Obituaries

Obituaries (12)

Tuesday, 20 September 2016 15:22

John W. "ACE" Drummond Passes

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Senator John W. Drummond, 96, "The Senator from Ninety Six", widower of Holly Self Drummond, died on Saturday, September 3, 2016, at his home.  Born in Ninety Six, he was a son of the late James William and Fannie Mae Smith Drummond. A graduate of Ninety Six High School, he spent his early years working in the Greenwood Mills plants.

Tuesday, 20 September 2016 15:11

510FS Honorary Commander Passes - Menegazzo

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Claudio “Jammer” Menegazzo was the 510th FS Honorary Commander from 2010-2013.

Tuesday, 17 September 2013 05:33

John Prince Harris Passes

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John Prince Harris passed away July 29, 2013, in an aviation accident near the Georgetown County Airport in South Carolina.He was born August 24, 1933, in Charleston, and attended Charleston High School and the West Virginia Institute of Technology. JP graduated in the Aviation Cadet Pilot Class of 55K. He was later stationed at Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, Va., where he met Genelda Robertson of Newport News. They married on November 30, 1957, in Zurich, Switzerland, while he was on temporary duty at Landstuhl Air Force Base in Germany with the 510th Fighter Bomber Squadron. After returning from Europe he was an instructor for the Fighter Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. During his career as a USAF pilot JP flew a variety of jets, including the P-80 Shooting Star, the Republic F-84 Thunderjet, the F-86 Sabre, the F-100 Super Sabre and the F-104 Starfighter.

John returned to Charleston to raise a family and work for West Virginia Steel Corporation, which was founded by his father, John Roy Harris, in 1934. He joined the West Virginia Air National Guard and flew, among others, C-130 cargo planes in transport missions all over the world, including the Bright Star operation in Egypt in 1982. He retired from the Air Guard in 1987 as a full colonel and was president of West Virginia Steel Corporation until it was sold in 1998. He also served as a director of the National Bank of Commerce for many years. He was a member of the Charleston Rotary Club, Classic Jet Aircraft Association and War Birds of America.

During those years he built a Smith mini-plane, two PJ-260 bi-planes and restored two Pontiac GTOs in his home garage. JP helped build the innovative Bellanca SkyRocket II and holds five world speed records as its test pilot in 1975. The Skyrocket was later acquired by NASA. Later, he rebuilt a Piper Twin Commanche, which he eventually donated to Wings for the Word, a North Carolina-based mission which delivered water purification relief to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. It is still in service flying aid missions. He also assembled and flew a Fouga Magister French trainer and attack fighter, which is now owned by a private collector and on display in Hamilton, Ontario. At the time of his death he was flying a 1963 vintage Folland Gnat T-1 British jet trainer like the ones used by the RAF Red Arrows.

John was predeceased by his parents, John Roy Harris in 1996 and Nelle Prince Harris in 2006. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Genelda; daughters, Susan Prince Harris Wallace (Thomas) of St. Petersburg, Fla., and Cynthia Ann Harris Grissom (James) of Chevy Chase, Md.; grandchildren, John Prince Wallace, Caroline Harris Wallace, James Mahaley Grissom, John Hewitt Grissom; and many friends.

A memorial service will be held Friday, August 16, at 2 p.m. in the Old Chapel at All Saints Church, 3560 Kings River Road, Pawleys Island, SC 29585. In Charleston, W.Va., there will be a funeral service at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 36 Norwood Road, Charleston, on Saturday, September 14, at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to join the family at a visitation on Friday evening, September 13, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Matthews Hall, church parish.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org or P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or to a charitable organization of your choice. The online guestbook may be accessed at www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

Thursday, 20 June 2013 02:35

Greg Norwood Dies

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Greg Norwood passed away on June 20, 2013 in Elk Grove CA shortly after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Greg was a Buzzard weapons specialist in Bien Hoa in 1968.  His job was mission critical to the 510th because it’s aircraft were designed, built, flown, and maintained for only one reason – to deliver weapons.  Deepest condolences to his wife Chris.  We respect him, and will miss him.

Tuesday, 07 May 2013 09:19

Charles D Mohrle Dies Peacefully At Home

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Born in 1921 in Oklahoma City to Charles A. Mohrle and Anne Downey Mohrle of Kansas City. Charlie spent most of his youth in Galveston, Texas, where he graduated from Kirwin High School. He was a member of Boy Scout Troop 1 in Galveston and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He attended the first National Boy Scout Jamboree in Washington, DC in 1937.

Monday, 22 April 2013 00:00

Stephen Tanner Dies After Battle With Cancer

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Stephen Tanner, of Texas, died during the evenng of Monday, April 22, 2013, after a long battle with cancer.  He was transferred to Select Specialy Hospital, in Houston TX when his health declined recently.

A memorial service will be at 1030 this Friday, May at 3rd at Fort Sam Houston, TX.

Buzzards around the globe send condolences to Karen Tanner for her loss. 

Stephen was a true Buzzard at heart and helped revitalize the 510th Fighter Squadron Association and website.

Cremation service will be conducted at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio.  More information will be posted as it becomes available.

Tribute to Stephen Tanner by Michael Barrowman

Tanner FlowersA simple phone call a little more than ten years ago transformed fading memories into a shining legacy that all past and future members of the 510th can embrace and cherish. Steve was the force that united generations of former 510th members. His tireless efforts forging our reunions united generations who served their country proudly and unconditionally. When I look at the photos on our website and recall all the stories told by those before me I will always think of Steve.

I will attend your memorial service where I will proudly wear the color purple, render a salute to a fallen warrior, raise the claw, and send you off with a hearty “Buzzards Rule, Once a Buzzard Always a Buzzard”

May you rest in peace Steve; it has been an honor to have known you. You will not be forgotten

A famous General once said “Old soldiers never die; they just fade away”. I would like to think that Old Buzzards never die but just depart the bounds of this world and ascend to the heavens. Thanks to Steve they will neither fade away nor be forgotten.

Wednesday, 03 October 2012 12:13

1LT Ralph A. Santasiero

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1LT Ralph A. Santasiero, 90, of Raritan passed away on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012.

Monday, 01 October 2012 13:27

Lt. Colonel Howard "Hi" I. Price

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Lt. Colonel Howard "Hi" I. Price, born September 15, 1918, passed away at home on June 11, 2011 in Bradenton, Florida.