~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, NWA Capt. Milburn 'Mel' Jasper Holmes
October 12, 1939 - February 9, 2021
Word has reached us with the passing of RNPA member retired
Northwest pilot Captain Mel Holmes, age 81.
Captain Holmes joined Northwest Airlines 12-04-1967. He is survived by his wife Jeannie, his sons
and his grandchildren.
Obituary information is available for viewing online at https://www.lagrandeobserver.com/obituaries/featured_obituaries/milburn-mel-holmes-obit-photo/image_9c31f332-789c-11eb-b011-cfb110254c9b.html
You can read more of Captain Holmes’ military and aviation
background at
https://www.eou.edu/news-press/original-top-gun/
And another
article dated 2005….
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-from-top-gun-to-palomar-flight-school-2005feb03-story.html
and yet another
article with picture
https://articles.historynet.com/the-man-behind-the-topgun-fighter-pilot-school.htm
For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family’s
address is listed in whitepages as
2856 Sunset Hills , Escondido, CA 92025-7801.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary :
Captain Milburn J. “Mel” Holmes passed away peacefully at
home in Escondido, California on February 9th, 2021.
Mel was born in La Grande, Oregon to Betty Mae and Milburn
Jay Holmes on October 12, 1939. He attended La Grande High School, lettering in
both basketball and baseball. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree
from Eastern Oregon University in 1961. In 2006, Mel was the first recipient of
the Distinguished Alumni Award from EOU.
Mel entered the Navy Flight Training Program in Pensacola,
Florida, in 1961. After completing the Jet Fighter Course, he was designated a
Naval Aviator in 1963.
During his career, Mel flew various fighters including the
F-4 "Phantom" and participated in three cruises in Southeast Asia
during the Vietnam War. He received 18 medals and commendations throughout his
service.
Mel was one of the original founders of the legendary Navy
Fighter Weapons School, better known as "TOPGUN", based at Naval Air
Station Miramar. He completed his naval career as the Commanding Officer of
VF-301, a reserve F-4 Fighter Squadron. After his retirement as a 747 captain
from Northwest/Delta Airlines, he established a premier flight school in
Carlsbad, California.
Mel is survived by his wife of 42 years, Jeannie; his four
sons: John, Brad and his wife, Sarah, Doug and his wife, Melissa, and Craig. In
addition, he is survived by four grandchildren: Tyler, Alec, Jacqueline and
Maddie Holmes.
A heartfelt thanks to the medical professionals, Lori
Saunders and Shari Catozzi, whose compassion and care for Mel during this past
year was exemplary.
A memorial service will be planned at a later date due to
COVID restrictions. Memorials can be made in Mel's honor to Warrior Foundation
Freedom Station, 1223 1/2 28th St. Suite A, San Diego, CA 92102, or https://warriorfoundation.org
Weird that such a distinguished man doesn’t have any comments. This guy did some incredible things in his career
ReplyDeleteI started my flying career under Mel's watch at Gray Eagle. He was a strong but kind pleasant humble jovial man. He never spoke much about himself or his career to me, but we wonderful conversation about life , flying, my training, etc... one day I was perplexed that he never flew his own planes, when I couldn't get enough of flights in for my enjoyment. So I finally aske him, " Hey Mel, Why don't you ever fly these planes? His cheerful response was simple, "I don't know I guess they're just to slow!" I knew only that he was a retired 747 pilot from NWA, so I thought that was a reasonable response. But it wasn't till I heard of his passing at Flight Safety in training that I found out that he was a founding pilot of TOPGUN !!! So his response finally made sence too me. I felt sad to hear of his passing, but I felt worse that I lost the opportunity to learn from such great Naval Aviator! I wish I had known, I would have spent some time over coffee and spent all the time I could to listen to his stories. I really feel a loss with his death, but it was an honor in my life to have known him. Thanks for the opportunity you gave me in my aviation pursuits Mel, I'll miss you. (Dr. Andrei Razsadin)
ReplyDelete