Tag Archives: passing

Passing of David Barber

October 24, 1942 ~ August 13, 2018 (age 75)

Lt. Col. David E. Barber, (Ret.) USAF, 75, died peacefully in his College Station, TX home on August 13, 2018. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he was awarded the Bronze Star as well as many other meritorious medals for his service. Although he had many achievements during his twenty five year military career, he was most proud of commanding the 7th MMS Squadron out of Carswell, AFB. He retired from his second career as a financial planner with First Command/USPA & IRA in 2014 after twenty four years.

Dave Barber was born on October 24, 1942 in Robstown, Texas. He achieved the Eagle Scout rank from the B.S.A. and went on to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Industry from Texas Tech University in 1965, where he was an active member of the Saddle Tramps organization. He received a Master’s degree in Arts in 1973 from Ball State University.

A fierce patriot and Texan, Dave Barber was also a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was a loyal friend who always lent a helping hand in times of trouble or enjoyed a good laugh. Truly, he never met a stranger in his life. He married Martha J. McDavid from Waco, TX in 1965 and enjoyed a marriage of 42 years until her death in 2007. He was blessed in marriage once again to Sandra Kirwan in 2008 and they just celebrated their 10th year anniversary.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; her son, Ron Roach Jr.; his son, Barton; his daughter, Carol Feirick; her husband, Jeffrey Feirick; and his two grandsons, Thomas and Roderick Feirick. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Martha, and his son, Phillip.

A private interment will take place at a future date at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in his memory to Traditions Hospice, 1862 Rock Prairie Road, Suite 202, College Station, Texas 77845.  

Hillier Funeral Home

Charles “Chuck” Daniel Norton, Sr.

Charles Daniel “Chuck” Norton, Sr., CMSgt (ret) 79, of Hawkinsville, passed peacefully away on Friday, August 3, Memorial Services will be held on Sunday, August 26, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home.  A private interment will be held at Andersonville National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart of Georgia Hospice Inpatient Care, 1120 Morningside Drive, Perry, Georgia 31069, or to the donor’s charity of choice in memory of Chuck.

Chuck was born on February 16, 1939, in Dillon, South Carolina, to the late Daniel Charles and Maggie Belle Simpson Norton. Not long after his high school graduation, Chuck enlisted in the United States Air Force. His time spent in Vietnam exposed him to the chemical known as Agent Orange, which unfortunately led to health related set-backs that eventually led to his disability. Chuck spent many years following his active duty service working at Robins Air Force Base until he finally retired in 1996. Even in retirement, he continued to dedicate his time assisting disabled veterans receive the benefits that were earned through their sacrifices defending our nation. Chuck was also proud to honor veteran’s through his time as a Service Officer for the VFW Post 6077 in Hawkinsville for twenty years. We thank you for your service.

Left to cherish the memories they shared with Chuck are his loving and devoted wife, Dovie Stewart Norton; his children, Charles D. Norton, Jr., and Trina McDaniel (Danny); his grandchildren, Miranda McDaniel, Christa McDaniel, and Shelby Norton; brothers, Carl Norton and Jim Norton; many loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and a host of longtime friends.

Condolences for the family may be left in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com.

Watson-Hunt Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Born: February 16, 1939
Place of Birth: Dillon, SC
Death: August 3, 2018
Place of Death: Perry, GA

CMSgt Joseph S. Wata, USAF (retired)

chief-Joeseph-wata
CMSgt Joseph S. Wata, USAF (retired)

Ammo Chief Joseph (Joe) Wata passed away in Pt. St Lucie, Florida on Monday 14th May 2018 following a short illness. Joe was born April 26th, 1931 in Torrington, Connecticut. He is survived by his wife of 21 years Helga and his son Joel, daughter Lindsay and son in law Mark; also his stepchildren Barbara, Annette and Shirley. His cremains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia with full military honors at a future date; to be confirmed later.

Chief Wata enlisted in the fledgling United States Air Force in 1948; graduating from Primary Armament School in January 1949; after a career in Ammo/Munitions he retired in February 1970 having been promoted to Chief Master Sergeant in 1968.

Post retirement from the USAF, Joe returned to the UK and worked for some years at RAF Upper Heyford, where he was prominent in the Retired Affairs Office as Director. Later he would relocate and settle in Florida, where he met and married Helga. They initially lived for many years in Palm Beach Gardens before finally settling in Port St Lucie. During this time he volunteered and continued to serve as Director of the Retired Affairs Office at West Palm Beach.

Chief Wata was a life time member of the Ammo Chiefs Association (Membership Number 39) and has been posthumously awarded the Order of the Shell and Flame.

Passing of Chief (RET) Robert Delaney

Chief-Robert-Delaney
Chief Robert J. Delaney

Robert J. Delaney, 69, of, Erie, died November 1, 2017, at UPMC Hamot.  He was born in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, on December 6, 1947, the son of the late William and Claire Delaney.

Robert proudly served his country for thirty years in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of Chief Master Sergeant.  As a munitions specialist, he received numerous commendations and awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Armed Forces Commendation Medal and Armed Forces Achievement Medal.  He served in both the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm.

He was an avid coin collector and enjoyed flying drones.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Pamela Delaney; and a brother, Thomas Delaney.

Survivors include his son, Robert (Stacy) Delaney, II; one brother, Gerald (Carol) Delaney; one sister, Cindy (Gary) Nettles; one granddaughter, Claire Delaney; and many nieces and nephews.

No calling hours will be observed.

The Glunt Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., Edinboro, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Burial of ashes will be in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust, 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Springs, KY 41076, or online at www.DAV.org. To send condolences, please visit www.gluntfuneralhome.com.

Sign the Guestbook at www.GoErie.com/obits.

(Published in the Erie Times-News on Nov. 5, 2017)

Chief Shawn Patrick Byrne

Shawn Patrick Byrne
Shawn Patrick Byrne

Shawn Patrick Byrne, 55, passed away on November 21, 2016, after a courageous two-year battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife Yon Hui (“Suk Kyong”) Byrne and daughter Jessica Byrne. He will be missed terribly and remembered with tenderness.

Shawn, who spent 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a Chief Master Sergeant (E9), was born in La Mesa, California. He spent several years of his childhood in San Diego, then moved with his family to Dodge City, Kansas, where he graduated from Dodge City Senior High School. He  joined the Air Force soon after and spent his career as an electronics technician at major USAF installations around the world, including Aviano in Italy and Osan in Korea. He retired in 2006 and settled with his family in Cypress, Texas, just outside Houston. At the time his illness was diagnosed, he worked at FMC Technologies as a project manager.

While in the Air Force, Shawn completed his bachelor’s degree in computer management. He had a natural gift for computers and math, but he also loved Porsches, tattoo art and movies, especially science fiction and action films. Classic rock n’ roll was his life-long passion – he believed Led Zeppelin was the greatest band in the history of the world – and before he became ill, he was learning to play the guitar. He was a man of extraordinary patience with a gentle demeanor – Shawn volunteered for a time as leader for his daughter’s Brownie troop at the elementary school near Aviano AFB. He loved maple donuts, sushi, iced coffee and chopped barbecue beef sandwiches, and he was always a good sport about bringing a corn dish to the family’s Thanksgiving feast. He was also famous within the Byrne clan for grilling kalbi (Korean short ribs) to go with his wife’s Korean japchae (glass noodle stir-fry) and dumplings.

Shawn and his wife Yon Hui were married for 36 years. Shawn is also survived by his father Joseph Byrne and mother Joan Byrne of College Station, as well as his sister Melissa Byrne Vossmer and her husband Mark Vossmer of Lago Vista, nephew Jacob Vossmer and his wife Leslie Vossmer of Lago Vista, sister Teresa Byrne-Dodge and her husband Cameron Ansari of Houston, niece Taylor Dodge of Houston and nephew Samuel Dodge of Winter Park, Colo.

Shawn never stopped making plans for the future, all the way to the edge of life. His excellent sense of humor shone even more warmly as his illness progressed.

A memorial celebration was held on Saturday, December 17, 2016, at the family home.

Source: Houston Chronicle, Dec. 4, 2016