~ IN MEMORY ~
USAF veteran, WA/DL Capt. John Forrest
Gulledge II
August 21, 1937 - November 25, 2015
Date of Hire: 01-27-1969
Obituary :
John F. Gulledge II, 78, from Coto de Caza,
CA passed away on November 25th, 2015, from complications of Parkinson’s
disease and Lewy body dementia. He is survived by his loving wife, Pili; his
mother-in-law, Consuelo (aka, Lala); his daughter, Jennifer; his six sons,
Karl, John III (and wife, Trish), Alex (and wife, Gretchen), Aaryn (and wife,
Vannesa), Reuben (and girlfriend, Courtney), and Andrew (and wife, Leslie); and
six grandchildren. John was also very close to his nephew, Elias (and wife,
Lori), and their three children. He will be missed greatly by all for his
kindness, easy sense of humor, loyalty, and honorability.
John was born on August 21st, 1937, to
Joseph and Faye Gulledge in Siloam Springs, AR, and grew up in Salisaw, OK. His
academic and athletic accomplishments in high school paved the way for him to
be invited into the very first class of the Air Force Academy. While at the
Academy, John made many lifetime friends, started on the Cotton Bowl winning
team, and began his noble military service. After graduating in 1959, John flew
in Korea and Vietnam, achieving the rank of Captain before leaving honorably
for a career in commercial aviation. He served Western and Delta Airlines as
navigator, copilot, captain, and instructor for over 28 years before retiring
in 1997.
John Gulledge was much more than a military
and commercial pilot in his long, fruitful, and fulfilling life. He was a
loving and caring husband and best friend to Pili for 27 wonderful years, a
supportive father and role model for his six boys, and a kind and generous
husband to their mother, Mali. He served as coach, referee, and #1 fan for all
of his children, both on and off the athletic fields, instilling in them the
importance of sportsmanship and fairness. He spent much of his free time
traveling with and to friends and family across the country because they meant
so much to him. One of John’s favorite activities was watching football with
his family, especially Steelers’ games, while sipping a beer or Scotch. His
home was often a gathering place for friends, family, great food, and even
better times.
Memorial services for John Gulledge were
held on Tuesday, December 1, 2015 at the Coto de Caza Country Club. John’s
ashes will be interred at the Air Force Academy in January, 2016. Contact Pili
(pili@piligulledge.com) or Alex (alexander.gulledge@skywest.com) for details.
John’s smile, kindness, and genuine friendship will last in the hearts of
everyone who knew him.
“Off we go into the wild blue yonder,
climbing high into the sun..”
