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___ PCN FLIGHT WEST is sponsored by the Pilot Communication Network and is a service of the PCN provided for the Delta Pilot Retired family of pilot groups. Flight West was started and is maintained to accomplish two main goals. After we become aware of a colleague who has Flown West, 1. We aim to produce a “timely” notice sent to our community that allows for support and interaction from our group toward the grieving family of our friend and colleague. 2. Then, we aim to “archive” that notice on our PCN Flight West Blogspot as a lasting accessible place of Dignity and Honor of our colleague for family legacy and posterity. Contributor contact info is generally removed before posting (unless requested otherwise).

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Wednesday, July 22, 2026

DL Capt. David Jack Clark

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, DL Capt. David Jack Clark

February 10, 1950 ~ July 16, 2026

 

Our thanks to Captain Gottschang for sharing this information.  Captain Clark joined Delta Air Lines 10-16-1978.  He is survived by his wife Kathy, and by his children and their families.

PCN memorial site

 

There was a Celebration of Life for retired Delta pilot David Jack Clark yesterday (7-21) at the Creekside Church in Cumming, Georgia. I could not find an obituary online but the attached is an obituary that was printed in the bulletin, distributed at the church service.

John (Craig) Gottschang

Retired Delta Pilot

 

PCN memorial site

(obituary sections reprinted below)

 

David Jack Clark, 76, of Cumming, Georgia, passed away peacefully on July 16, 2026, surrounded by his family.  Born in Springfield, Missouri, to Jack and Betty Clark, Dave was raised in West Plains, where he developed a lifelong love of sports, adventure, and the outdoors.  He attended Missouri State University, where he studied biology and played collegiate tennis.  In 1972, he joined the United States Air Force and served as a Captain and B-52 bomber pilot.

In 1978, Dave moved with this family to Georgia to begin a distinguished career as a pilot with Delta Air Lines.  Over the next two decades, he built a life centered on faith, family and community.  He was an active member of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, continued his lifelong passion for tennis by captaining numerous teams, and created lasting memories traveling with his family.

After retiring, he and his wife Kathy enjoyed life on Lake Lanier where they welcomed family and friends, played tennis, and planned many travel adventures.  One of Dave’s favorite traditions was his annual sailing trip with close friends through the islands surrounding Tortola in the British Virgin Islands – a journey that brought him great joy year after year.

Above all else, Dave treasured his family.  One of his greatest joys was being “Dave” to his grandson, Chase.  Whether cheering from the sidelines at athletic events, celebrating academic achievements, shooting hoops in the driveway, or hiking together, Dave embraced every opportunity to spend time with Chase, always ready to share a story, a lesson, or a bit of his signature “worldly wisdom”.

Dave had a remarkable gift for showing up for others.  Family and friends knew they could depend on him for encouragement, practical help, or his calm, steady presence.  His neighbors often joked that after every storm, Dave would appear with a chainsaw that seemed older than he was, ready to lend a hand without being asked.  His generosity, strength, and unwavering kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him…….

Interment with military honors will take place at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri, at a later date.

 

 

DL Capt. Floyd V. Norris

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, DL Capt. Floyd V. Norris

October 6, 1929 ~ July 15, 2026

 


Following his military service, Floyd Veren Norris joined Delta Air Lines 11-11-1957 and was based Atlanta.  He is survived by his second wife Gail, and by his children and their families.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield AL…please see obituary details below.

 

PCN memorial site

 

Obituary available online at  http://bowenfuneralhomewinfield.com/obituaries

 Floyd Veren Norris passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at his home in Jasper, Alabama at the age of 96. Floyd had a gift for making something out of nothing, a trait he learned from his father who rose from humble beginnings, worked in the coal mines, and eventually owned his own mine. Watching his father faithfully provide for his family while helping pastor a church shaped Floyd’s faith, work ethic and resourcefulness – qualities he later passed on to his children and grandchildren. Floyd’s ambition, strength, and values led him to work in the coal mines, work on the railroad, pursue an education, and serve his country in the Air Force, where he became a decorated pilot in the Korean War. Floyd’s wife, Betty Jean, joined him in Japan while serving his country. It was there they welcomed a son, David, and daughter, Kay. Upon returning to the states, Floyd enjoyed a meaningful career as a Captain with Delta Air Lines. He shared his passion for flying with his family, using his instructor rating to teach many of them to fly. Together they enjoyed a life of adventure through flying, travel, real estate, and the world of art, all while keeping their faith in God first.

 

Floyd is preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jean, parents, Martin and Christine Norris, his sister, Lorene, and grandson Kyle Stephens. He is survived by his wife, Gail “Honey” Norris of Curry, his son, David Norris and wife, Susan, their sons, Christian Chatellier and wife, Chance, their children, Matthew, Laiken, and Bianca; Dustin Norris and wife, Emily, their children, Ava, Dayna, Lee, and Joseph; and David Norris Jr. and wife, Anna, their children, Greyson and Briggs. He is also survived by his daughter, Kay Norris, who lovingly stayed by his side through his final journey, her grandsons, Jack Stephens and Pete Stephens, her daughter, Ashley Ludtke, and her children, Kylie, Kobe, and Korbyn Ludtke, and three great-great grandchildren, Kylan Lewis, Davina Benedict-Ludtke and Kamila Kae Benedict-Ludtke. Floyd is also survived by his niece, Rhonda, nephew, Danny, and many other family members.

 

The Norris family wishes to extend their love and gratitude to Floyd’s caregivers for the past three years, Sonya Grace and Sylvia McLain, and to Southeast Hospice who cared for Floyd with care and love.

 

Funeral services for Mr. Norris will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. from the Bowen Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Musgrove Chapel Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Saturday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. service time at the funeral home.

 

Bowen Funeral Home of Winfield, AL serving the Norris family.

>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103068263/betty_jean-norris

Betty Jean “B.J.” Riley Norris

Birth   18 Feb 1932

Death  2 Jan 2013 (aged 80) ,  Louisiana

Burial   Musgrove Cemetery, Fayette County, Alabama

 

  

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

DL pilot William “Will” Becker

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL pilot William “Will” Becker

October 23, 1968 - July 14, 2026

 


Facebook posting:  https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Will%20Becker

With the permission of his wife, Anne, announcing the passing of a husband, father, brother, and best friend, William Becker. He passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday night July 14.

Visitation service Friday July 24 5:00-7:00

- https://linnemannfuneralhomes.com/.../william-will-becker/  

If you have ANY photos of Will that we can use for the visitation please send them to willsphotos57@gmail.com . RIP our friend. May his memory be eternal.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://linnemannfuneralhomes.com/obituary/william-will-becker/

 

William “Will” Carl Becker, 57, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  He was the son of the late Hasso and Hanna (Meyer) Becker, born on October 23, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

Will obtained his bachelor’s degree in history at the University of Cincinnati. He soon went to flying school and became a commercial airline pilot. Will flew for just over 30 years and most recently was proudly employed at Delta Air Lines, one of the most trusted airlines in the world.  He was the rock of his family, bringing the same steady, dependable presence to his home that he did to his cockpit as a Delta pilot. At 57, his greatest joy wasn’t navigating the skies but raising his 16-year-old son and sharing an unbreakable, lifelong bond with his devoted wife, Anne. As a husband, he loved Anne fiercely and treated her with deep respect, always making her feel cherished through every season of their life together. Whether having father/son vacations to Siesta Key and Lake Tahoe, or finding every local chocolatier during layovers for Anne, Will was a truly exceptional dad and partner whose warmth and dedication defined his family’s world. He loved cars and guns! He was a truly avid firearms enthusiast and enjoyed classic cars and fast cars.  His presence will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hasso and Hanna Becker; sister, Susanne Becker, and a very special, feline furry mistress, Miss Kitty, who adored Will.

 

Those left here to mourn his great loss are his best friend and loving wife, Anne (Matthews) Becker; son, Walter Becker; brother and sister-in-law, Dean and Susan Becker; brother-in-law, Greg Jowaisas; nieces Anna Jowaisas and Rachel Becker; nephew Stefan Becker; his lazy cat companions, Scatter, Smokey Bones, Babe Cat, and Oreo, and a host of friends and great co-workers at Delta and Endeavor.

 

A Visitation will be held on Friday, July 24, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Linnemann Funeral Home in Burlington, KY. (1940 Burlington Pike, Burlington, KY 41005).

Friday, July 17, 2026

DL Capt. Robert W. Wardlaw Jr.

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Robert W. Wardlaw Jr.

March 8, 1937 ~ June 4, 2026

 

From family we have learned that Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta Air Lines pilot Capt. Bob Wardlaw has passed.  Born in Texas and graduated from Lake Charles High in 1955, Bob then attended Louisiana State University.  He did his preflight training and solo at the Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida.  Captain Robert “Bob” Wilton Wardlaw Jr. joined Delta Air Lines 01-08-1969 and was based New Orleans and Atlanta.  Bob is survived by his wife Connie. 

The Wardlaws resided in Smyrna GA, and most recently in Marietta.

Arrangements are not yet known.

As more information is received, we will be sure to pass it along.

 Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

Thursday, July 16, 2026

NWA Capt. W.H. Rique Beslin

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, NWA Capt. W.H. Rique Beslin

July 2, 1936 — July 12, 2026

 


RNPA member retired Northwest pilot Captain William Henry Rique Beslin joined Northwest Airlines 11-04-1968.  Widowed in 2021, Rique is survived by his children and their families.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com/obituaries/wh-beslin 

Obituary

W.H. Rique Beslin, 90, of Rogers, Arkansas passed away on July 12, 2026. He was born on July 2, 1936, in Houston, Texas to Henry and Laurine (Cade) Beslin.

 

After graduating from the University of Georgia, Rique served in the United States Navy from 1959 until 1968 including multiple tours in Vietnam as a LCDR and fighter pilot. He started flying for Northwest Airlines in 1968 and retired as a Captain flying the Boeing 757 in 1996. Rique was a 32d Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a 51-year member of Corinthian Lodge, #43, in Farmington Minnesota. He was also a member of the Scimitar Shrine Temple and a longtime member of the NWA Shrine Clown Club. He was a member of Brightwater Memorial United Methodist Church in Rogers Arkansas. Rique was a devoted husband and father to his wife Carmaleita and all three of his children as well as a Brother, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He will always be remembered for being a strong provider to his family, for being fiercely loyal to his friends, and a true believer in God.

 

Rique is preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Carmaleita Beslin.

 

He is survived by his children, Toni Shoulders of Tulsa, OK, Rique Beslin Jr. of Inver Grove Heights, MN, and Scott Beslin of Otsego, MN; brother, Kenneth Vance Lee of Bangs, TX; six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

 

A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25th from 10-11AM at Benton County Memorial Park Funeral Home, 3800 W Walnut Street, Rogers, AR 72756. A funeral service will follow immediately after at 11AM. Entombment to follow at Benton County Memorial Park mausoleum.

 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Shriners Children’s Hospital, https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/ways-to-give/giving-to-shriners-childrens

 

https://www.bentoncountymemorialpark.com/obituaries/carmaleita-beslin 

IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Carmaleita Beslin

d. Jul 14, 2021

Carmaleita Beslin was called by the Lord after a long illness on July 14th. A Life Member of the Order of Eastern Star where she was a Worthy Matron and active in the Daughters of the Nile. She also held offices at Brightwater UMC. She is survived by her husband W.H. Rique Beslin, happily married for fifty seven years………………….