NWA Captain James W. Powers

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NWA Captain James W. Powers

February 2, 1933 ~ November 11, 2026 

James "Trapper" William Powers joined Northwest Airlines 10-24-1966 and retired with Northwest in 1993.  Widowed in 2013, James is survived by his daughter Jane and her family, and by his dearest friend Arlene.

Services will be held Saturday, November 21 at 11 am at Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND with visitation one hour prior.

https://www.inforum.com/obituaries/obits/james-powers-vle39wgjizlky0whildd  

Online guest book and video tribute at www.wrightfuneral.com   

James Powers was cleared for takeoff for his final flight home on November 11, 2026, at the age of 93. He was surrounded by family at Eventide Sheyenne Crossings with Hospice as he got in the co-pilot’s seat with Jesus as his captain.

James William Powers was born on February 2, 1933, to Ralph and Marie (Lebus) Powers of Durbin, North Dakota. One of eight siblings growing up on the farm learned kindness, humility, and the value of hard work. He also learned how to love and help others. He started school at District 29 of Addison Township in a one-room schoolhouse that he attended until 8th grade. There, he had a big shock. Being one of seven brothers, his dad always called him Sonny. When the teacher called his name, he was quite surprised to learn that his name was James. After 8th grade he moved to Casselton to live with his aunt Esther, who was a teacher and had a house in town. He graduated from Casselton in 1951. He then attended NDSU but soon enlisted in the Air Force.  

James went to basic training in Texas. During his time in the Air Force, he tested the atomic and hydrogen bombs on Christmas Island. Per family folklore, it was during his time in the Air Force he got the nickname “Trapper.” When asked how he got his nickname he would tell Jane, “I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.” When he came back home, he flew for the ND Air National Guard and was a proud Happy Hooligan.

On July 10, 1965, he married Dorothy Mae Gunderson. They made their home in Fargo where he continued flying for the Happy Hooligans and spraying crops. He often said that marrying Dorothy was the smartest decision he ever made. They welcomed daughter Jane in June 1969. They shared 48 years together until Dorothy’s passing in 2013.

In 1966 James joined Northwest Airlines as a pilot, working his way up to captain. He was based out of many different cities over the years but always called Fargo-Moorhead home. As a captain he flew worldwide and enjoyed having new adventures in different countries, when time permitted. His favorite plane was the DC-10. He retired from Northwest Airlines in 1993.

After retirement James enjoyed studying the Bible, socializing, eating out, helping family and friends, and connecting with his farming roots. Dorothy and Trapper cherished connecting with others and their friendships. He also enjoyed taking car trips with Dorothy. (He said he had seen it all from the air. Now he wanted to see it from the ground.) Among his greatest joys of retirement were his grandkids. He was immensely proud of them and always wanted to share insight with them and be a part of their activities.

In later years James enjoyed the friendship and companionship of a special friend, Arlene. The two shared many times of laughter and love. We are so grateful for her love, compassion, and care for him. She is truly a blessing.

He is survived by his daughter Jane (Mark) Skunberg of Moorhead; three grandchildren, Erik, Anders and Annika Skunberg all of Moorhead; brother, David Powers of Fargo; Arlene Pearson of Fargo; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Ralph and Marie Powers; brothers, Chuck, Vincent, Wayne, Earl, George; sister, Marlys; and one infant sibling.

We want to thank the staff at Eventide Sheyenne Crossings and Hospice for their excellent care and compassion during his final years.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 21 at 11 am at Atonement Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND with visitation an hour before.

Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery, Moorhead, MN.

NWA Capt. Michael G Buckley

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Michael G Buckley

May 23, 1940 ~ September 3, 2026

In 1965, fortune smiled again when Northwest Airlines hired him at the young age of 25 and by age 29, he had obtained the position of Captain on the B-727........

Michael joined Northwest Airlines 08-02-1965 and retired with Northwest in 2000.  He is survived by his wife Jerri, and by his children and their families.

Respecting Mike’s wishes, a cremation and private simple family service was held.

https://www.legacy.com/legacy/michael-buckley   

Michael G Buckley's Obituary

BUCKLEY, Michael G. age 86, formerly of Yakima, WA, entered into eternal life on September 3, 2026 at his home in Fountain Hills, AZ after a long and courageous battle with cancer and Parkinson’s. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 29 years, Jerri; daughter Elizabeth (Scott) Burke; sons, Ryan and Scott (Francine); five grandchildren, Shane, Benjamin, Charlotte, Samantha and Alexandra. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother John.

Mike graduated in 1959 from Eisenhower High School in Yakima and in 1960, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve, serving 6 years and specializing in medium and heavy-duty tanks. He received a full skiing scholarship to Montana State University where he majored in Pre-med and was a proud Brother of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He worked summers as a Hotshot Fire Jumper and semi-truck driver and in 1964, he graduated MSU with a B.A.Sc. degree. He was a premier collegiate alpine skier who achieved national prominence and in 1962, he was named to the NCAA All-American Ski Team.

In the fall of 1964, fortune came his way and he was offered an opening in a flying school in Helena, MT. On a whim, he began flying lessons and received his Commercial and Instrument Certificates, along with Ground and Flight Instructor ratings. His love of flying was born. In 1965, fortune smiled again when Northwest Airlines hired him at the young age of 25 and by age 29, he had obtained the position of Captain on the B-727. During the Vietnam War, he flew voluntary Military Air Command (MAC) missions aboard the B-707/320 aircraft into Cam Ranh Bay and Da Nang. A highly respected pilot, he remained at Northwest for 35 years, also having flown the B-720, DC-10 and B-747 aircraft. In 1996, he met his soulmate and one true love, Jerri, at a crew breakfast table in Manila and together they built a beautiful life sharing a remarkable and admired love story. They completed their dreams of creating their “together” home in Arizona, traveling the world, and living in a log cabin in the Canadian wilderness. They were inseparable and truly lived their “Best Life". Mike retired in 2000 after spending his final 16 years at Northwest flying internationally as Captain on the B-747.

Upon retirement, Mike volunteered with the Commemorative Air Force’s Arizona Wing, where he flew the B-17G Flying Fortress "Sentimental Journey" Warbird for eight years and served as Wing Operations Officer. He also obtained his CE-500 type rating for the Cessna Citation business jet. His love of flying never wavered, even after his Parkinson’s diagnoses grounded him.

Always a gentleman, Mike was well known for his kindness, humility, caring for others and his sincere quiet strength. He was completely and effortlessly always himself and met everyone with honesty, warmth and ease. He was profoundly loved and respected by his family and all who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered. His family invites everyone to privately celebrate his life in their own meaningful ways, whether it be raising a glass at sunset, watching the contrails of a high-flying jet or simply remembering his gentle spirit. Respecting Mike’s wishes, a cremation and private simple family service was held.

Published on Legacy.com November 11, 2026

RC/NWA/DL pilot & instructor David C. Johnson

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

RC/NWA/DL pilot & instructor David C. Johnson 

February 2, 1955  -  November 4, 2026

Dave became a flight instructor, from there Dave flew for Bemidji Airlines, then Mesaba Airlines, and then his dream job, flying Convair 580s and DC-9s for Republic Airlines............

After his mandatory government retirement at age 65, Dave enjoyed immensely instructing new students and active pilots for Delta Airlines in Atlanta and Salt Lake City, until May of this year, shortly after turning age 71............................

Dave is survived by his wife Tenley, and by his sons Tim and Tom and their families.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/david-johnson-obituary?id=62945673 

https://www.grandstrandfh.com/obituaries/David-C-Johnson?obId=50114394#/obituaryInfo   

David Johnson Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Grandstrand Funeral Home & Cremation Service - Lindstrom on Nov. 9, 2026.

David Joined our son, brother and uncle Andrew in heaven on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, due to prostate cancer. For almost six years Dave fought hard, and the family fought hard with him, with love. He never gave up. What a reunion that was between those two in heaven – it brings us tears of joy!

Dave was born February 2, 1955 in Racine, Wisconsin to Clarence and Jean Johnson. Dave knew at age three that aviation was in his blood. He would sit oni the floor with an oscillating fan in between his legs pretending it was the prop of an airplane.

Football was part of his years at Horlick High School in Racine. He then attended and played football at Golden Valley Lutheran College in Golden Valley, MN. That's where he met Tenley Pavek, and they were married in 1976 in her hometown of Rapid City, South Dakota. We just celebrated 50 years of marriage this last July.

It was that year, 1976, when Dave took his first introductory flight at Thunderbird Aviation, and his aviation dream began. Every week we'd go to MSP, walk the concourses, watch airplanes pull up to their gate, and watch the pilots. Dave would dream of having their job. We worked HARD, achieving each rating, when Dave became a flight instructor there. From there Dave flew for Bemidji Airlines, then Mesaba Airlines, and then his dream job, flying Convair 580s and DC-9s for Republic Airlines. That was his ultimate. He knew he made his goal then.

During those career steps Dave was a volunteer fire fighter in Ham Lake, MN, where he felt even more fulfilled serving the public. Moving then to Chisago City, MN, was when Republic Airlines merged with Northwest Airlines, and then a few years later, the merger of Northwest with Delta Airlines happened. Dave took it in stride and always tried to help his crews through their challenges of uncertainties. Going to work was never work for Dave. He enjoyed helping people regardless of the situation. He was an excellent leader inside and outside the cockpit and he remained calm in stressful situations. Dave also enjoyed doing instructing and being check airman during his career.

After his mandatory government retirement at age 65, Dave enjoyed immensely instructing new students and active pilots for Delta Airlines in Atlanta and Salt Lake City, until May of this year, shortly after turning age 71. Continuing instructing for Delta Airlines helped him mentally get through his cancer treatments, kept his mind sharp and focused, and he was still sharing his love of aviation.

He lived the best role model as a father and grandfather. He taught his sons (Tom, Andrew, and Tim), how to live a meaningful and honest life. He wants them to be happy and honest no matter what they decide to do in life.

Dave found time to coach the boys' baseball teams throughout their entire baseball years and he looked forward to filming the Chisago Lake High School football games on Friday nights, for many years.

On top of that, he was the master leader and teacher for our family keeping up the routine maintenance duties on our hobby farm and anything with an engine. As the boys and granddaughters have said, "Pops can fix anything!" To final weeks, Dave enjoyed general aviation flights with his boys.

His greatest joys were moments with God in silence, his favorite prayer being "The Lord's Prayer". He verbalized, "It is complete but you must say it slowly to truly take it all in." Other joys were family, immediate and extended. And OH, his precious granddaughters, Piper, Jade, and Reese. THEY BROUGHT HIS TRUE JOY. When times were stressful, their visits and voices brought him peace and enjoyment. Even if it was just cuddling in a blanket. He attended as many of their activities as he possibly could. In our household we often talk about ALL of our blessings from God and try to remain positive with prayers of THANKSGIVING for all of our gifts bestowed.

Dave was preceded in death by his son, Andrew Thomas Johnson, a sister-in-law (Lori), his parents (Clarence & Jean), and his parents in-law, (Merle & Lydia Pavek).

Dave's loving survivors are his wife Tenley, son, Tim, and son Tom (Becca), sister (Carol), brother-in-law Tim (Kathleen) Pavek, sister-in-law Carmia (Ron), sister-in-law Peggy (Bob). Also, his precious grand-daughters, Piper, Jade and Reese. Dave has many nieces and nephews as well.

NWA Capt. Duval F. Moss III

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA Capt. Duval F. Moss III

June 11, 1945 - October 16, 2026

He retired as a Commander from the Navy and then took his aviation skills to Northwest Airlines where he flew another 17 years commercially..................

Duval joined Northwest Airlines 03-03-1989 and retired with Northwest in 2005.  He is survived by his wife Debbie, and by his children and their families.

https://www.reisfamilymortuary.net/obituaries/duval-moss/#!/Obituary 

Obituary for Duval F. Moss III

Born in Mexico City on June 11, 1945, to Margaret (née Louise Shedwick) and Duval F Moss II.

He spent the first 12 years of his life in Mexico City, Puebla, and Vera Cruz. The family, which included his younger brother Roger, then moved to Dallas where he finished middle and high school.

Duval graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in business and soon after entered Navy

Officer Candidate School. He served 20 years in the Navy as an aviator flying A4’s, T2’s, T39’s, among other aircraft and served 2 tours on the USS Coral Sea where he was the “yellow shirt” launching and catching the planes. He was stationed in San Diego, Whidbey Island, Beeville Texas, Subic Bay, and Norfolk. He retired as a Commander from the Navy and then took his aviation skills to Northwest Airlines where he flew another 17 years commercially until mandated retirement at 60.

Duval was an avid fly fisherman from an early age. Even while living in Dallas he figured out ways to fish the local creeks and lakes using artificial lures and flies with rudimentary

equipment. At one point he pursued graduate work in fisheries studies, but it was advanced studies in fly fishing that he was truly after. His mind was always on the stream and the next trout he could land.

He spent his retirement at the family home in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, a place where he truly loved life. His days were filled with the things he enjoyed most—fly fishing in the streams with friends, snowshoeing, biking, and cross-country skiing. He had a lifelong love of the outdoors and found so much happiness in being surrounded by the beauty of the mountains and rivers. He especially loved sharing those adventures with his black lab Hank.

His other passion was a 1963 Porsche 356B (banana slug yellow) that he used as a regular

driver for many years and kept with him during his many moves. This car represented a joyous and adventurous period of his life which he reminisced about often.

He was preceded by his first wife Heather, and his dog Hank. He is survived by his two children from the first marriage April and Robb, his two children from the second marriage Sam and Julia, his second wife Debbie, his brother Roger, his in-law daughters Aleksandra and Lily, his in-law sons Tyler and Rob, and his grandsons Konrad and Sebastian.

We love you Pop. Hope the bugs are hatching and the fish are biting.

WA/DL Capt. Kent Tekrony

 ~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. Kent Tekrony

August 12, 1940 ~ October 30, 2026

From friends and family we have learned of the passing of Captain Kent Tekrony.....

Following his military service, Kent David Tekrony joined Western Airlines 04-22-1968.  Kent is survived by his wife Jeanine.

Arrangements are not yet known....should more information be received, we will pass it along.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site