DL Capt. Cliff James Judkins III

 

~ IN MEMORY ~

Miliary veteran, DL Capt. Cliff James Judkins III

JUNE 17, 1937 – MAY 19, 2024

From family we have learned of the passing of retired Delta Air Lines pilot Captain Cliff James Judkins III, age 86, father of Atlanta based Delta Air Lines pilot Captain Jim Judkins.  Cliff joined Delta 10-03-1966 and was based Atlanta.  Widowed in October 2017 with the passing of his wife Hattie, Cliff is survived by his children and his grandchildren.

To view obituary information, view family photos and to share memories online, please go to the funeral home website at  https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/woodstock-ga/cliff-judkins-11824821 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Woodstock Funeral Home, Woodstock GA.  

Condolences may be sent to the family at jimjudkinsatl@gmail.com

 

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN

Cliff James Judkins III, son of Cliff James Judkins, Jr. and Cynthia Ellison Judkins. Born June 17, 1937, died May 19, 2024.

Graduated from Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. First attended Marion Military Institute, then Auburn University. Joined the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Cadet (NavCad). Completed training in May, 1960. Commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and received his wings as a Naval Aviator. He joined Marine Squadron VMF-323 (Death Rattlers), and was based at El Toro MCAS in Orange County, California flying the Chance-Vought F8U Crusader. He completed a Far East tour aboard the U.S.S. Lexington where he logged many carrier landings and visited many foreign lands.

 

Upon return to the United States, he married his sweetheart, Harriet "Hattie" Heath. He left the Marines in 1966 after a 13 month tour in DaNang, Vietnam. Cliff was a pilot with Delta Air Lines for 30 years, logging over 22,000 hours of flight time, before retiring in 1996.

 

He was widowed after 55 years of marriage to his best girl. He and Hattie were blessed with two fine children - Virginia "Jenny" Angela Heath Judkins Luttrell, and James "Jim" Christopher Heath Judkins.

 

Cliff comes from twelve generations of Americans - the first arriving in the "New World" in 1622 in Jamestowne, Virginia. Cliff was a member of numerous organizations - The Jamestowne Society, The Old Guard of the Gate City Guard of Atlanta, and The Quiet Birdmen, just to name a few. He and Harriet were founding members of The Episcopal Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Marietta, Georgia.

 

He leaves four grandchildren - Claire Heath Luttrell, Anna-Laura Catherine Luttrell, Thomas Christopher Judkins, and William Joseph Judkins. A sister, Cynthia Judkins Godbold, a son-in-law, Dr. Joseph Luttrell, a daughter-in-law, Lisa Lambert Judkins, and many nieces and nephews.

 

Cliff requested that there be no memorial service or funeral. Instead, a private family gathering to tell stories (mostly true) and a toast to his life. Cliff also requested that all friends raise a toast to "The World's Luckiest Man."

 

He is reported to say that given the chance, he'd do it all over again, but would fly faster and higher next time.

 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Salvation Army or St. Jude's Children Hospital.

 

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/atlanta/name/harriet-judkins-obituary?id=20395807 

Harriet JUDKINS Obituary

Eugenia Harriet Judkins

SEPTEMBER 21, 1939 – OCTOBER 6, 2017

JUDKINS, Harriet Heath "Hattie"

Harriet was born in Atlanta, Georgia on September 21, 1939. She was the first daughter of Eugene Harry Heath and Ruby Gray Heath. Harriet attended Huntingdon College and graduated from Georgia State University. Shortly after her graduation, she married her sweetheart, Cliff Judkins, a Marine fighter pilot, soon to be with Delta Air Lines. Together they travelled to many places, their favorite being France. At the age of fifty, and an empty nester, she took up painting and enjoyed many happy hours at this hobby. She loved all of nature, and always fed the many "critters" that lived in the woods behind her home. She loved her home and her family, and never lost her love and abiding faith in God. Hattie was a twelfth-generation American, ninth-generation Georgian, and a sixth-generation Atlantan. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a true Southern lady. She and her family were among the founding members of the Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Marietta, Georgia…………………..