NAL/PAA/DL pilot Francis Xavier Pignone Jr.

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NAL/PAA/DL pilot Francis Xavier Pignone Jr.

August 21, 1939 ~ August 25, 2019

Notification with the passing of retired National/Pan Am/Delta pilot Francis Xavier Pignone Jr., age 80.  I believe F/O Pignone began his commercial flying in September 1969 and was based NYC/031 with Delta Air Lines at time of retirement.

Obituary information may be viewed online at

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/gotha-fl/francis-pignone-8835067 

Also at

https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/orlandosentinel/obituary.aspx?n=francis-xavier-pignone&pid=193764095

Arrangements were entrusted to Woodlawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home of Gotha, Florida. 

The obituary notes that a celebration of life service will be held on August 31 at Church of the Ascension in Orlando, Florida with reception to follow.  If more is learned we will be sure to update our memorial site.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary………… Francis Xavier Pignone Jr.

Frank Pignone, 80, died August 25, 2019 after a brief illness. Frank was born August 21, 1939 in Washington, D.C., at Georgetown University Hospital to Francis X. Pignone and Jessie Grace Moore. He attended elementary school at St. Mary's in Alexandria, Virginia before moving to Orlando in 1950.

He graduated from Edgewater High School in 1957 and the Military College of South Carolina (The Citadel) in 1962. Following pilot training in Del Rio, Texas, Frank served as an officer in the United States Air Force at Pease AFB, New Hampshire, Pope AFB, North Carolina and Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung, Taiwan during the conflict in Vietnam, flying the C-130 Hercules.

Following his service in the United States Air Force, he returned to Orlando and began a career in commercial aviation in 1969, first for National Airlines, followed by Pan American Airlines and Delta Airlines and was a proud member of the Airline Pilots Association. He retired from flying in 2003. In his career as a pilot, he had many opportunities to travel around the world and carry many interesting passengers from Mother Teresa to Dusty Rhodes.

Frank pursued a number of other interests throughout his life in addition to aviation, many in the area of community service. He was elected as a member of the Orange County School Board in the mid-1970's, and he served on the State of Florida Housing Finance Authority as an appointee of Governor Bob Graham. He also pursued several business interests including serving as a founder of Commercial State Bank, and owning a series of publishing ventures. He loved to watch sports, keep up with the news, and was a strong advocate for the less fortunate.

Frank is survived by his wife Nancy Kirtley Pignone; his son Michael and Michael's wife Lisa; grandchildren Kevin and Kaley; sisters Patricia, Theresa, Barbara, and Priscilla. He is preceded in death by his sister Joan and by his beloved son, Scott.

He is also survived by the mother of his children, Frances Sharp Pignone.

"Mr. Frank" was delighted to join a large extended Kirtley family, including 4 children and their spouses, nine grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, August 31, 2019 at 11:00 am at Church of the Ascension, 4950 S Apopka Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32819. A reception will follow the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Foundation for Fighting Blindness or the Central Florida YMCA.

DL Capt. Jeffrey Bruce Johnson

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Jeffrey Bruce Johnson

February 25, 1945 - August 20, 2019

Word has reached our group with the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain Jeffrey Bruce Johnson, age 74.  Captain Johnson joined Delta Air Lines 01-13-1977 and retired with Delta based 030/ATL, Line Chk Pilot.  He is survived by his wife Georgie, their children and grandchildren, plus many other friends and dear family members.

To view the obituary online and share memories please visit

https://www.carmichaelfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/Jeffrey-Bruce-Johnson?obId=6518252#/celebrationWall

Visitation and services are planned for August 30^th at Carmichael Funeral Home of Marietta, Georgia.

For those wishing to share a personal note, condolences may be sent to the family at

1495 MOUNTAIN RESERVE DR NW

KENNESAW GA 30152-4845

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary and guestbook https://www.carmichaelfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/

Jeffrey Bruce Johnson of Kennesaw, a decorated Navy pilot in the Vietnam War and a former Delta Air Lines pilot, died August 20 after a long battle with a number of health issues thought to be a result of exposure to Agent Orange while overseas in Vietnam. He was 74. He was born on February 25, 1945, in San Francisco, CA to Raymond and Elma Johnson. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, in 1967, a proud member of the 33rd Company fondly known as “The Mets”, and began active military service as a Navy pilot. He volunteered to fly OV-10s with Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4), known as “The Black Ponies”. On May 25, 1969, Johnson was co-pilot of a plane on armed surveillance patrol in Vietnam when he responded to a call for help from ambushed US soldiers on the ground near Rạch Gia. During the attack on the enemy, Johnson’s pilot was shot and killed. But Johnson managed to regain control of the aircraft despite damage to the plane and get it back to home base. For his heroic action, Johnson was recommended for and received a Naval commendation medal for meritorious service. In the commendation letter, the commanding officer said, “LTJG Johnson’s professional skill, sense of responsibility, and calmness under fire are commendable and in keeping with the highest tradition of United States Naval Service”. Johnson also received a National Defense Service Medal, 17 air medals, the Republic of Vietnam Medal, and four Navy commendation medals. He served in the Navy from 1967-1973 and in the Naval Reserves from 1973-1979. Johnson was a Delta pilot from 1977 until his retirement in June 2004, flying the MD88, Boeing 757, and Boeing 767. He received his MBA from the University of North Florida. His hobbies and interests included tennis, Georgia football, and the stock market. He was also devoted to his family with many fond memories of ski trips, scout trips, and family vacations. Survivors include his wife, Georgie; twin sons Jason (Anna) of Cartersville, Jeffrey (Sarah) of Dawsonville, and daughter Jessica Busbee (Chris) of Marietta; brother Donald Alston of Jacksonville, FL; sister Joyce Johnson Saltsman of The Villages, FL; and seven grandchildren, Jack and Grace Johnson, Cole, Camdyn and Delainey Johnson, and Elliot and Avery Busbee. Carmichael Funeral Home in Marietta are handling arrangements. A memorial service is planned on Friday, August 30. The visitation is at 12:30pm with the service to start at 1:30pm. His final interment shall be at the USNA Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Warrior Farms Project and The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society are appreciated.

Warrior Farms Project: https://www.warriorfarms.farm/donate/#donate

 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: https://donate.lls.org/mwoy/donate

PAA/DL Capt. Robert C. Voss

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, PAA/DL Capt. Robert C. Voss

January 4, 1940 – August 21, 2019

Notification with the passing of retired Pan Am/Delta pilot Captain Robert Clifton Voss, age 79.  Captain Voss joined Pan American 06-17-1968 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  Widowed in February with the passing of his wife Barbara (obituary below), Captain Voss is survived by his children and grandchildren plus many other family members.

Obituary information may be viewed online at the funeral home website:

 https://www.lairdfh.com/obituary/robert-voss

Visitation : Tuesday, Aug 27, 2019  from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Funeral Service  :  Tuesday, Aug 27, 2019  at 11:00 AM

Location : St. Mary Basilica on Union St. in Natchez, MS 39120

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary………….Robert Clifton Voss

— A Memorial Mass for Robert Clifton Voss, 79, of New Orleans, who died peacefully Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, after a four-year fight against Alzheimer's, will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Mary Basilica.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time at the church.

Local arrangements under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Voss was born Jan. 4, 1940, in Natchez, one of seven children of Axel and Delphine Voss.

Bob graduated from Cathedral High School in 1958 and was a three-sport letterman and won the Sportsmanship Award.

He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1962 with a bachelor of science degree in accounting. He was president of the freshman class and treasurer of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.

Bob joined the U.S. Navy and was selected as a reserve officer candidate in Newport, Rhode Island. He was commissioned as a Naval Officer following college graduation.

His first duty assignment was aboard the Navy's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise (CVN 65), serving as the air transport officer during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

Bob was later selected for initial flight school at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida, followed by advanced training at Naval Air Station, New Iberia, Louisiana, where he earned his Navy "Wings of Gold".

His fleet duty assignments included VS-26 Antisubmarine Warfare squadron as a pilot aboard the USS Randolph (CV-15) flying S-2 Trackers, and later in VAW-121 Airborne Early Warning squadron as a pilot flying E-lB Tracers. During this latter tour, Bob was responsible for saving an aircraft and the lives of five crew members following a landing hook separation and subsequent emergency barricade landing aboard the USS Randolph.

He then served as the officer in charge of the Reserve Transport Squadron flying C-118 aircraft at the US Naval Air Station, New Orleans. He retired as a Lt. Commander from the Navy following a 20-year career.

After military retirement, Bob was a commercial airline pilot with Pan American Airlines and after a corporate merger, a commercial pilot with Delta Airlines. He retired from Delta Airlines in 1998.

Following his aviation career, Bob was involved in real estate investments and property management for a number of years. He was proud to be a Man of Manresa.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Barbara Hayman; one brother, Freddie Voss of Natchez; and one sister, Libby Voss of Natchez.

Survivors include one son, Page Voss of New Orleans; one daughter, Natalie Scoville of Orlando, Florida; three brothers, Carl Voss and wife, Glenda, of Natchez, Bill Voss and wife, Jean, of McComb, and Philip Voss and wife, Nancy, of Jacksonville, Florida; one sister, Delphine Voss Prestridge of Natchez; sister-in-law, Pat Voss of Natchez; the mother of his children, Peggy Page Voss of New Orleans; three grandchildren, Emily Scoville, Robbie Scoville and Dillon Voss; stepchildren Linda Joffrion, Jeanne Stearns and husband, Steve, and Lori Fowler (deceased) and husband, Jim; and 13 nieces and nephews and 20 first cousins.

The family would like to express its deep appreciation to Bob's long-term caregivers, Ann Dupont, Jessica Scholl, Katie James, Brenda Booth, Tosanna Lopez, Genette Parks, Garfielyne Landry and Susan Lang, and to Canon Hospice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at lairdfh.com https://www.lairdfh.com/obits  

Barbara A. Voss (Gram) passed away unexpectedly at her beloved home on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the age of 79. Gram was born November 13, 1939 in Birmingham, AL to parents James and Myrtle Abston. She was a resident of Covington, married to Robert C. Voss. She has one sister, Marianne Baxter (Ray) of Orlando, FL. She thoroughly enjoyed working in her yard and flower gardens, listening to live music, zydeco dancing, and spending time with family and friends, especially on Saint’s Football Sundays. Her treasured furry companions were Beau and Charlie Brown.

Gram was a loving and supportive mother to her daughters - Linda Joffrion, Jeanne Stearns (Steve), and Lori Fowler (deceased) (Jim) and stepchildren Page Voss and Natalie Scoville. She was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren and great grandchildren - Philip Kliebert (deceased), Rachel Bitter, Ethen Bitter, Kelsey Bitter, Ashleigh Meyers, Cameron Kliebert, Abigail Kliebert, and Briley Behrens, and Dillion Voss, Robbie and Emily Scoville. We will all miss her terribly!  Nephew John Fillingim wrote, I truly adored my Aunt Barbara. She was one of a kind. Kind, intelligent, fun loving and funny all wrapped in one perfect package. I will miss her dearly. I love you Aunt Barbara.  She is survived by many nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held at the Retreat Center at Little River Bluffs, 11030 Garden Ln., Folsom, LA 70437 on Friday, February 8, 2019 at 2:00 pm.  Family and friends are welcome to join us in a celebration of her joyful life.  In lieu of flowers, Barbara requested that a donation be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation for research to help find a cure for this disease. www.jdrf.org   Bagnell & Son Funeral Home in Charge of arrangements.

NWA/DL Capt. Philip H. Colmer

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NWA/DL Capt. Philip H. Colmer

May 3, 1955 ~ August 20, 2019

Notification with the unexpected passing of Northwest/Delta pilot Captain Philip Henry Colmer, age 64.  Death came due to a fatal airplane accident that occurred August 20^th  in Michigan.  Captain Colmer joined Northwest Airlines 04-13-1989.  He is survived by his wife Rebecca Sharp plus many other family members.

To view the obituary online and the various news articles, you may visit these links: 

https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/annarbor/obituary.aspx?n=philip-colmer&pid=193699520&fhid=25498 

https://www.mitchellfuneral.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1852:philip-colmer&catid=43:obituaries&Itemid=168 

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/officials-identify-2-men-killed-in-small-plane-crash-near-livingston-county-airport

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/08/21/two-livingston-county-plane-crash-victims-identified/2073897001/

Services will be held August 25th at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home in Chelsea with visitation prior to the service.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary…………  Colmer, Philip 5/3/1955 - 8/20/2019 Sylvan Twp, MI

A shining star, a smiling face, a friend to all, and a connoisseur of everything that defines happy life, Philip "Flip" Colmer, age 64, unexpectedly left this earth for his final flight west on 20 August, 2019. Flip, born 3 May, 1955, grew up to find joy in the pursuit of high adventure. He enjoyed travel, skydiving, and flying the most. An aviator by profession, he was commissioned an Officer in the U.S. Navy in 1978 and earned his Gold Navy Pilot Wings a few years later. He served in the Active ranks and Reserves as a carrier pilot, flying the A-7E Corsair and FA-18C Hornet jets before retiring from the Reserves in 1998 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. In 1989, after leaving active duty, he joined Northwest Airlines, which became part of Delta in 2008. Over his 30 year airline career, he rose to the rank of Captain on the Boeing 767. On 26 August, 1994, he married Rebecca Sharp, his best friend, fellow skydiver, and beloved travel companion for the remainder of his life. When not exploring the larger world with his wife, he enjoyed brewing his own beer and even dabbled with competitive aerobatic flying. Outside of flying, he was involved in many charitable projects, his favorite as a key team member of Project Recover expeditions to the Pacific to find and repatriate the remains of missing American servicemen from World War II. Philip "Flip" Colmer is preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Marjorie (Fleiss) Colmer. He is survived by his wife, Rebecca Sharp, his two sisters, Barbara Colmer (Kooper, NY) and Amy Ream (Portland, OR), his sister-in-law, Samara Anjelae (Berea, KY), and his two brothers-in-law, Michael and Lew Sharp (Lexington & Paris, KY). A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home, Chelsea, MI, with visitation from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Project Recover ( www.projectrecover.org ) or

Ann Arbor Fisher House Michigan ( www.fisherhousemichigan.org ).

HOWELL TOWNSHIP, Mich. - Officials have identified the two men who were killed Tuesday in a small plane crash near a Livingston County airport.  Philip Henry Colmer, 64, of Chelsea, has been identified as the pilot of the single-engine Rockwell Commander M200.  James Tafralian, 68, of Webberville, was the only passenger in the plane, officials said.

Colmer and Tafralian were inside the plane around 11:20 a.m. Tuesday when it crashed on the runway while taking off from the Livingston County Spencer J. Hardy Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.

The plane came to rest in a field next to the runway, near Tooley and West Highland roads, just east of I-96 in Howell Township. It will remain in the field until National Transportation Safety Board officials arrive Wednesday to take over the investigation, according to the FAA.

Officials believe Colmer had finished the yearly inspection of the plane and was taking it for a test flight with Tafralian.

"You know, if he didn't have enough airspeed and he tried to climb out too fast and stalled -- planes can roll over and nose in, and when that starts happening, there's nothing you can do about it," said Steve Ripper, a pilot who lives near the crash scene. "You don't have any altitude."

Ripper believes the crash was caused by a mechanical failure or an aerodynamic stall.

Colmer owned the aviation service at Livingston County Airport, according to authorities. Tafralian was a member of the company that owns the plane, officials said.

Tafralian was an experienced mechanic and pilot who loved to skydive, police said.

NEA/DL Capt. Robert T. Cottrill

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, NEA/DL Capt. Robert T. Cottrill

February 12, 1931 - August 07, 2019

Notification with the passing of retired Northeast/Delta pilot Captain Robert T. Cottrill, age 88.  Captain Cottrill joined Northeast Airlines 06-09-1958 and retired with Delta Air Lines, based Boston.  He is survived by his wife Glenda, their children plus grand- and great grandchildren.   

To view obituary information online and share memories, please visit

https://www.chadwickfuneralservice.com/obituary/robert-cottrill

A memorial service for Capt. Cottrill is planned for Oct. 5^th in New London NH….please see below.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary……………..

 - Robert T Cottrill, 88, a devoted husband and father passed away in peace and happiness on August 7, 2019.  He was born in Johnstown, PA on February 12, 1931 the son of Shirley D and Mary (Gess) Cottrill. Bob was educated at Aspinwall High School, the University of Miami, and the Carnegie Institute of Technology.  After college, he served in the US Navy as a Naval Aviator.  Post Navy, Bob was a pilot with Northeast Airlines and Delta Airlines retiring in 1988.

While in the Navy, Bob met the love of his life Glenda and they married a few months later. He was stationed in Brunswick, ME, Malta and Reykjavik, Iceland and served flying submarine patrol missions over the Mediterranean and North Atlantic during the Cold War. Upon discharge from the Navy, he started his career with the airlines and moved the family to New London in 1963 where he became a member of the Fire Department, The First Baptist Church, and the Outing Club, and served as President of the King Ridge Ski Club.

On his days off, Bob was a jack-of-all-trades and took great pleasure in personally completing major renovations on his home. During the occasional evening out, he was an enthusiastic dancer and with Glenda, cleared dance floors with their favorite polkas, smiling until it hurt and having way too much fun.

Bob enjoyed lots of adventure and showing his family the country and beyond.  He and Glenda bicycled all over town and along the Erie Canal (Buffalo to Albany), the Cape Cod Rail Trail and the Cumberland Trail to Washington, DC.  He loved to ski both alpine and Nordic, and made many trips to ski areas near and far including to Austria, the Haute Route from Chamonix to Zermatt, and Yellowstone.  Always active, Bob liked to be outside, traveling and exploring, liked hiking in the Grand Canyon and backpacking for a month in New Zealand.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Glenda (Stillings) Cottrill of New London, NH; four children and their spouses, Thomas (Martha) Cottrill of New London, NH, Betsy (Justin) Jensen of Salt Lake City, UT, William (Vickie) Cottrill of Gardnerville, NV and Nancy (Ted) Miller of Idaho Falls, ID; eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

A Celebration of Life service and reception will be held on October 5, 2019 at 10am at The First Baptist Church, 461 Main Street, New London, NH. Burial will be in West Part Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake Sunapee Protective Association or the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust.

SERVICES : Memorial Service

Saturday, October 05, 2019

10:00 AM

The First Baptist Church

461 Main Street

New London, NH 03257

DL Capt. Patrick McGirl

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Patrick McGirl

NOVEMBER 3, 1936 – AUGUST 2, 2019

Word has reached our group, this news with the passing of retired Delta pilot Captain Pat McGirl, age 82.  Captain McGirl joined Delta Air Lines 12-18-1961 and retired with Delta in 1996, based 030/LAX at the time of his retirement.  He is survived by his wife Patricia ‘Trish’ plus many other family members and dear friends.

Condolences may be shared online at

https://dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/las-vegas-nv/patrick-mcgirl-8803868 

For those wishing to send a personal note to the McGirl family, condolences may be sent to their home at

3016 Hawksdale Drive, Las Vegas NV 89134-8966.

Trish can also be reached by email at   gmagolpher@gmail.com 

Service arrangements are not known…..we will be sure to pass along any updates received.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

NEA/DL Capt. John Gillespie Caldwell

~ IN MEMORY ~

Delta Golden Wings member retired NEA/DL Capt. John Gillespie Caldwell

February 15, 1936 - August 12, 2019

         ~ Carol for the PCN 

News received from…………………

   From: JON J MAYNARD <jjmaynard@usa.net>   Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 4:44 PM
   Subject: Passing of Retired Captain John G Caldwell NEA/DL Yellowbird

John G. Caldwell

( February 15, 1936 - August 12, 2019 )

John Gillespie Caldwell, 83, of Windham, New Hampshire, passed away suddenly of heart disease on August 11th aboard his boat, Nine Knots, at New Castle, New Hampshire.

Born in Patterson Creek, West Virginia, on February 15, 1936, he was the son of George Gillespie Caldwell and Helen Kesecker Caldwell. His brother George Matthew Caldwell predeceased him in 2000.

John was a pilot with Delta Airlines for 38 years, retiring in 1996 as Delta's Number 4 International Pilot flying the Boeing 777. He had flown all over the world for many years during his time with Delta and had previously worked for Allegheny and Northeast Airlines. He began his commercial flying career at age 19, at the time one of the youngest co-pilots to fly commercial airplanes.

John leaves his loving wife, Betty Wong Caldwell; her daughters Lily Hamel and husband Erik of Danvers, MA, Laurie LaChapelle and husband Matthew of Andover, MA, and Leslie Ross of North Berwick, ME; and her son Nathan Leung and wife Michelle of North Reading, MA as well as 3 granddaughters and 6 grandsons.

Also surviving him is his first wife, Janet Marshall of Peabody, MA; his daughters Bonnie Caldwell and wife Nancy Natale of Easthampton, MA, and Judy Caldwell of Peabody, MA; and his son David Caldwell and wife Heather Knowles of Salem, MA. 

A private ceremony to celebrate John’s life will be held with family and friends at a future date. It was his wish that his remains would be spread near the Isles of Shoals – one of his favorite places on earth.

Captain Caldwell joined Northeast on June 9, 1958 and retired from Delta on March 01, 1996

His wife Betty's address for condolences is:

Betty Caldwell 
145 Castle Hill Road 
Windham, NH 03087 -1762

Jon J Maynard  , President Yellowbird Chapter of Delta Pioneers 

First Vice President of Delta National Pioneers 

(H) 121 Tremont St # 212, Brighton, MA 02135      

(H) 617.787.2620 

(E) jjmaynard@usa.net

DL Capt. Raymond Earl Miller

https://obits.dallasnews.com/obituaries/dallasmorningnews/obituary.aspx?n=raymond-earl-miller&pid=193612347&fhid=10739#_ga=2.266829516.371848154.1565307142-840816501.1564325104

MILLER, Raymond Earl 

Raymond E. Miller, of Frisco, TX, passed away peacefully on August 6, 2019 at the age of 83, surrounded by family and friends. Visitation will be at Calvary Hill Funeral Home on August 23 from 5-8 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at their Main Mausoleum on Saturday, August 24 at Noon with Msgr. Leon Duesman officiating. A reception will follow mass. Ray will be interred at DFW National Cemetery on August 26 at 10:15 AM. Ray was born in Buffalo, NY on March 13, 1936. He graduated from Timon High School, and then attended Canisius College before enlisting in the Navy, later becoming a Marine pilot, achieving the rank of Captain. He married Phyllis Penelope Ponikowski, also from Buffalo, NY on June 1, 1957 until his death. Ray was a pilot for Delta Airlines, retiring as a Captain after 33 years. He continued to enjoy piloting his own private aircraft until he finally decided it was time to ground himself, 55 years after his first flight. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Walter & Marie Miller, brother, Robert W. Miller and sister, Marie Miller Seeley. Ray is survived by his brother, John E. Miller, son, Mark D. Miller, married to Nancy Hodges Miller, daughter, Julie Ann Miller, grandchildren Sarah Miller Edgecomb, Caroline Miller Toups and Hunter Lee Treadwell, and great-grandchildren Jack, Claire and Reed Edgecomb. Please visit www.calvaryhilldallas.com for further details.

Published in Dallas Morning News on Aug. 11, 2019-----------------------------------------------------------------------

~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, DL Capt. Raymond Earl Miller

MARCH 13, 1936 – AUGUST 6, 2019

Word has reached our group that Delta Golden Wings member retired Delta pilot Captain Ray Miller, age 83, has passed.  Ray had recently been hospitalized…..other medical details are not known.  Captain Miller joined Delta Air Lines 08-05-1963 and retired with Delta in 1996, based 031/ATL at the time of his retirement. 

Service information for Capt. Miller can be found online at

 https://dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/dallas-tx/raymond-miller-8808342

Arrangements have been entrusted to Calvary Hill Funeral Home of Dallas, TX… 214-357-5754.

For those wishing to send a personal note to the family, whitepages lists the Miller residence address as

45 Secluded Pond Drive, Frisco TX 75034-1933.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

OBITUARY……………….Raymond Earl Miller

MARCH 13, 1936 – AUGUST 6, 2019

Raymond Earl Miller was born on March 13, 1936 and passed away on August 6, 2019.

AUGUST 23 : Visitation from 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Rosary at 7:00 pm

CALVARY HILL FUNERAL HOME

3235 Lombardy Ln

Dallas, Texas 75220

AUGUST 24 : Funeral Mass at 12:00 pm

CALVARY HILL MAIN MAUSOLEUM

3235 Lombardy Ln

Dallas, Texas 75220

WA/DL Capt. Barry James Crider

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF Major, WA/DL Capt. Barry James Crider

March 24, 1942 ~ July 26, 2019

Notification with the passing of retired USAF Major and Western/Delta pilot Barry James Crider, age 77.  Barry joined Western Airlines 03-05-1973 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 2002 as F/O based 031/ATL.

To view the obituary information online please visit

 https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/seattletimes/obituary.aspx?n=barry-james-crider&pid=193554858&fhid=6069

Please see service arrangements below….. interment with Military Honors at Tahoma National Cemetery August 12^th with reception following at Fairwood G&CC .

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Obituary……………….Barry James Crider

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce USAF Major (Ret) and Delta Airlines Pilot (Ret) Barry James Crider set his spirit and soul free on a beautiful CAVU day, July 26, 2019. He bravely fought the onslaught of Congestive Heart Disease, but relinquished that battle while surrounded by his loving family.

He was born March 24, 1942 to James and Elizabeth (Zajac) Crider in Portland, Oregon. He was a proud graduate of Grant High School ('60), attended Willamette University, and graduated from Oregon State University ('64). He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. following ROTC and earned several service honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross (with Valor). He had a 30 year commercial pilot career beginning as a 2nd officer with Western Airlines ('73) and retiring on the 777 at Delta Airlines ('02).

He married Elizabeth (Lynn) on April 9, 1965, who sadly predeceased him in ('95). He was a much loved father to son, Brian James, born January 31, 1968. In 1995 he chose Barbara (Harrison) as his life partner culminating in marriage on August 9, 2010. He was an avid golfer at Fairwood G&CC and had an incredible 4 Holes-In-One.

He will be interred with Military Honors at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:30 PM, August 12, 2019.

A reception will follow beginning at 4:00 PM at Fairwood G&CC

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association, or to a charity of choice, in memory of Barry.

Services are under the direction of Flintofts of Issaquah Funeral Home. Please feel free to sign and comment the online guest book at www.FLINTOFTS.com Our memories of him will be cherished forever.

Published in The Seattle Times on Aug. 4, 2019

NAL/PAA/DAL Captain John C. Slaton

Obituary..................

SLATON, JOHN C. Celebration of Life Service for John C Slaton. Family Visitation at 3 pm, Service at 4 pm Saturday, August 10th Crossroads Church 2564 Sharpsburg McCullum Rd Newnan, GA 30265 John Slaton was a loving and devoted husband and father. An officer/pilot in the Navy, and a successful career with National, Pan Am, and Delta Airlines. He was survived by his wife of 57 years, Sara Sue, one brother Jack, Three grown children John, David, and Suzy, Two daughter-in-laws Sonya and Amy, Five grandchildren, Zac, Austin, Macy, Emily, and Anna.

Published in the Miami Herald on Aug. 8, 2019

…..this news is courtesy of the National Airlines alumni…..

news with the passing of retired Delta pilot Capt. John Charles Slaton, age 80.

Please see service arrangements below.

Thank you,

  ~ Carol for the PCN 

- IN MEMORY-

NAL/PAA/DAL Captain John C. Slaton

DOB Dec 22, 1938      DOH Jan 17, 1966      DOD Aug 2, 2019

US Navy Vietnam Veteran

Celebration of Life Service for John C Slaton

Saturday, Aug.10th

Family Visitation at 3pm, followed by the service at 4pm at Crossroads Church

2564 Sharpsburg McCullum Rd

Newnan, GA 30265

John Slaton was a loving and devoted husband and father.

An officer/pilot in the Navy, and a successful career with

National, Pan Am, and Delta Airlines.

He was survived by his wife of 57 years, Sara Sue. One

brother Jack, three grown children John, David and Suzy,

two daughters-in-law Sonya and Amy, and five grandchildren:

Zac, Austin, Macy, Emily and Anna.

Thanks again to Captain Dick Hammarlund for passing John's arrangements on to us.