Aviators' Heaven

I hope there's a place way up in the sky, where old flyers can go on the day they die.

A place where a guy can buy a cold beer, for a friend and a comrade,whose memory is dear.

A place where no doctor or lawyer can tread, nor an FAA type would e'erbe caught dead.

Just a quaint little place, kind of dark, full of smoke, where they like to sing loud, and love a good joke.

The kind of a place where a lady could go, and feel safe and protected by the men she would know.

There must be a place where old flyers go, when their flying is finished, and their airspeed gets low.

Where the whiskey is old, and the women are young, and songs about flying and dying are sung.

Where you'd see all the fellows who'd flown west before, and they'd call out your name, as you came through the door.

Who would buy you a drink, if your thirst should be bad, and relate to others, "He was quite a good lad".

And then through the mist, you'd spot an old guy, you had not seen in years, though he taught you to fly.

He'd nod his old head, and grin ear to ear, And say, "Welcome, my son, I'm pleased that you're here.

For this is the place where the true flyers come, when their journey is over, and their war has been won.

They've come here at last to be safe and alone, from the government clerk, and the management clone,

Politicians and lawyers, the Feds and the noise, where all hours are happy, and they're all good ol' boys.

You can relax with a cold one, maybe deal from a deck, this is heaven my son..... You've passed your last check!"

Sorry to inform you all of the passing of everyone's friend and fellow employee, F/E Ray Johnson. Ray passed away on May 13. Mr. James "Ray" Johnson, 87, passed away on Sunday, May 13, 2007. Ray was born in Nebo, Kentucky, and moved to Ocala in 1985 from Miami Springs, Florida. He attended the University of Kentucky and graduated from aviation school. Ray fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming an aviator, working as a flight engineer for National Airlines and Pan American Airways for over 30 years. Ray will be loved and remembered by his family and friends as a loving, caring, good-natured, kind, helpful, and accepting husband and father who was completely devoted to his family and always put them first. He was always there to give them support and strength, never asking anything in return. A devout Christian, Ray was a strong and honest gentleman, with a fine sense of humor. While Ray has passed on, his spirit will always be with us, guiding us and giving inspiration to live our lives in his example. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Agnes Jill Johnson; children, Karen L. Johnson and James R. Johnson, Jr., and his wife, Claudia; and grand-daughters, Kristen Tillett and Erin Johnson. A celebration of Ray's life on this planet will be held in a memorial service on Saturday, June 9, 2007, at 3:00 p.m., at First Baptist Church of Ocala, 2801 SE Maricamp Road, Ocala; a reception will follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the cataract program of the Seva Foundation, 1786 Fifth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710.

Please inform the Buccaneers that Capt. Stanley Rocker passed away on Sunday May 13th after a 3 year battle with colon cancer.

We enjoyed attending the luncheons and we are sorry that we were unable to attend recently due to illness.

The service will be Wednesday May 16th at Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel 640 Lee Rd. Orlando, Fla 32810. Sincerely,
Marilyn Rocker

LaHUIS, CHESTER ALBERT (AL), born November 5th, 1932 at Jackson Memorial hospital to Chester James & Virginia LaHuis. Al flew his final flight west and passed on to his lord on February 20th, 2007. His father owned and operated the Texaco service station at 800 W. Flagler St. during the 30's and early 40's; his mother was active in many charities and was past president of the Northeast Miami Women's Club during WW II. Three sons, William Shannon, Richard Wayne, and Frank James predeceased him. Al grew up in Bayshore and attended the Cushman school, just across Biscayne Boulevard from his home, through the 7th grade, then attended the Montverde school near Orlando, Miami Edison SR. High & then graduated from Montverde. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1950, celebrated his 18th birthday in boot camp at Parris Island, and later reached the rank of Sergeant. Upon discharge he was hired by the Miami Police Dept. in 1953 and later went to the Miami Beach Police Dept. leaving same with the rank of Detective in 1965 after being hired as Co-Pilot for National Airlines (the best damn airlines ever). Al made Captain on his birthday in 1969 and continued in that capacity when Pan American Airways purchased National in 1980 until he was forced to go on disability after breaking his back in a freak home accident in 1968 in the Redland and enjoyed fishing the beautiful waters of Miami and the Keys. Al was not as successful with married life having gone through four ex-wives, Pat, Mary, Linda and Judie; God Bless them. He owned and was President of the Purple Onion Club, a Distinctly private club for over 16 years, on South Dixie Hwy. and 144 ST. since 1986. He leaves 1 son, John Albert and a daughter Melissa LaHuis, and seven grandchildren, all of the greater Miami area. He also belonged to the Perrine American Legion and Moose, the Miami Beach Police Retirees, the International Police Association, the NAL Buccaneers, the NAL Sundowners, the Airline Pilots Association, the Edison "Over The Hill Gang" and was a Turtle. During his life Al felt blessed for so many things. Growing up and living in Miami, serving in the USMC, helping many people while with the police department and being allowed to fly for National Airlines. But probably most for meeting and knowing so many fine people. It was a good ride and he was, in fact, truly blessed. Al was thrown a parachute by many during his life and always hoped he had done the same for others. Goodbye to all and may God bless you always. One flower a single red rose, a plain casket, a short service at the burial site if so deemed by Melissa, then drinks on the house at the Legion. God bless the Marine Corps,the Confederacy and the U.S. of A. Stanfill Funeral Home 10545 S Dixie (305)667-2518 Family Owned/Operated To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, 2/23 at 11:00am @ T. M. Ralph Plantation Funeral Home, 954-587-6888. 

In lieu of flowers Don would prefer donations to the American Cancer Society for Prostate Cancer research. 

Please visit http://www.cancer.org/docroot/DON/DON_0.asp  We thank you all for your thoughts & prayers.

Don's Family

Capt. Todd Rudd passed away in his sleep Sunday (2/11/07). 

Todd will be cremated and his ashes sent to Rochester, NY with his wife (Claire). 

There will be no service's.

Thank you,
Siri (Rudd) Rossman
Daughter

Services for CLERAL MIKE JULIAN will beheld:
Thursday February 15, 2006 at 5 PM
Ascension Lutheran Church
5730 SE 28 Street
Ocala, Fl

28 Street at Base line Road

Mize, Robert James, age 81, of Pensacola Beach, Florida, died at his residence on Saturday, January 27, 2007. Mr. Mize was born on November 6, 1925, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to James W. and Helen Taylor Mize and had been a long time resident of the Gulf Breeze area. He joined the U.S. Navy during WWII at the age of 17 and served on the USS Exxex (CV 9) during the Korean War. He was later employed by National Air Lines, first as a mechanic, then as a flight engineer. He retired from Pan Am after 26 years of service in 1987. He was an active member of St. Ann's Parish in Gulf Breeze, Florida, where he served as a Sacristan, devoted choir member, lector and Eucharistic Minister, among many other ministries. He was preceded in death by his son, John Joseph Mize, and grandson, Daniel James Mize. Survivors include his wife of 58 years of marriage, Rosa Anna (Pasqualino) Mize, of Pensacola Beach, Florida; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert Nicholas and Karen Mize, of Coral Springs, James William and Kathryn Mize, of Decatur, Alabama, Timothy John Mize, of Plantation, Florida; daughter and son-in-law, Rosanne Mary and Doug Clauson, of Plantation, Florida; grandchildren: R. Wesley Mize, Amanda Mize, Nicholas Mize, of Coral Springs, Florida, Benjamin Mize and Julianna Mize, of Decatur, Alabama, and Eric Clauson, of Plantation, Florida. A time of visitation will be conducted from the Rose Lawn Funeral Home in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on Sunday evening, January 28, 2007, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a Rosary to be recited at 6:30 P.M. A Mass of the Resurrection will be conducted from St. Ann's Catholic Church in Gulf Breeze, Florida, on Monday, January 29, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. with the Reverend Monsignor Luke Hunt as the Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Rose Lawn Cemetery in Gulf Breeze, Florida. For those who so desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. Ann's Catholic Church, 100 Daniel Drive, P.O. Box 1057, Gulf Breeze, Florida 32562, or to Covenant Hospice, 5401 North 12th Avenue, Pensacola, Florida 32504. Arrangements and services are under the direction of the Rose Lawn Funeral Home, 2942 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Florida.  Published in the Sun-Sentinel from 1/28/2007 - 1/29/2007.  Notice • Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop

DENTON, BARRY P., 66, of North Miami, passed away 12/21/06. A resident here 30 years, coming from Alabama. Barry was an Air Force Veteran serving in Vietnam, a commercial pilot with National Airlines & Pan American Airways. Survived by his loving wife, BettyAnne; son James Denton (Kristin); daughter Carrie Cox (Scott); grandson Austin Davis Denton; and sister Sandra Watley. A private Celebration of life Service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, Duke University, D.U.M.C. Box 3624, Durham, North Carolina 27710. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.

D'AMOUR, WALTER FRANCIS, 83, of Miami Lakes, passed away September 18th after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on June 6, 1923, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he is survived by his wife of 50 years Maria Teresa Phillips, his sons, Kevin and Kenneth, his daughter Jeannette and grandchildren Michael, Elise, Alessandra and Nicholas. Walter was a World War II veteran, serving on the U.S.S. Yorktown and the U.S.S. Lexington. He retired after many years as a Flight Engineer with National Airlines and Pan American World Airways. Funeral Services will be held at 12;00 Noon, Wednesday, September 20, 2006, at Vista Memorial Gardens, 14200 NW 57th Avenue, Miami Lakes, Fl. 305-821-1421. To visit this Guest Book Online, go to www.herald.com/obituaries. Published in The Miami Herald on 9/20/2006.  Guest Book • Flowers • Gift Shop

With deep regret I am informing all of the passing of Capt. Maynard Watkins on August 31, 2006.

Services will be on September 2, 2006 at
Pinewood Presbyterian Church
198 Knight Box Rd.
Middleburg, Fl