DL Capt. Raymond Bye

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Raymond “Ray” Bye

December 16, 1943 – September 30, 2026

 

Raymond Selmer Bye joined Delta Air Lines 9-4-1972 and was based Chicago.  Widowed in November of 2024, Ray is survived by his son Jason (Amy) and his grandchildren.

 

PCN memorial site

 

 

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/peoria-il/raymond-bye-13057611 

IN THE CARE OF  :  Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home

Raymond Selmer Bye passed away early Wednesday morning September 30, 2026.

Ray was born on December 16, 1943 in Albert Lea, Minnesota to J. Orlando and Zella (Stuart) Bye and grew up on the family dairy farm in the Kiester area.

 

He graduated from Kiester High School, Kiester, MN in 1961 and Iowa State University, Ames, IA in 1966. Ray was a member of the Iowa State University cross country team and Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. After college Ray was selected for the Navy Aviation Officer Flight School in Pensacola, FL. After advanced jet training at NAS Beeville, TX, Ray received his Navy wings in 1967. He reported to NAS Lemore, CA where he flew the A-7 Corsair with Attack Squadron VA-215. The squadron made a six-month Vietnam cruise in 1969. Ray was awarded two Air Medals. In 1970 he made a six-month Mediterranean cruise.

 

Ray married Heather Catherine Duncan on August 15, 1970. They were blessed with a son, Jason, in 1972.

 

In 1972 Ray was hired by Delta Air Lines. He retired on the Boeing 777 as an International Captain and a Line Check Airman, in 2003. Ray was a long-time member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Crystal Lake, IL. After moving from Huntley, IL to Peoria, IL in 2024 to be near Jason and family, he attended Redeemer Lutheran Church with them. His love and passion were his family, friends, and flying. His grandchildren were a great joy to him.

 

He enjoyed winters in AZ and visiting his family in MN and Heather's family in British Columbia. He is survived by his son Jason (Amy), grandchildren Allison and Jonathan, sister Susan Bernau, and sister-in-law Judy Bye. He was preceded in death by his wife Heather, parents Orlando and Zella Bye, brother James and sister-in-law Carol Bye, brother David Bye, and brother-in-law Marvin Bernau.

 

A private service will be held at a later date and interment will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery near his hometown of Kiester MN.

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/heather-bye-obituary?id=56794659 

Heather Catherine Bye (Duncan), passed away surrounded by her family, early Wednesday morning November 13, 2024.
She was born on August 1, 1944 in Trail, British Columbia the daughter of Alma (Pollock) and Walter Duncan. She attended school in Fruitvale and Trail, BC. After high school she worked at West Kootenay Power & Light Co. in Trail for 2 years before moving to Calgary, Alberta to work as a secretary at Dome Petroleum Limited for 6 years.  Heather married Raymond Bye on August 15, 1970. They were blessed with a son, Jason…………..

DL Capt. Terry Stent

 

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Terry Stent

January 24, 1940 ~ September 22, 2026

 

Ferdinand Thieriot Stent, known to all who loved and admired him as "Terry" ………………

Golden Wings member retired Delta pilot Captain Terry Stent joined Delta Air Lines 06-19-1970 and retired with Delta based Atlanta.  Terry is survived by his wife Margaret, and by his children and their families.

Condolences may be sent to the family at

 1846 Chartwell Trce, Stone Mountain, GA 30087

Services for Terry will be held on November 5th, at All Saints Catholic Church in Atlanta….please see obituary below for details.

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/atlanta/name/ferdinand-stent-obituary?id=62671494

 

Ferdinand STENT Obituary

It is with deep regret and sadness that we announce the passing of Ferdinand Thieriot Stent, on September 22, 2026, known to all who loved and admired him as "Terry." A man of immense talents, intellect, and profound kindness, Terry lived a full and extraordinary life marked by service to his country, distinction in aviation and business, leadership in the arts, and an enduring devotion to his family.

Born into a family rooted in San Francisco, Terry discovered his passion for aviation early in life when he accompanied Frank Fuller who landed his Grumman Mallard seaplane at Sand Harbor in Lake Tahoe. A natural leader and scholar, Terry served as student-body president and valedictorian at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose before heading east to Yale University, where he competed as an All-American swimmer and graduated in 1961. Following college, he pursued his love of flying by joining the United States Navy, completing flight training in Pensacola, Florida to earn his wings. He served with distinction on the USS Coral Sea aircraft carrier as a decorated F-8 Crusader pilot during the Vietnam War, flying 119 missions with extraordinary skill and bravery. His time in the military forged a lifelong reverence for service to his country, discipline, and the camaraderie of the skies.

Following his military service, Terry continued his academic pursuits, graduating with an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1968. Throughout his life, he uniquely balanced a sharp business acumen with an enduring love for flying and aviation. That passion for the skies translated into a distinguished, decades-long career as a pilot with Delta Air Lines. Respected by his colleagues for his meticulous professionalism and calm demeanor in the cockpit, Terry represented the very finest traditions of commercial aviation while skillfully applying his keen business intellect across many endeavors. His devotion to the cockpit was personal as well as professional; driven by a pure joy of flight, Terry continued to fly his own plane for nearly forty years. His deep compassion for others was especially evident from the pilot's seat, where he volunteered his time and aircraft for countless "Angel Flights" and Special Olympics airlifts to support families and athletes in need. A particularly memorable Angel Flight occurred shortly after the September 11 attacks when Terry and his long-time co-pilot and fellow Navy veteran, Jack Dempsey, answered the call to fly critical medical supplies into New York when civilian airspace was largely closed.

After retiring from Delta, Terry directed his vision, leadership, and generosity toward championing the arts. A passionate collector and visionary patron of American art, he served as Chairman of the Board of both the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C. His stewardship left an indelible mark on both institutions, helping to expand collections, broaden public access, and support future generations of scholars and curators through enduring endowments that bear his and his wife's name.

Yet above all of his accomplishments, Terry was defined by his decency and warmth. Described by his brother Peter as a "perfect 10+" role model, he was a man who was genuinely kind to all, treating everyone he encountered with grace, humility, and respect. Central to his life was his wife, Margaret, who was the love of his life for 63 years. They loved each other deeply, sharing an adventurous spirit and a wonderful life together. Alongside close friends and family, Terry and Margaret loved to travel the world, hit the slopes on ski trips, ride horses at his brother Peter's ranch, play golf, and scuba dive in destinations across the globe. Their remarkable partnership was a testament to enduring love, mutual respect, and shared purpose-the cornerstone around which their family grew and flourished.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents Yvonne and Ferdie Stent. He is survived by his devoted wife, Margaret; his children: Suzanne Hartigan (Tim) and Christopher Stent (Jackie); his grandchildren: Kelly Hartigan, Casey Hartigan James (Fletcher), Dillon Hartigan, Emily Stent Moore (Greg), Jessica Stent McGovern (Michael), and Daniel Stent (Alli); his cherished great-grandchildren: Jackson, Julie, Caroline, Grace, Jack, and Hart; his brother, Peter Stent (Nora); and his cousins who became brothers: Peter Thieriot (Marian), the late Robin Thieriot, Dade Thieriot, and Cameron Thieriot (Tammy).

Terry leaves behind a legacy of integrity, generosity, and quiet excellence that will continue to guide and inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 11:00 AM, at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mt. Vernon Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30338.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas or the charity of your choice.

 

 

 

Dr. Patricia Wilson, wife of DL Capt. Wendell M. Wilson

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Dr. Patricia Wilson, wife of DL Capt. Wendell M. Wilson

 

Dr. Patricia (Pat) Jane Potter Wilson, 80, of Seabrook, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, leaving behind a profound legacy of educational impact, friendship, and community service.

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/houstonchronicle/name/patricia-wilson-obituary?id=62631001

Patricia Wilson Obituary

Dr. Patricia (Pat) Jane Potter Wilson, 80, of Seabrook, Texas, passed away peacefully on September 11, 2026, leaving behind a profound legacy of educational impact, friendship, and community service.

A Life of Professional Distinction

Born in Jennings, Louisiana to the late Ralph H. and Wilda Ruth (Smith) Potter, Pat was raised in Lake Arthur and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Lake Arthur High School. She then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 1967; a Master of Science in Education from the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1979; and a Ph.D in Education from the University of Houston in 1985, where she was selected "Most Outstanding Graduate Student in Curriculum and Instruction".

Over a distinguished 35-year career as an educator, Pat started teaching in elementary school, but spent most of her career as a professor at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in the School of Education, retiring with emerita status. She was the author or coauthor of seven published books. Pat received numerous teaching awards, including the President's Distinguished Teaching Award (UHCL 1996); the UHCL Campus Minnie Piper Award; and the Texas Student Education Association Teaching Excellence Award.

Pat was honored with the Distinguished Alumna Award at the University of Houston-Clear Lake in 1998 and the Distinguished Alumna Award in the College of Education at the University of Houston in 2023. Pat also designed and established the Children's Library at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Texas.

Partners in Service and Purpose

Pat and her beloved husband, Wendell M. Wilson, a retired Air Force and Delta Air Lines captain, were inseparable partners in life. During their 58-year marriage, they shared in many community projects, substantial philanthropy, and astounding travel adventures.

Pat, with Wendell's unfaltering support, was heavily involved as a dedicated community leader and served on numerous boards throughout Houston and the Bay Area, including President of Friends of Freeman Library, Friends of Evelyn Meador Library, Lunar Rendezvous Festival, Armand Bayou Nature Center, the Longhorn Project with NASA/CCISD/Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and the Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership

Pat and Wendell endowed the Dr. Patricia Wilson School of Education Outstanding Students Scholarship at UHCL and established the Dr. Patricia Potter Wilson and Captain Wendell Wilson Presidential Endowed Scholarship at the University of Houston. In 2015, they established Pat and Wendell Wilson Park on the campus of the University of Houston-Clear Lake, which includes the beautiful "Potter Pond". Six years later, they added Serenity Garden at Potter Pond, an extension of the Park filled with native Texas flora and fauna, to provide an idyllic space for reflection to all who visited.

UHCL recognized Pat and Wendell with its 2015 President's Cabinet Leadership Award, specifically citing their devotion to education, service, and philanthropy. One of Pat's other passions was serving as owner and vice president of Potter Farms, Inc., in Louisiana, a family agricultural business specializing in rice farming, miniature horses, and oil and gas.

World Explorers

Pat and Wendell traveled the world. Their shared love for adventure mirrored their passion for community impact. Pat and Wendell enjoyed travel as a way to deeply and meaningfully connect with the world. Wendell navigated maps, planned logistics, and photographed their journeys as they together explored 137 countries across all seven continents. From trekking through Nepal to immersing themselves in local cultures in Africa and Southeast Asia to exploring the North Pole and Antarctica, their travel life was a beautiful tapestry of curiosity and companionship.

Pat is survived by her devoted husband, Captain Wendell M. Wilson; her sister Debbie Parker of Louisiana; many loving friends; and a vast and diverse community that is infinitely richer for having been blessed to know her.

A celebration of Pat's extraordinary life will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial donations be made in her honor to the University of Houston-Clear Lake to either (i) the Wendell & Patricia Wilson Duck Pond Bequest or (ii) the Dr. Patricia Potter Wilson School of Education Outstanding Student Scholarship by giving online at www.uhcl.edu/giving or by calling UHCL Office of Giving at (281)283-2037.

WAL Capt. William “Bill” Newell 1924 ~ 2025

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

WWII veteran, WAL Capt. William “Bill” Newell

May 8, 1924 ~ May 13, 2025

 

William Edmond Newell joined Western Airlines 04-10-1950.

Remembered and not forgotten….in 2015 the Prescott AZ newspaper ran an interview/article honoring Bill’s service.  Bill became a member of The Caterpillar Club (an international organization for people whose lives were saved by using a parachute to escape a disabled aircraft). Bill was taken as a POW on March 29, 1944.  Some excerpts below are taken from that news article.  Bill did another lovely interview with the local newspaper which you can still view at    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A4KHMMDPBQ  pt.1  and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FTVd-sccEY   pt.2

World War II Prescott Valley retiree Bill Newell….. 19-year-old fighter pilot, Newell was shot down on 13th Mission over Germany.

“What sustained Newell throughout his ordeal was pictures of his wife - especially one with a lock of her hair carefully tucked inside its plastic wrapping. He has faithfully carried that picture in his wallet ever since.”  Bill and his wife Patricia was a forever love story….Patricia “Pat” passed in 2007.

 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/304007032/william-e-newell 

William E. Newell

Birth   8 May 1924

Death   13 May 2025 (aged 101)

Burial   Prescott National Cemetery

Prescott, Yavapai County, Arizona

Plot   SEC K, ROW A, SITE 79

 

https://americanarchive.iwm.org.uk/archive/person/william-edmond-newell

Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant

Role/Job: Fighter Pilot

Awards: European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Prisoner of War Medal World War II Victory Medal

Assigned 335FS, 4FG, 8AF USAAF. Failed to Return from mission, hit by Flak, coolant system streaming glycol, Lt Newell abandoned P-51 43-6759 near Lingen, Germany. 29-Mar-44 POW. MACR 3524.

Awards: POW, WWII Victory, EAME.

Post War: Retired as VP Flight Operations for Western Airlines having flown for them for 32 years.

DL Capt. Thomas C. Kenna

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, DL Capt. Thomas C. Kenna

January 11, 1943 ~ August 30, 2026

 

The family of Captain Tom Kenna has shared the sad news of his passing in late August.  The family will always remember Tom and celebrate the life he lived so well.  Private services have been held. Please see Tom’s obituary below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

PCN memorial site

 

Obituary : Capt. Tom Kenna

Thomas Christopher Kenna was born in Los Angles on January 11, 1943 to Thomas William Kenna and Mary Jane Hill Kenna.

Tom was the proud older brother - by a few years - to Michael James Kenna and Richard Hill Kenna.

Tom’s family soon moved to Los Altos CA where he grew up looking at the skies, naming all the airplanes flying overhead.  He wanted to be a pilot from an early age and ultimately moved his life in that direction.

He graduated from San Jose State University, majoring in Accounting and Finance, becoming a member of ROTC and went on to join the Air Force in 1964.  He pilot trained in Laredo and was a pilot instructor until 1969.  In the meantime, Tom was hired as a pilot by Delta Air Lines 3-14-69 and doing double duty, after his active service concluded.  Tom found a Reserve flying position with PRANG, the Puerto Rico Air National Guard until 1972.

Tom spent a lifetime doing what he loved. After many assignments, he attained rank as Colonel Kenna and retired from the Air Force having served his country proudly for many years.

Tom was last based LAX with Delta Air Lines, retired in 2003, age 60.

Tom was an avid world traveler while in the AF and as a Delta employee, carrying on his travel adventures in retirement.  Fly fishing remote mountain streams, deep sea big rig angling, backpacking, mountain climbing, golf, tennis, and skiing were his favorite outdoor sports - he was good at everything he did.  The stock market was his favorite indoor challenge. 

After retirement and during COVID, Tom moved to Stuart, Florida from his longtime home overlooking the beautiful Lake Tahoe in Incline Village, NV.  He lived his dreams and died peacefully under the care of TrustBridge Hospice on 30 August 2026, with his wife by his side.

Thomas Christopher Kenna leaves behind Rhonda, his wife and travel companion of a zillion years, and two brothers, Michael Kenna of Virginia and Richard “Dick” Kenna of The Villages, Florida.