NC/NWA Capt. Edwin Allen Rogers

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, NC/NWA Capt. Edwin Allen Rogers

January 2, 1935 ~ February 3, 2021

 

Notification with the passing of retired North Central/Northwest pilot Captain Edwin Allen Rogers, age 86.  Captain Rogers is survived by his wife Pamela, his children, and his grand- and great grandchildren.

Obituary information is available online at

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kendallcountynow/obituary.aspx?n=edwin-allen-rogers&pid=197904363 

and https://www.dailyadvent.com/news/9605988cacc9f6a1d2fda415201494e6-Edwin-Allen-Rodgers-86

  also at https://www.yourobserver.com/article/edwin-allen-rogers

Captain Rogers had most recently resided in Florida at

655 Tarawitt Drive,  Longboat Key, FL 34228.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  :  Edwin Allen Rogers

Edwin Allen Rogers, 86 of Longboat Key, Florida, passed away Feb. 3, 2021. He was born in Plano, Illinois, the son of Albert E. Rogers and Lula Houtz Rogers. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother William Rogers and sister Betty Lou Halterman. Ed is survived by his wife Pamela Helgren Rogers, his children Deborah Awtry, Candice Schmidt, 10 Grandchildren and 10 Great Grandchildren.

Ed graduated from Plano High School and then joined the Navy, where he fell in love with airplanes. He worked for Davis Construction and learned to fly at the Sandwich Airport. He had a 30 year career flying commercially starting with North Central Airlines and through mergers retired from Northwest Airlines as a 757 captain. He was a long time member of the American Legion and a Moose Lodge member. He had a life long love of hunting and fishing. He became an accomplished and respected trap and sporting clay shooter.

He will be missed by his family and many great friends.

 

 

PAA/DL Capt. Henry Luculus ‘Luke’ Bradley III

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, PAA/DL Capt. Henry Luculus ‘Luke’ Bradley III

May 20, 1934 - January 15, 2021

 

Notification with the passing of retired Pan Am/Delta pilot Captain Luke Bradley, age 86.  Captain Bradley joined Pan American Airways 06-14-1965 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Kirsten.

Obituary information for Captain Bradley is available for viewing online at

https://hughesfuneralhome.org/tribute/henry-l-bradley-iii-d-january-15-2021/

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  : Henry Luculus "Luke" Bradley III

FAIRHOPE, Ala. — Henry Luculus "Luke" Bradley III, a native of Paducah, Kentucky, and a resident of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away at his home on Jan. 15, 2021, at the age of 86.

 

Luke graduated from Tilghman High School and attended Murray State College in Kentucky. He joined the United States Navy and became a Naval Aviator in Apr. 1957. He received an honorable discharge as Lieutenant Commander from the Navy Reserve in June 1968. He joined Pan American World Airways as a pilot from June 1965 until Nov. 1991. He met his coming wife, Kirsten, an R.N./Stewardess, on a flight from Los Angeles/Tahiti in Aug. 1967. Luke was based in New York twice, San Francisco, Miami, and West Berlin, where he also was secretary/treasurer for the Airline Pilots Association for 5 years. After Pan Am, he joined Delta Air Lines as a captain based in Atlanta. Luke retired from Delta on June 1, 1997, and decided it was time to see this beautiful country from the ground, that he had already seen from the air. After two years in a motorhome, he and his wife found Fairhope, Alabama, where they have lived since 1999, the longest they have lived anywhere. They enjoyed the beauty, but the people are why they stayed. In his spare time, Luke enjoyed reading books, his favorite was the Bible, and listening to music.

 

Luke was known for his great humor, his positive attitude, and true friendship. He loved the outdoors but had a fascination for magic. He practiced it, studied it, and even auditioned at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA where he became a real magician member. Luke was a conservative and very active in Tai Chi. Electronics and Hi-Tech were also a passion of his and he loved flying the "Airbus." Luke was a member of the local "Old Soldiers," the "Ancient Aviators" in Gulf Shores and the American Legion in Fairhope, Alabama.

 

After fighting cancer, Luke died with his wife and beloved dog, Susie Q, by his side. No family members were present due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

 

Luke is preceded in death by his mother, Pauline Lovelace Bradley, his father, Henry Bradley; his youngest brother, Given West "Chubby" Bradley, who was killed in Vietnam in 1968; brother, William Henry "Buck" Bradley II, who died from Leukemia July 5, 2008; and other dear family members and friends.

 

He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years and 7 months, Kirsten Marie Beyer Bradley from Denmark; seven godchildren located in Denmark, England, and Switzerland; and Lars Beyer Baegaard Andersen was Luke's next of kin from Denmark, who is also a pilot.

 

Alabama Hospice Care Coordinator, Sissy Cunningham, arranged for a special pining for Luke by Foley Veterans, and presented Luke with the Alabama Hospice Care Certificate of Honor.

 

A graveside service will take place at the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at a later date. Chaplain Les Pierce, of Alabama Hospice Care, will be officiating the service.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Alabama Hospice Care's Hospice Promise Foundation, 6001 Airport Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608, or call them at 251-345-1023.

 

Expressions of condolence for the family may be made at www.hughesfh.com

 

NWA Capt. Milburn 'Mel' Jasper Holmes

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Milburn 'Mel'  Jasper Holmes

October 12, 1939 - February 9, 2021

 

Word has reached us with the passing of RNPA member retired Northwest pilot Captain Mel Holmes, age 81.  Captain Holmes joined Northwest Airlines 12-04-1967.  He is survived by his wife Jeannie, his sons and his grandchildren.

Obituary information is available for viewing online at https://www.lagrandeobserver.com/obituaries/featured_obituaries/milburn-mel-holmes-obit-photo/image_9c31f332-789c-11eb-b011-cfb110254c9b.html 

You can read more of Captain Holmes’ military and aviation background at

https://www.eou.edu/news-press/original-top-gun/

And another article dated 2005….

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-from-top-gun-to-palomar-flight-school-2005feb03-story.html

and yet another article with picture

 https://articles.historynet.com/the-man-behind-the-topgun-fighter-pilot-school.htm

For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family’s address is listed in whitepages as

2856 Sunset Hills , Escondido, CA 92025-7801.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  : 

Captain Milburn J. “Mel” Holmes passed away peacefully at home in Escondido, California on February 9th, 2021.

 

Mel was born in La Grande, Oregon to Betty Mae and Milburn Jay Holmes on October 12, 1939. He attended La Grande High School, lettering in both basketball and baseball. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Oregon University in 1961. In 2006, Mel was the first recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from EOU.

 

Mel entered the Navy Flight Training Program in Pensacola, Florida, in 1961. After completing the Jet Fighter Course, he was designated a Naval Aviator in 1963.

 

During his career, Mel flew various fighters including the F-4 "Phantom" and participated in three cruises in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. He received 18 medals and commendations throughout his service.

 

Mel was one of the original founders of the legendary Navy Fighter Weapons School, better known as "TOPGUN", based at Naval Air Station Miramar. He completed his naval career as the Commanding Officer of VF-301, a reserve F-4 Fighter Squadron. After his retirement as a 747 captain from Northwest/Delta Airlines, he established a premier flight school in Carlsbad, California.

 

Mel is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jeannie; his four sons: John, Brad and his wife, Sarah, Doug and his wife, Melissa, and Craig. In addition, he is survived by four grandchildren: Tyler, Alec, Jacqueline and Maddie Holmes.

 

A heartfelt thanks to the medical professionals, Lori Saunders and Shari Catozzi, whose compassion and care for Mel during this past year was exemplary.

 

A memorial service will be planned at a later date due to COVID restrictions. Memorials can be made in Mel's honor to Warrior Foundation Freedom Station, 1223 1/2 28th St. Suite A, San Diego, CA 92102, or https://warriorfoundation.org

 

NWA, Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Leroy Ball

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA, Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Leroy Ball (ret)

September 30, 1940 ~ February 20, 2021

 

Word has reached our group with the passing of retired Northwest pilot Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Leroy Ball (ret), age 80.  Lt. Colonel Ball joined Northwest Airlines  02-12-1968.  Captain Ball is survived by his children, his grandchildren and his great grandson plus many close friends and aviation colleagues. 

Obituary information is available for viewing online at

  https://plainsman.com/article/william-ball

A native South Dakotan, Captain Ball had most recently resided in Arizona at   

7643 E Shooting Star Way,  Scottsdale, AZ 85266. 

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

Obituary  :

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Lt. Colonel William “Bill” Leroy Ball, 80,  passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at his home in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Saturday, February 20, 2021. 

Bill was a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend.

A private military service will be held with a memorial plaque placed later at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona.

He was a decorated Air Force fighter pilot and Squadron Commander of the 175th TAC Fighter Squadron in South Dakota from 1963-1984. He flew a plethora of aircraft while serving his nation, including the F-102, in the Air Defense Mission, followed by the F-100 and A-7 in the Tactical Air Command Mission. He also flew 707s, 727s, and 747s for Northwest Airlines from 1968 to 1993. Bill’s third career was as a successful land developer in Prescott Valley.

Bill was born in Rapid City on September 30, 1940. He was the eldest son born to Edna Ruth “Tootie” Ball (Foley) and Walter Frederick Ball. As a child, he loved playing baseball and flying planes with his father. In 1946 he moved to Huron, where he attended school and deepened his passion for aviation. His parents owned an aviation charter and crop spraying business/FBO “Ball Aero” that Bill, along with his favorite childhood companion and younger brother Mike, helped operate.  

After graduating high school in 1958, Bill attended college in Huron. He met his first wife Pamela Louise Savage (Green) in Huron, and they were married in 1964. Bill and Pamela’s union brought three daughters before ending in 1973.  Bill married his second wife, Mary Catherine Ball in 1974. They welcomed two sons to the family before ending their marriage in 1995.  

Bill spent his later years in Scottsdale and continued to run his business in Prescott Valley. He was able to enjoy flying his own private airplanes for many years. He loved traveling, camping, sailing in San Diego, watching drag racing, fishing in Alaska, and being his grandchildren’s biggest fan in sports and life. Even during his last days, it was obvious that the most important thing in Bill’s life was being able to spend time with his family and friends.

Bill was a great man held in highest esteem by family and friends, who remember him fondly for his loving and generous spirit, his infectious laugh, his passion for flying, the personal flyovers that would make you run for cover, his love of sports, his sharp and witty sense of humor, his brilliant hazel eyes that would genuinely light up when he greeted you, his keen intellect, and his warm hugs. 

Bill is survived by one brother, Mike Ball (Linda) of Huron; three daughters, Kirsten Ball (Ray) of Anchorage, Alaska., Shannon Knuchel (Jeff) of Missoula, Mont., Erin Callahan (Matthew) of Anchorage, Alaska; two sons, Travis Ball (Danielle) of Phoenix, Ariz., and Stephen Ball (Christy) of Tucson Ariz.; six grandchildren, Skyler Knuchel, Delaney Pocha (Ty), Hunter Martin, Liam Callahan, Wade Ball, Wyatt Ball; one great-grandson, Kaine Pocha; as well as adored nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Ruth Ball. 

 To those who had the pleasure of knowing Bill, as you travel this beautiful world, as you traverse a terminal, as you board a flight, our family hopes you may be comforted by his memory as we are. While he is greatly missed, we find peace in the fact that “Whiskey Bravo” is no longer grounded. We hope that you will find peace in this as well.  

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be sent to the Leroy W. Homer Foundation (leroywhomerjr.org) a non-profit that provides scholarships to young aspiring pilots.

……………………………………..

Note: This is Bill Ball’s Obituary that was in the Huron Plainsman, Bill’s hometown newspaper. “The family wants his service & burial at the Arizona National Cemetery here in Phoenix and perhaps a “celebration of life” afterwards at a location TBD that you could zoom in on. The date and time of the service and celebration of life are yet to be determined and I will definitely keep you informed.”

 

NWA Capt. Bill Day

 

 

 

NWA/DL, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Edward (Ret) Latshaw

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA/DL, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Edward (Ret) Latshaw

July 3, 1952 ~ January 3, 2021

 

Notification with the passing of retired Northwest/Delta pilot Lt. Cmdr. Todd Edward (Ret) Latshaw, age 68.  Lt. Cmdr. Latshaw joined Northwest Airlines 12-15-1995 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Mildred, his children and his grandsons.  Obituary information is available online at

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/pensacolanewsjournal/obituary.aspx?n=lt-cmdr-todd-edward-latshaw-ret&pid=197882180   and at https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/lt-latshaw-obituary?pid=197882180

Whitepages indicates that Latshaw family’s most recent address as

1001 N Barcelona St.,  Pensacola, FL 32501.

Interment arrangements are not known…if more is learned we will be sure to update our memorial sites.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

 

 

Obituary  :  Lt. Cmdr. (Ret) Todd Edward Latshaw

 

Lieutenant Commander (Ret) Todd Edward Latshaw left this world January 3, 2021, after a short but demanding battle with MDS stem cell treatment, and after casting his vote for Joe Biden. While the stem cell treatment was successful, thanks to the generous donation of cells by his son, David Latshaw, recovery proved too difficult. He left surrounded by his wife, children and sister, Becky, and by a community of admirers and friends who held him up in constant thought and prayer. A most loving and tearful sendoff, to be sure.

 

Todd was born July 3, 1952 to Barbara Jane Latshaw (Hess) and David Latshaw in Canton, Ohio. In Pittsburgh, he graduated from Cannevin High School and Waynesburg College, where he fell for his lab partner, Budgie Hartman. He served 21 years as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, flying C130s, C12s and P3s. They travelled the world while stationed in Guam, Okinawa, and England, as well as stateside ports in Florida, Texas, and Maryland. He then joined Northwest Airlines as a DC10 pilot, finishing his career at Delta Airlines. Todd's genuine mission was as husband, father, grandfather, and friend to the world. Weather permitting, he could be found golfing or driving his refurbished TR6, but definitely not exercising. Wherever Todd ventured, laughter followed. A truly generous, welcoming, and light-hearted man, Todd was quick to make friends with anyone and everyone and left lasting impressions everywhere he went.

 

He is survived by his spouse of 42 years, Mildred (Budgie) Latshaw, his sister, Becky (John) Bannon, his children, Sara Latshaw (Ryan Donovan), and David Latshaw (Tiffany Latshaw) and three grandsons, Baylen, Gray, and Fletcher.

 

He will be interred at NAS Pensacola following a military ceremony. Because of Covid 19 we wish to postpone interment, followed by a celebration of Life, until we can gather safely.

 

If in search of a way to commemorate his life he asked that you donate to the ACLU of Florida, an organization especially dear to his heart. Donations can be made at www.aclufl.org or mailed to 4343 W. Flagler Street, Miami, FL 33134.