterday was a memorable event for a
memorable man. It was held at his home in Corona Del Mar which is located on a
hill overlooking Newport Beach. Numerous Wallybirds were in
attendance.
Although Jack had an outgoing personality, he was modest about his own accomplishments. Many of us did not learn until yesterday that Jack had received a Distinguished Flying Cross for flying the hump in Burma during World War II. Jack also had been awarded 4 Air Medals during WWII. He remained in the Air Force Reserves after the war and eventually retired as a Lt. Coronel.
Initially the crowd gathered in the house where a slide show of memorable photos was displayed continually on a television screen. As the afternoon progressed, the crowd was invited to step to the back yard for a ceremony.
The local chapter of the American Legion provided a Color Guard. Following the playing of the National Anthem, the color guard marched into Jack's back yard where the crowd was gathered. Shortly thereafter, a P-51 with Air Force markings flew a pass over the back yard (the fly by must have been coordinated with nearby John Wayne Airport). The color guard performed an honorary firing of rifles and folding of the American flag. A member of the American Legion (a former C-130 pilot in Viet Nam) read details of Jack's military record. Next, a Distinguished Flying Cross was then presented to Jack's son and two daughters along with the folded American flag.
As I said initially, it was a memorable event for a memorable man. Jack was a great guy who lived a good life.
Ev
Although Jack had an outgoing personality, he was modest about his own accomplishments. Many of us did not learn until yesterday that Jack had received a Distinguished Flying Cross for flying the hump in Burma during World War II. Jack also had been awarded 4 Air Medals during WWII. He remained in the Air Force Reserves after the war and eventually retired as a Lt. Coronel.
Initially the crowd gathered in the house where a slide show of memorable photos was displayed continually on a television screen. As the afternoon progressed, the crowd was invited to step to the back yard for a ceremony.
The local chapter of the American Legion provided a Color Guard. Following the playing of the National Anthem, the color guard marched into Jack's back yard where the crowd was gathered. Shortly thereafter, a P-51 with Air Force markings flew a pass over the back yard (the fly by must have been coordinated with nearby John Wayne Airport). The color guard performed an honorary firing of rifles and folding of the American flag. A member of the American Legion (a former C-130 pilot in Viet Nam) read details of Jack's military record. Next, a Distinguished Flying Cross was then presented to Jack's son and two daughters along with the folded American flag.
As I said initially, it was a memorable event for a memorable man. Jack was a great guy who lived a good life.
Ev
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You are invited to
celebrate the life of our father
Jack Lyndon
Keyes
1923-2013
Saturday May 11th
Saturday May 11th
2:00 pm till 6:00
pm
15 Point Loma
Drive
Corona del Mar,
California 92625
Please reply to this
email:
lisa.lundrigan@gmail.com
with your RSVP
We hope you can make it
and share your memories with us.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~ IN MEMORY ~
WA/DL Capt. Jack L. Keyes
June 18, 1923 ~ April 10, 2013
Correction/Update: Captain Keyes actually retired at age 73
and not age 60. At age 60 he returned as a Flight Engineer on the DC10 with
Western until the Delta merger, and then he was an L1011 FE until age 73.
As noted in the October 1996 issue of DeltaDigest, Jack retired with 46 years of
service, Second Officer based 030/LAX.
Arrangements have not been advised yet but will be posted when
known.
Thank you,
~ Carol
~ IN MEMORY ~
WA/DL Capt. Jack L. Keyes
June 18, 1923 ~ April 10, 2013
Word has reached us that WA/DL Captain Jack L. Keyes has passed away today
due complications of prostate cancer. Born/raised in the Los Angeles area, Jack
was 89 years of age at the time of his passing. Captain Keyes hired on with
Western 10-07-1949 and retired at age 73. After age 60, Jack returned as a
Flight Engineer on the DC10 with Western until the Delta merger, and then he was
an L1011 FE until age 73. As noted in the October
1996 issue of DeltaDigest, Jack retired with 46 years of service, Second Officer
based 030/LAX.
Captain
Keyes had most recently resided at
15 Point
Loma Drive , Corona Del Mar CA 92625-1027
Arrangements
are pending and will be advised when known.
Thank you,
~
Carol
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