NWA Capt. Bradley Pass

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA Capt. Bradley Pass

March 30, 1941 ~ August 22, 2026            

 

Minneapolis lost a uniquely generous and magnanimous resident when Bradley John Pass, age 85, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22…………

Brad joined Northwest Airlines 06-06-1966 and retired with Northwest in 2001.  Widowed in 2024, Brad is survived by his children and grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to the family at 5139 S 34th Ave #17097, Minneapolis, MN 55417.

 PCN memorial site     

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/bradley-pass-obituary?id=62285416 

Bradley Pass Obituary

Obituary :  Cremation Society of Minnesota (First Memorial Funeral Chapel) - Edina

Minneapolis lost a uniquely generous and magnanimous resident when Bradley John Pass, age 85, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2026.

Brad was born to Melvin Pass and Dorothy (Kolbert) Pass on March 30, 1941 in Minneapolis, MN. He graduated from Murray High School in St. Paul, MN and attended the University of Minnesota before embarking on his career as pilot on 6/6/1966.

Brad met Carol Armstrong through a friend and they wed on Dec. 18, 1971. Together, Brad and Carol had two sons, Gabriel and Daniel. Both before and after their sons were born, Brad and Carol traveled the world as opportunistic adventurers, operating with a lot of information but not a lot of plans, seeking out-of-the way gems with the best food and most interesting tours. Brad turned an old green mining truck into a camper, and they were notorious for bringing along friends in their tiny house on wheels to places like Glacier National Park, California, and Colorado.

In the 1970s, the duo opened The Dark Room at 2116 Lyndale Avenue S., and The Great Northwest Gentlemen's Apparel and Haberdashery (with Carol's sister Judy) in Dinky Dale. Brad and Carol filled their house with hand-made light fixtures and local artwork, sharing beauty with their visitors. Brad was a photographer and potter who built his own pottery wheels. Throughout his life, people were drawn to Brad's easy-going nature, and as he worked around his house and the neighborhood, he was often seen teaching others how to use a hammer and saw. When Dan was born, he and Gabriel created a rocking machine to help soothe the baby. They built many things over the years, including an AM radio and an impressive treehouse in the backyard. Brad was a master craftsman, renovating many houses and putting creative touches on his own. He enjoyed motorcycling and bringing their boat out on the St. Croix River.

Brad surveyed the Alaska backcountry, and then spent 35 years flying for Northwest Airlines. He started on a turbine prop, the Lockheed Electra, and then shifted to the 747. His extended trips took him as far away as Tokyo, with overnight stops in Honolulu, and Amsterdam with stops in Miami. He worked his way up to DC-10 Instructor Pilot and Check Pilot. Brad hit mandatory retirement at age 60 in March 2001. Upon retiring, he flew the B25 Bomber Miss Mitchell for the Minnesota Wing of the Commemorative Air Force, receiving their First to Lead award in 2003, Top Communications award in 2005 and Airman of the Year award in 2006.

At 6 foot, 4 inches, Brad was taller than most but he didn't tower over people. Instead, he was a warm person who found ways to make everyone feel like they belonged – no matter who they were. He taught his children and others by example. "Beepa Brad" loved caring for his grandchildren, listening to them and telling them stories. Aurora remembers him picking her up from swim team practice using his airline captain schpiel, "Good afternoon, this is your captain speaking. The time is now___. The weather in Minneapolis is good, and your flight is expected to arrive on time at gate ___." Brad didn't bring casseroles to family dinners, but that didn't mean he came empty-handed. Instead, he arrived with his arms full of snacks, herring, olives and whatever else he thought others would like, and he always had tic tacs in his pocket. Brad's care and generosity extended beyond immediate family, to include 2 foster sons, Becelone and Leroy, who stayed with the family in their teens.

Together with Carol, Brad devoted himself to his community. Brad preferred that his wife, Carol, be in the spotlight, but he was a solid force behind each community effort. Together they personally owned a number houses in East Phillips in an effort to create safe, affordable housing for the neighborhood, where they also resided for nearly 60 years. Brad was generous with his time. He served on the board of the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute until his death, supporting the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm project at the former Roof Depot. He and Carol raised funds to build the East Phillips Cultural and Community Center, supported renovation and redevelopment of the neighborhood pool to create the Phillips Aquatics Center, and raised funds for numerous housing initiatives in East Phillips, striving to bring happiness, resources, and attention to the community. They were proud of having worked to stop many environmental injustices, like the garbage burner and the Hiawatha Public Works Expansion Project, and birthing the East Phillips Indoor Urban Farm project at the former Roof Depot. Brad helped organized Clean Sweep in East Phillips for many years and helped manage the Community Garden at 2428 17th Avenue S. He served on the Capital Long Range Improvement Committee for Minneapolis Parks, the board of the Green Institute, and the design team for the East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center. He always brought the coffee and donuts.

Brad was known for his ability to bring people together in diplomatic ways that made everyone feel seen and heard, even when they didn't all agree. He could be firm in his advocacy for the community while still coming off as polite and magnanimous, helping others focus in on the common good. Brad knew how to read a room. Carol was the strategist and he punctuated their work.

Brad was indeed the person you wanted flying the plane. Smart, steady, unflappable, level headed - while also being extremely caring, gentle, kind, warm and humble. There was always a smile under that mustache.

In his final years, although he suffered from cancer, Brad was the easiest person to live with. He practiced gratitude, kindness and respect toward everyone around him daily. The day before his death, Brad told his nurse, "I'm sorry that my departure will prevent me from being here."

Survived by: brother Roger (Grace) Pass; children: Gabriel (Amy) Pass and Daniel (Laurel) Pass; and grandchildren: Francisca, Aurora, Rosslyn, Ailsa (Autumn), and Moira (Jay).

Preceded by his parents Melvin Pass and Dorothy (Kolbert) Pass, and wife Carol Armstrong Pass (in 2024).

A private memorial will be held with interment at Fairview Cemetery in Mound. Arrangements by the Cremation Society of Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute or the Commemorative Air Force. Notes to the family, memories and photos may be left in the online guestbook. Cards may be sent to the family at 5139 S 34th Ave #17097, Minneapolis, MN 55417. 

 

https://cremationsocietyofmn.com/tribute/details/79411 

Carol Ann Armstrong Pass

August 28, 1942 - May 28, 2024

NWA/DL Capt. Craig Christilaw

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

NWA/DL Capt. Craig Christilaw

January 24, 1951 ~ August 16, 2026

 

Craig fell in love with flying at the age of five when he took an airplane ride in an old Aeronca……….

Craig joined Northwest Airlines 10-13-1989 and retired with Delta Air Lines based Detroit.  Craig is survived by his wife Colleen, and by his two children and their families.

A Celebration of Craig’s Life reception will be held on September 9, 2026 from 5:00-8:00 PM at Camp Blodgett Retreat Center in West Olive, Michigan….please see obituary details below.

 

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/craig-christilaw-obituary?id=62266318

Obituary : On August 16, 2026 at age 75, Craig Christilaw began his solo flight to his final resting place after a short battle with glioblastoma. Born in Midland, Michigan in 1951, Craig was the eldest of five children and grew up driving tractors on his family's farm. He obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation from Western Michigan University. Craig fell in love with flying at the age of five when he took an airplane ride in an old Aeronca. This lifelong passion became a defining thread throughout his entire life.

Craig’s flying career took him from the small single-engine airplanes of his college years to some of the world’s great commercial aircraft. As a Department of Aviation student at Western, he paid for airplane rental by working as a lineman, refueling airplanes on the Kalamazoo airfield, building time in Cessna 150s, 172s, 177s and 182s, Mooney M-10 Cadets, Piper Cherokees and Grumman American AA-1B and -1Cs. After graduation and his marriage to his loving wife of 50 years, Colleen, he became a “freight dog,” hauling automotive parts in twin Cessna 310s, 402s and 411s. His career flourished from there and with it came flying time in the Beech 99, Hawker Siddeley 125, Gulfstream Turbo Commander, Boeing 727, Citation III, Lear 35A, Navajo Chieftain, Cessna 421 Golden Eagle, IAI Westwind 2 and Challenger 600. In 1989, Craig landed his dream job with Northwest Airlines, where he flew the Boeing 727, DC-9, Airbus A320 and ultimately the A330. After Northwest merged with Delta Airlines, the boy who had fallen in love with flying during a ride in an old Aeronca, finished his professional career crossing oceans in the A330 for Delta, flying international routes before retiring in 2011.

During retirement, Craig owned two airplanes, bringing his remarkable aviation journey almost full circle, back to the kind of small airplanes that had first captured his imagination as a child. He returned to flying purely for the joy of it, owning first a Grumman American AA-1A Yankee and later a Cessna 177 Cardinal, both of which he adored. Desiring to give back to the local aviation community, he served on the City of Grand Haven Airport Board and in 2016, as a Grand Haven Aviation Association member, he spent his entire summer nearly single-handedly re-painting the F-100 Super Sabre jet in Thunderbird colors at the Grand Haven City Airport. He enjoyed being a member of EAA Chapter 211 at the Grand Haven Airport and volunteered many hours to help restore vintage aircraft with fellow airplane enthusiasts.

An involved father, Craig coached his son’s AYSO soccer teams and Odyssey of the Mind team, cheered on his children at their sporting and school events, and enthusiastically attended his daughter’s various musical, theatre, and dance performances. Time with his family was always among his greatest joys. They shared a lifelong closeness and spent time together as much as possible. He was an Amateur Radio enthusiast, an interest that started in high school and only ended when his brain cancer silenced him this summer. He loved talking daily on the 80-meter band across the North American continent and the 2-meter band locally. He had many steadfast radio friends across the USA from 30 years of talking on the 4:30 to 5:30 am “Nut Factory” net. He was also a member of North Ottawa Amateur Radio Club (NOARC) for years and enjoyed contributing to public service activities and Field Days.

Craig loved adventure and was keen on rollerblading, skydiving (22 jumps), jet ski adventures, motorcycle riding, backpack camping, and long-distance car driving. He had a 60-year, love/hate yet faithful relationship with Detroit Tigers baseball and Detroit Lions football with the frequent refrain, “next year they are going to win it.” He perfected swimming pool maintenance for his backyard pools and was known as the Cannonball King for his expertise in that maneuver. Craig was a generous and kind person, meeting everyone with a wide smile. His life was committed to hard work, integrity, and consideration of others. He made many friends at the local Y in his years of daily workouts and on his twice-daily dog walks into Lake Forest Cemetery. He was known in jest as the “Mayor of Gladys Circle”. He was a treasure to his family, and they were his greatest treasures. He will be missed forever by his family and many, many friends.

Craig is survived by his true love, Colleen Rockey, and his adored children; son, Matthew Christilaw, daughter Cathleen (Drew) Kenney and his beloved golden retriever, Princess Violet, and granddog Lucy; also by his siblings, Janine (Randy) Bingham, Ward (Lynne) Christilaw, and Teresa (Billie Jo) Christilaw and brothers-in-law, Larry (Linda) Rockey, Bruce Rockey, James (Maria) Rockey, and Daniel (Tifenn Boisard) Rockey, and his treasured nephews and nieces and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Christilaw and Clare Chritz, his brother, Scott Christilaw, his parents-in-law, Gordon and Alyce Rockey, brother-in-law William Rockey and his cherished Labrador Retrievers, Emma and Luke and granddog, Stella.

A Celebration of Craig’s Life reception will be held on Wednesday September 9, 2026, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Camp Blodgett Retreat Center, 10451 Lakeshore Ave, West Olive. We welcome family, friends, and his many acquaintances to join us.

PAA/DL Capt. Jackson "Jack" Newberry

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, PAA/DL Capt. Jackson "Jack" Newberry

June 27, 1937 ~ August 14, 2026

 

For a boy raised on that farm in Powersville GA, his life became an extraordinary journey……

Captain Jackson Irving "Jack" Newberry Jr. joined Pan American 11-7-1966 and retired with Delta Air Lines with 30 plus years of commercial flying.  Jack is survived by his wife Maggie, and by their two sons and their son’s families.

PCN memorial site

 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/jackson-newberry-obituary?id=62259303 

Jackson Newberry Obituary

Obituary :   Nelson-Berna Funeral Home & Crematory of Rogers AR

Jackson Irving "Jack" Newberry, Jr. was born on June 27, 1937, to Jackson and Eula (Hurdle) Newberry in Annapolis, Maryland. He peacefully passed away on August 14, 2026, at his home in Rogers, Arkansas.

More than any place he traveled or anything he accomplished, Jack treasured his wife, Margaret "Maggie" Cohen. Jack and Maggie married in 1973, and he considered the life they built together his greatest blessing. They returned to the farmland where he had grown up in Middle Georgia and raised two wonderful sons, Jackson Irving "Trey" Newberry III and Thomas Edward "Tom" Newberry.

Jack grew up in Powersville, Georgia, where his family initially lived without electricity. His life unfolded through a series of remarkable and often unexpected opportunities that took him farther than he could have imagined. His path led him to Georgia Tech, where he joined the track team and Navy ROTC, partially because both provided an extra set of much-needed clothing.

Jack went on to serve his country as an aviator in the United States Navy. Following his Navy service, he began a long career as an airline pilot with PAN AM and later Delta Air Lines. He served for many years as a captain while traveling throughout the world. He liked to say that he had jogged on every continent except Antarctica. For a boy raised on that farm in Powersville, his life became an extraordinary journey.

After retiring from flying, Jack spent much of his time developing a registered Angus herd, caring for the land, and enjoying the opportunity to be home most of the time.

In 2019, Jack and Maggie moved to Northwest Arkansas, bringing them closer to their daughter-in-law, Audrey, whom Jack loved as a daughter, and their five precious grandchildren. Jack truly enjoyed discovering the rewards of full retirement.

Jack was deeply loved, cherished, and admired as an accomplished aviator, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. His determination, humility, curiosity, humor, and gratitude shaped every chapter of his story. He will be dearly missed until we meet again.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, Jackson Sr. and Eula Newberry, and his brother, Jim Newberry.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret "Maggie" Newberry; his sons, Jackson Irving "Trey" Newberry III and Thomas Edward "Tom" Newberry; his daughter-in-law, Audrey; his grandchildren, Parker Kathryn, Marcus Edward, Gabriel Edward, Magnolia Grace, and James Beckham; and his sisters, Patricia Adams and Leslie White.

WA/DL Capt. Howard Anderson “Andy” Bowles

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Navy veteran, WA/DL Capt. Howard Anderson “Andy” Bowles

January 6, 1936 ~ July 30, 2026

 

Retired WA/DL Capt. Howard Anderson “Andy” Bowles Jr. joined Western Airlines 01-13-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines based SLC.  Andy is survived by his wife Molly, and by his daughters and their families. 

A Celebration of Life event will be held for Captain Bowles at a later date.

PCN memorial site

 

 

Obituary  :  Howard Anderson “Andy” Bowles, devoted husband, father, grandfather, naval aviator, airline captain, and lifelong adventurer, passed away peacefully at his home in Los Altos, California on July 30, 2026 at the age of 90.

 

Born in Alhambra, California, on January 6, 1936, Andy was awarded a Navy scholarship to and graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering before answering a calling to serve his country as a United States Naval Aviator.

Andy retired as a Commander in the U.S. Navy after a distinguished career that included service during the Vietnam War and command of Patrol Squadron VP-91.

 

Andy’s passion for flying was matched by his love for telling the stories of the extraordinary people with whom he served.

 

Following his military service, Andy enjoyed a second career in the skies, flying for Western Airlines and later as a Captain for Delta Air Lines. Whether in the cockpit or at home, he was most comfortable when guiding others with quiet confidence, sound judgment, and an unfailing sense of responsibility.

 

For nearly sixty-eight years, Andy shared a remarkable marriage with the love of his life, Molly Bowles. Together they built a home grounded in love, laughter, and unwavering support for their family.

 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Molly; his daughters, Susan Zecher (Jim Zecher) and Shari Bowles Gibbons (Phil Gibbons); his grandchildren, Tim Zecher and Catie Zecher; and his brother, Bill Bowles (Judie Bowles).

 

To those who knew him, Andy will be remembered less for the titles he held than for the man he was. He believed in taking responsibility for one’s actions, working hard, treating others with kindness, and stepping forward when leadership was needed. He raised his daughters to embrace those same values, and they became the foundation upon which generations of his family continue to build their lives.

 

Andy possessed an effortless sense of humor that never faded, even during his final years. Those close to him looked forward to spending time with Andy because he made them laugh and treated them like family. In return, they grew deeply attached to the man whose warmth, optimism, and genuine interest in life brightened every room he entered.

 

Outside of work, Andy loved flying, reading, traveling the world, and sharing stories from a life rich with adventure. Whether recounting military missions, memorable flights, or travels abroad, he had a gift for making every story come alive and every listener feel as though they had been there beside him.

 

His legacy lives on not only through his family but through the countless people who learned from his example that true leadership is measured not by recognition but by character. He demonstrated every day that integrity, accountability, generosity, and humor are among life’s greatest accomplishments.

 

A Celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Brain Donation Network in honor of Andy’s lifelong commitment to advancing knowledge and helping future generations.

 

Fair winds and following seas, Captain. Thank you for showing us how to live with courage, humility, and joy.

WAL Sherrie” Wilson-Walton, wife of WA/DL Capt. Mike Walton

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Sharon “Sherrie” Wilson-Walton, wife of WA/DL Capt. Mike Walton

May 22, 1942 – August 15, 2026

PCN memorial site

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/phoenix-az/sharon-walton-13007334

On August 15, 2026, I said goodbye to the love of my life. Sherrie passed away peacefully and without pain in Scottsdale, Arizona, after a brief but heroic battle with bone cancer. For 58 wonderful years, she was my co-pilot, my strength, and my best friend.

 

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Sherrie attended Drake University before following her adventurous spirit into aviation at age 20. She began as a stewardess for Braniff Airways in Dallas and later moved to Seattle to fly the Lockheed Constellation for Pacific Northern Airlines to Alaska, a land and people she grew to love deeply. That was where our story truly began—on my very first flight with PNA to Kodiak, Alaska. I fell in love with her grace and love for life. We were married in Hawaii in July 1968, embarking on a life rich in family, service, and extraordinary adventure. Sherrie remained in the airline industry until retiring from Western Airlines in 1975.

 

Sherrie’s heart belonged entirely to her family. Together, we adopted our two beautiful daughters from Thailand and a son from Iowa. She immersed herself in every moment of their lives—cheering at soccer games, sitting through cheerleading practices, helping with homework, and walking the fairways during Jr. PGA tournaments. When our family grew, she poured that same fierce, tender love into being a grandmother to Victoria, John, Peyton, Cameron, Karson, Paris, and Blake.

 

In 1975, we moved to Scottsdale, living along a green golf course before settling in Cave Creek in 1987 so Sherrie could have her horses. She had a wonderful gift for thoughtful gestures. For our second wedding anniversary, she bought me a Stearman aircraft project—a labor of love we worked on and flew together for 44 years, later a gold placer claim in Arizona.

 

Sherrie had a deep, protective love for animals and children. She spent 17 years with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Mounted Search and Rescue, frequently riding her Mustang, Cheyenne, through the trails of the National Forest north of Phoenix. Her courage saved lives: she provided emergency medical aid to a woman crushed under a horse and heroically located a young boy lost in northern Arizona during the dead of winter.

 

Even with a full heart at home, she never stopped learning or giving back. Sherrie earned a degree in Archaeology, volunteered with the Phoenix Art Museum, Kiwanis of Carefree, and the BLM Mustang program, and shared the world with us on family journeys across America, Thailand, Korea, Europe, Russia, and England.

 

Sherrie had an extraordinary knack for making lifelong friends wherever she stepped. She is survived by her husband, Michael; daughters Kimberly Emminger and Tanya (Jack) Maixner; and her seven grandchildren. She lived fully, loved deeply, and left a legacy of courage, warmth, and joy that will stay with us forever.