~ IN MEMORY ~

Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. James Edward Degnan

June 27, 1945 ~ March 20, 2022

From dear friends and family, we have learned of the tragic death of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Jim Degnan, age 76.  The fatal incident occurred on March 20^th in Hawaii….various articles are available online or please see below.  Captain Degnan joined Western Airlines 02-07-1977 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 2004 based 030/CVG.  James is survived by his wife, Margaret J. Degnan; sons, Brian Paul (Stacey) Degnan and Bradley James Degnan and 2 granddaughters.  

We understand that arrangements have been entrusted to the:

Kauai Memorial Gardens Funeral Home

Jim was born in Youngstown, Ohio, to Paul and Kathleen Degnan, on June 27, 1945.  His interest in flying began after watching airplane activity at the old Toledo metropolitan airport while still pre-school age. He attended grade school in Toledo Ohio and Monroe Michigan, and the high school St. Francis DeSales, near Toledo. From there he attended the University of Toledo for a BBA in transportation logistics. Meanwhile, he took flight lessons at the Toledo municipal airport and worked with all sorts of aircraft maintenance and care.  At that time, the draft board was active, so after graduating from college in 1968, he made the choice to join the Navy as a better alternative to ground fighting in the Vietnam war.  The Navy had a short officer candidate school, along with basic single-engine education, including carrier qualification on the Wasp. At Corpus Christi, the aviators learned formation and multi-engine flying. That was followed by a few months in CA before joining VP-6 at Barbers Point. The squadron was deployed to Naha, Okinawa, Cubi Point, and various destinations while flying anti-submarine missions over the ocean around Viet Nam. Even time spent at “home” on Oahu consisted of many sorties over the ocean. The P-3 they flew was a 4-engine turboprop, known in airline travel as the Lockheed Electra.  Jim was released from the Navy in 1973 and continued to fly with Nomads, in Detroit, a travel club using the Electra for jaunts to attractive club destinations, as well as working as a Naval reservist, and private work as available. 1973 was a time of general fuel shortage, and the airlines were not hiring.  In February 1977 he started with Western Airlines out of L.A., until Delta bought them. He lived in Cupertino, CA, and then in Indiana, while based in Cincinnati. He flew for Delta until 2004, retiring with Margaret to the condo on Kauai.  He started with the Civil Air Patrol in August 2005. There he found the comradeship of others committed to necessary tasks that allowed emergency notification for all Kauai residents, even those without access to usual phone and radio information. With the help of the Lihue civil air patrol, Jim was honored to be awarded recognition for “Fifty Years of Dedicated Service in Aviation Safety” from the Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration.

Margaret Degnan
P.O. Box 223323
Princeville, Hawaii
96722

Articles covering the accident:

Civil Air Patrol

Kathryn’s Report

~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. Paul Hardie Davies Sr.
September 9, 1942 – March 8, 2022

From friends and colleagues, we have learned of the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Paul Hardie Davies, age 79.  Captain Davies joined Western Airlines 05-26-1969 and retired with Delta Air Lines in 2002.  He is survived by his wife Dale and by his sons and grandsons. Friends write:  “… Paul flew the F-4 in Viet Nam and the A-4 in VMA134 at El Toro.  He also flew for Western Airlines and Delta Air Lines.  He and Dale retired to Beaufort, S.C. several years ago.  He had been fighting cancer of the liver for the past several years.  It had spread to his spinal column during the past six months.  Surgeries provided no help…… He will be interred at the National Military Cemetery at Beaufort, S.C. “

To view the obituary online and share memories please visit the funeral home website Browne*Pennington*Atkins

 It is with deep sorrow that Mrs. Dale Galloway Davies announces the death of her beloved husband, Paul H. Davies, Sr., 79.  Mr. Davies passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville, SC, after a courageous battle with Cancer. A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 2 o’clock on Sunday, March 13, 2022, in The Chapel of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. The Rev. James Robbins will officiate, and the family will receive friends immediately following the service. Military honors will be rendered as he is laid to rest at 1 o’clock on Monday, March 14, 2022, in Beaufort National Cemetery, 1601 Boundary Street, Beaufort, SC. The Directors of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family. Born in Glen Ridge, NJ, on September 9, 1942, he is the son of the late Charles W. Davies and the late Hardie Bell Davies. His life was characterized by his strong faith in God, dedicated service to our country, family, and communities. He had a passion for golf, traveling, and building diverse friendships around the world. He attended Duke University and the University of South Carolina. Mr. Davies is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War; he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963, was later commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, and flew over 400 combat missions with F4 Phantom squadrons. He retired honorably in 1986 as a Major in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves. Mr. Davies also enjoyed a successful career as a commercial pilot, first with Western Airlines based in California and later with Delta Airlines in Atlanta, retiring in 2002. His passion for golf resulted in multiple club championships at various courses in Georgia and South Carolina, and he was particularly proud of qualifying for both the US and British Senior Open Championships. He is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Dale Galloway Davies; sons, Paul H. (Cathleen) Davies, Jr., Mark K. (Morgan) Davies; four grandsons, Zachary, Jacob, Luke, and Phoenix. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Chuck Davies.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to:

The American Cancer Society, PO Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.

~ IN MEMORY ~

PNA/WA/DL Capt. Raymond Elwood BREUM

June 21, 1932 – February 17, 2022

Notice of passing….Delta Golden Wings member retired Pacific Northern/Western/Delta pilot Captain Ray Breum, age 89.  Captain Breum first joined Pacific Northern Airways 04-26-1960, made the merger with Western Airlines, and retired with Delta Air Lines in 1992 based in Seattle.  He is survived by his wife Shirley, and by his children and grand- and greatgrandchildren. 

To view the obituary online

Condolences may be sent to the family at  

 PO BOX 2649, STANWOOD WA 98292-2649.

Thank you,

~ Carol for the PCN 

Obituary: Raymond Elwood Breum took his final flight to heaven on February 17, 2022, at the age of 89. He will always be remembered for his kindness and love for faith, family, and flying.

He was born on June 21, 1932, to Sophie and John Breum in Mount Vernon, WA. While being raised on the Sande Farm with his best friend and brother Lawrence and Sister Katherine, he found a love for sports between chores. He played football, basketball, leading the team to two state championships and baseball for Twin City High School and Basketball at WSU. He discovered his love of flying and joined the Navy and his career as a Naval Aviator and Commercial pilot ensued.

He married the first love of his life Ardlyn in 1956 and as Newlyweds were stationed in Hawaii. They raised three children, Chris, Lori, and Ben living in several states across the country. He was a great Naval Flight instructor in Pensacola and flew military transport.

Ray went on to fly for PNA, Western Airlines, and retired from Delta Airlines in 1992. He could then pursue his favorite hobby of golf, gardening, and travel. He lived in La Conner and Sedro Wooley until Ardlyn’s death in 2008.

He found the second love of his life, Shirley, in 2009 and thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Arizona and Washington with friends and family. He is dearly missed, and his legacy of love and kindness will live on.

He is survived by Shirly Dorsey Breum, his three children: Chris, Lori, and Ben (Lisa). His grandchildren: Audrey (Stephen), Jamie (Charles), Olivia, Megan (Tyler), Jason, Josh(Natalie), and his great-grandchildren: Harper, Raymond, and Aiden.

The beloved Dorsey Children: Steve (Janice), Barb, J.R. (Vicki), and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

 

Services will be held at 1 pm Saturday, February 26 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Stanwood, WA. Graveside Committal service will be held at 11 am at the Freeborn Cemetery.

Last month, Alan Gaines became the first cancer patient treated with a new cellular therapy program at the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center. The 77-year-old retired Navy fighter pilot was fighting an aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The treatment is called chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy, or CAR T-cell therapy for short. UC Davis Health is among only a few places in the state to create so-called “cancer-fighting” cells. Doctors say it looks as though Gaines is headed toward complete remission of his cancer. Follow-up scans in two months will confirm that.

See the full story click on the image below:

Many of Frank’s friends have been unable to contact him. Frank was a victim of a stroke many months back which left him unable to use the internet. For Cards and Letters, please use Frank’s new contact below:

Frank Mayne

15 Glen Creek Lane

Walnut Creek, CA

94595

Telephone: 925/448-2250

Please telephone in advance with Frank to coordinate any visits.

~ IN MEMORY ~

USAF veteran, NWA/WAL/DAL Capt. Ladd Armstrong Petty

January 21, 1933, ~ January 20, 2022

Notification with the passing of retired pilot Captain Ladd Armstrong Petty, age 88, just one day shy of his 89^th birthday.   Ladd first flew for Northwest Airlines in 1959 (05-08-1959).  Due to furlough and personal reasons he joined Western Airlines on 02-28-1961.  Ladd is survived by his wife Barbara, his children, and his grand and great-grandchildren. To view the obituary and share memories online please visit the funeral home website at https://www.bergmortuary.com/obituaries/Ladd-Petty/  Arrangements entrusted to Berg Mortuary of Provo, Utah (801) 373-1841.

Obituary: Ladd was born on Jan. 21, 1933, in Los Angeles, California to Lawrence Dean Petty and Catherine Armstrong. He passed peacefully surrounded by his loving family, January 20, 2022; one day shy of his 89th birthday. He grew up in Woodland Hills and Canoga Park, California. His parents were members of the Beverly Hills Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When he was 6 years old his sister, Bonnidean was born. Then, when he was 8 years old, his brother, Preston Lynn, was born. He was very athletic and very focused. He was a champion gymnast in his teenage years. He started when he was 6 years old to help overcome asthma that he was born with. He graduated from Canoga Park High and went on to attend UCLA playing football for a brief period. He went into the Air Force Academy and from there joined the United States Air Force. He chose to fly Military Air Transport (MATS). He graduated from Academy #1 in his class for flying. He had 3 children from a previous marriage; a son, Ladd, Jr. who died in infancy, Scott Frederick (Melissa), and Elizabeth Lee (Scott). He later married Barbara Jane Putz on March 30, 1968. Together they raised 5 children: Ralph Putz, Douglas McKnight (Teresa), Jennifer (Vernon), Victoria (Nathan), and Catherine (Peter). He had a distinguished career as an airline pilot – flying for Northwest, Western and retired from Delta Airlines. After he retired, he owned a travel agency in Lake Arrowhead, California. He followed the Senior PGA Tour for a few years and loved golf and played right up to the end of his life. He was very active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many teaching and leadership positions. Together, he and Barbara were on-site specialists for the Open House at the Mt. Timpanogos Temple. They also served a temple mission to Orlando, Florida. He served 19 years as a temple worker in four temples. He was an Eagle Scout and loved being a scoutmaster, Seminary teacher, and primary teacher. He is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; 7 children, 21 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren & 2 on the way. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Bonnidean; brother, Preston (who passed a mere 5 days earlier); and infant son. The family would like to thank Canyons Hospice for their loving care and service this past year. Funeral services will be held at 5:00 pm, Monday, January 24, 2022, at the Willow Creek 4th Ward Chapel, 2350 East Creek Road (south side), Sandy, UT. A viewing will take place prior to services at 4:00 pm. Full Military burial will take place at Utah Veterans Memorial Park Camp Williams the following week.

Condolences may be expressed to:

Barbara Petty

8906 South Tracy Drive

Sandy, UT84093-2030

~ IN MEMORY ~

WA/DL Capt. Michael Anthony Doyle

May 3, 1943 – January 22, 2022 

Notice with the passing of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Mike Doyle, age 78.  Captain Doyle joined Western Airlines 03-05-1973 and retired with Delta Air Lines.  He is survived by his wife Kimberly along with their children and grandchildren. Obituary information below is also available online at Daily Breeze

For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family’s address is listed on white pages as: 

312 Garnet St., Redo

 801 Esplanade Ave. Redondo Beach CA 90277

A celebration of life event will be held at a later date….please see obituary information below.

Captain Michael Anthony Doyle, retired WAL/DAL, a longtime resident of Redondo Beach, CA, passed away peacefully at home of natural causes on January 22, 2022. He was 78 years old. Mike was born on May 3, 1943, to “Lee” and Roberta Doyle. He graduated from Redondo Union High in 1961 where he lettered in wrestling. Mike had a zest for life and was a natural athlete. His youth was spent at the beach – surfing, swimming, and playing volleyball. Later in life he and his wife Kim loved to travel, golf, ski, and watch classic movies. Mike was a charismatic and outgoing man who was often told he looked like Robert Redford. His younger years were spent working at his father’s machine shop, but Mike knew he was destined for more. He worked hard to acquire his pilot’s license and had a long career as a commercial airline pilot. He began flying with Golden West and was hired in 1973 by Western Airlines which later merged with Delta Airlines. During his time with Delta, Mike was based out of Los Angeles and Salt Lake City. While he was based in Utah, Mike met the love of his life, Kimberly Betts. Mike and Kim were married in 1991 and blended their two families into one. Mike and Kim were lucky to have over 30 years together. They lived in Park City and later Redondo Beach. He is survived by his wife, Kim; sister, Kathy (Alex) Bohon; children, Dena Doyle and Brian Doyle; stepchildren, Manessa (Paul) Adams and Fisk Charlesworth; nephew, Corey (Tina) Dreher; grandchildren, Colleen, Erin, Isabelle, Rowan, Lincoln, Kai, and Adeline. Mike was happy that he lived long enough to enjoy being a great-grandfather! Preceding Mike in death are parents, Lee and Roberta; brother Steve; and grandson, Ryan. Due to Covid, there will not be a service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later and safer date. Mike will be missed by many who knew him along his life journey.

Sorry that, due to a rather meager response to the invitation and to Covid complications, Paul and Curt have to cancel January’s proposed luncheon. The Fairview Metropolitan needs a ten day notice from us so that they can make the necessary preparations.

We Wallybirds are a dwindling number and that has been complicated the past two years by the pandemic and by some members moving farther from the Bay Area.

The number of pilots still identifying themselves as Wallybirds is creeping from age 60 toward, in Paul’s case, closer to 90! Some of us will keep “the only way to fly” in our hearts to the end but it is becoming more difficult to bring us all together.

Curt and Paul will try this again for Thursday, April 21st.

Meanwhile, we are looking for others who are younger and so motivated to take over the reins.

Hoping to see you in April.

Paul and Curt

Come and Get It!

We are pleased to announce that there will be a Wallybird Luncheon at the Fairview Metropolitan Banquet Facility on Thursday, 20 January 2022 at 11:30 a.m

This will be a very important meeting as we will be discussing the future of our luncheons as well as the Wallybird website. Now that Dick Deeds has “gone West”, we really don’t have anyone to maintain the site, and it is on life support even now. Please come and be part of the conversation about where we go from here

With regard to our luncheon venue at the FM, we have been well served by them, but the cost has increased $3 per person to $28 per person just since last July, so we can no longer break even at $30 after tax and tip. We are offering this lunch at $30 and will dig into our reserves for tax and tip. It may be that we can find a place more suitable for our numbers, such as a buffet with a meeting room, or a place with large tables where everyone just pays individually. Be thinking about places that might fit the bill and feel free to do some recon.

Where: Fairview Metropolitan Golf Course
10051 Doolittle Drive, Oakland, CA 94063
(next to Oakland International)

When: Thursday, 20 January 2022 1130-1400

Menu: House Green Salad, Broccoli Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Salmon with Bernaise Sauce, Tri-Tip with Red Wine Sauce, Dinner Rolls with Butter, Coffee, Decaf, Hot Tea, Water, Chef’s Choice Dessert.

Other beverages are available at the adjacent bar.

Cost: $30 per person

Please RSVP to BOTH Paul Browne (pjbro@sbcglobal.net) AND Curt Taylor (curttaylor@sbcglobal.net) by 1200 Monday 17 January 2022.

Please contact your friends who attend as the website and mailer have been somewhat erratic in getting messages out!

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Curt and Paul

~ IN MEMORY ~

PNA/WAL/DL Capt. Ronald Lloyd Nelson

January 27, 1945 – November 24, 2021

Notification with the passing of retired Pacific Northern/Western/Delta pilot Captain Ronald Lloyd Nelson, age 76.  Captain Nelson joined Pacific Northern Airways on 01-16-1967 and made the mergers with Western Airlines and Delta Air Lines.  He was based in SLC and later JFK.  Captain Nelson is survived by his wife Judy, his children, and his grandchildren. Obituary information is available online at https://obituaries.adn.com/adportal/listing/RonaldLloyd-Nelson/W0026544.html

For those who may wish to send a personal note, the family residence is listed on white pages as 

16749 Woods Pointe Cir., 

Anchorage, AK 99516

 Ronald Lloyd Nelson, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 24, 2021.

Ron had a lifetime career in aviation. He began his career with Munz Northern Airlines in Nome, Alaska. He flew for Pacific Northern Airlines, Western Airlines and retired from Delta Airlines as the 777 lead line check captain. Ron then worked for Security Aviation in Anchorage, Alaska. He flew the Gulfstream out to Shemya on a military contract. He ended his career with Hilcorp managing their Twin Otter. 

Ron loved what he did; flying was not a job to him. Ron enjoyed hunting, boating, fishing, and flying. 

Ron leaves behind his wife, Judy; four children, Rhonda Nelson, Kyle Nelson, Ryan Nelson, and Rachelle Wix; and seven grandchildren. 

We lost dad one week ago. He succumbed to a myriad of health issues it seems, but he fought it all so hard that I really didn’t see it coming. At least not so soon. 

Dad was an inspiration to so many, not only to his children and grandchildren but also to his flying community. He spent a lifetime in the air. He was a rare individual and truly a prince among men. 

Dad became a mentor to many young pilots. When I recently mentioned this to a longtime friend of his, he said “Rachelle, your Dad was not only a mentor … but a Legend.”

And Dad really was. But other than that, he was my daddy. He was the most sincere, forthright, and honest man you could ever hope to meet. He knew everything. He had all the answers. He was the epitome of a father, maybe not always, but for sure when it really mattered. His love was the true definition of unconditional. for. every. one. of. us. All four! 

I love you Dad. It’s difficult right now at least, but I can tell you I promise to “press on” and “stay the course.” 

“Bye for now,” keep your rod tip up and your line tight. Love you Dad. 

A service will be held on Dec. 11, 2021, from 1-2 p.m., at All Saint’s Episcopal Church. There will be a final Departure Event following from 2:30-5 p.m., at Ted Stevens International Airport in the North Terminal.