DL Capt. Archibald Kennedy

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, DL Capt. Archibald Kennedy

September 10, 1935 – June 12, 2026

 

Archibald Donaldson "Arch" Kennedy, Jr., known as Don in his youth, was born on September 10, 1935, in Louisville, Kentucky…………………..

He and his wife, Penny, a dedicated flight attendant, were married for 39 years and lovingly known as "Sky King and Penny." Penny preceded him in death in 2025……………..

A Delta Golden Wings member and retired Delta pilot, Captain Kennedy joined Delta Air Lines 12-18-1962.  He is survived by his daughters and his stepchildren and their families.

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/legacy/archibald-kennedy-jr

Archibald Donaldson "Arch" Kennedy, Jr., known as Don in his youth, was born on September 10, 1935, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Dr. Archibald Donaldson Kennedy and Louise Kennedy.

After graduating from Atherton High School, he attended Centre College, where he was a proud brother of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Initially setting his sights on medical school, life took him higher—soaring 10,000 feet above, as he began his distinguished journey in aviation.

A U.S. Navy pilot, he trained on the T-28 and landed on aircraft carriers in the S2F. Later, he joined Delta Air Lines, where for 35 years he flew both domestically and abroad, training countless pilots and becoming a beloved figure in the Delta community. His final Delta flight was on the L-1011 from Ireland to Atlanta in 1995.

He and his wife, Penny, a dedicated flight attendant, were married for 39 years and lovingly known as "Sky King and Penny." Penny preceded him in death in 2025.

Arch is survived by his daughters, Kimberley (Kent) Ellsbree, Kathleen (Joe) Ferguson, and son Arch Kennedy III, as well as his stepchildren Colonel Mike (Cathy) Butler and Michelle (Tim) Martin, three grandchildren, Reed (David) Lemasters, Joey and Ryan Ferguson, and great-grandson, John Lemasters.

He was a devoted member of Peachtree Road Methodist Church and an active participant in the Blazers. In his spare time, Arch worked with therapeutic horsemanship at Chastain Park, bringing joy to children and adults with disabilities.

Arch spent a career in the clouds and, as Mark Twain once said, "The air up there in the clouds is very pure and fine, bracing and delicious. And why shouldn't it be?—it is the same the angels breathe." And now he soars on that bracing wind, held close by Christ in the purest peace of heaven.

A celebration of Arch's life will be held on Thursday, June 25, at 4:00 p.m. at his cherished church home, Peachtree Road Methodist Church, with a reception following in Grace Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Arch's honor to Peachtree Road Methodist Church.

Arch's laughter, charming sense of humor, his sky-high dreams, and his boundless love for his family will forever lift our hearts.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/penny-kennedy-obituary?id=58833202

Penny Kennedy Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 10, 2025.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Penelope Lynn (Andrews) Kennedy, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who passed away at the age of 83 in Atlanta, Georgia. Penny departed this life to join her Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, on July 3, 2025.

Born in Sylacauga, Alabama, on April 2, 1942, Penny lived a life marked by service, creativity, and unwavering faith. She found great joy in her early career as a flight attendant with Eastern Airlines and later with Evergreen International, where she was especially proud to support U.S. service members by transporting them to the Middle East and Africa………………

DL's Endeavor Air F/O Dave Fiji

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

DL’s regional carrier/Endeavor Air F/O Dave Fiji

December 14, 2000  -  May 29, 2026

 

https://www.wagesfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Dave-Fiji?obId=48573108

Service times are below, please keep this family in your thoughts and check back for complete obituary.

 

Dave Fiji, age 25 of Snellville, Georgia, passed away Friday, May 29, 2026.

 

A going home wake service will be held at Praise Community Church in Lawrenceville from 5pm – 10pm on Friday, June 5, 2026. The going home service will be held the following day, on Saturday, June 6th from 9:30am until 12:30pm at the church. Burial will follow at Gwinnett Memorial Park in Lawrenceville, GA.

 

Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.wagesfuneralhome.com   Tom M. Wages Funeral Service, A Heritage Company, 3705 Highway 78 West, Snellville, GA 30039 (770-979-3200) has been entrusted with the arrangements.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8XTFj8BZ1A 

Dave Fiji and a helicopter pilot died Friday night when a Robinson R66 crashed near the Dawsonville wedding venue where Fiji had just married his wife, Jesni.

 

https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/indian-kerala-origin-delta-pilot-dave-fiji-killed-in-us-chopper-crash-hours-after-wedding-11573996

According to his father, Dave Fiji, a first officer for Delta Air Lines, had concerns about the weather before the takeoff.

 

https://x.com/aviationbrk/status/2061460318346199115

NEW: A Delta Air Lines regional pilot has been killed on his wedding day after the helicopter taking him and his wife to their honeymoon crashed in bad weather.

 

Dave Fiji, 25, was tragically killed on his wedding day after the Robinson R66 carrying the groom and his wife, Jesni, ar Dawsonville, Georgia.

 

Endeavour Air, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines, said in a statement: 'The loss of a colleague and friend is deeply felt, and we know this news may be especially difficult for those who knew and worked alongside him.'

 

According to the airline, First Officer Fiji had joined Endeavour in March 2025.

 

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash. The helicopter belonged to Prestige Helicopters, which operates out of Peachtree-DeKalb airport.

NWA Capt. W. Larry Womack

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. W. Larry Womack

July 7, 1939 ~ May 29, 2026

 

RNPA member retired Northwest Airlines pilot Captain William Lawence “Larry” Womack recently   passed on May 29^th.   To date I’ve not been able to locate an online obituary. 

Having most recently resided in Nevada, whitepages lists the Womack’s address as  

5445 Caliente St, Las Vegas, NV 89119.

If anyone has more news to share, please do let us know.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

 

Dear Colleagues,

I regret to inform you that NWA pilot Larry Womack, age 86, died on Friday, May 29th in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Larry began his NWA career on September 26, 1966.

Currently there are no definite plans for a memorial service.

With regret and respect,

Bill Day

wlday@comcast.net  

 

 

DL Capt. James “Jim” Cagle

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. James “Jim” Cagle

March 28, 1938 — June 7, 2026

 

Beyond his accomplishments as a pilot and leader, James was a gifted artist and author (i.e. song “Christmas Time” and book “The Story of Santa Claus, Junior” ……………………..

Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta pilot James Valentine Cagle joined Delta Air Lines 07-19-1965 and was based MSY/DFW/ATL.  Jim is survived by his wife Ann, and by his three sons and their families.  For those who may wish to send a personal note, the Cagle’s address is listed in whitepages :  

 1315 Church St, Columbia, MS 39429.

A wonderful family photo gallery is available on the funeral home’s website, please visit  

https://www.hathornfuneralhome.com/obituaries/james-cagle

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.hathornfuneralhome.com/obituaries/james-cagle

Funeral services will be held at 5:00 pm on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at Columbia Presbyterian Church in Columbia for James Valentine Cagle, 88 of Columbia, who passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia……………..

 

James was a man whose life was defined by his unwavering devotion to God, his family, and the skies. Above all else, James was a faithful servant of the Lord. He lived out his deep Christian faith every day, serving as a dedicated deacon for the Presbyterian Church from 1981 through the present. His profound love for his wife, Ann, was the heartbeat of his home, and together they built a family rooted in love and shared adventures. James’s greatest joy in aviation was blending his love for family with his passion for the clouds, proudly instructing his entire family on how to fly.

 

His remarkable journey in the air began with seven years of honorable service as a U.S. Army aviator piloting fixed-wing aircraft, followed by a long and distinguished career with Delta Air Lines. His mastery of the skies was officially recognized by the FAA with the prestigious Master Pilot Award, and even after retiring from the commercial airlines, his adventurous spirit led him to the rugged terrain of Alaska to serve as a bush pilot.

 

Driven by his desire to invest in the next generation, James channeled his faith into action by founding two impactful youth ministries, "Teens Incorporated" and "Harvest Ministries." He was also highly regarded in his community, recognized as the Alumni of the Year at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. Beyond his accomplishments as a pilot and leader, James was a gifted artist who composed many songs throughout his life—most notably his single “Christmas Time,” which reached number one on the Billboard charts in the late 1970s. James will be remembered as a devoted husband, a loving father, a faithful church leader, and a master pilot who taught those he loved how to soar both in this life and the next.

He was preceded in death by his Parents, James O. Cagle & Mamie Brock Cagle; and his one Sister, Joellen Landers. He was survived by his Wife of sixty-seven years, Ann Burris Cagle, of Columbia; three Sons, James O. Cagle, II (Angela), of Columbia, William H. Cagle (Jill), of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Christopher V. Cagle (Valerie), of Sumrall; one Brother, William Cagle, of Daytona, Florida; ten Grandchildren, Olivia Cagle, of Long Creek, South Carolina, James Cagle, of Long Creek, South Carolina, Anne Marie Placereani (Dan), of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Elizabeth Cagle, of Walhalla, South Carolina, Jacob Cagle, of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Sarah Cagle, of Columbia, Benjamin Cagle (Gracie), of Walhalla, South Carolina, Jonathan Cagle, of Mountain Rest, South Carolina, Davis Cagle, of Sumrall, Daniel Cagle, of Sumrall; and five Great Grandchildren, Elijah Placereani, Emma Placereani, Josiah Placereani, Madi Cagle, David Alexander Cagle.

 

Mr. Cagle will be carried to his final resting place by his Grandsons serving as Pallbearers: Benjamin Cagle, Daniel Cagle, Davis Cagle, Jacob Cagle, James V. Cagle, II, and Jonathan Cagle. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Bert Beisel, Danny Childress, Chris Cook, Rev. Houston Cunningham, Ricky Ladner, Sonny Magee, James May, Scott Mobley, Don Regan, Dan Smith, Shahrukh Sheikh, Rev. Tom Thurman, Steve Warren, Mickey Webb, and Cary Williams.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Harvest Ministries.

Hathorn Funeral Home in Columbia is in charge of the arrangements. Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at www.hathornfuneralhome.com

NWA Capt. Earl G. Kelly

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Earl G. Kelly

March 9, 1942 - February 24, 2026

 

As noted in the May issue of the Airline Pilot magazine’s In Memoriam page, the February passing of NWA Captain Earl Glenn Kelly, age 83.  Earl joined Northwest Airlines 10-07-1968. 

Having most recently resided in Minnesota, the Kelly’s address is listed in whitepages as

  5901 Fawn Trail Cir, Saint Paul, MN 55129.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.echovita.com/us/obituaries/mn/woodbury/earl-kelly-21158832

Funeral arrangement under the care of

Cremation & Burial Society