Mary and family, the greatest generation lost another member and Heaven has accepted another. The Colonel was at first an imposing figure to me. Then as I saw him at Church functions and he was so friendly with all, he lost some of the imposing stature (though not all - my Dad was WWII Army Sergeant and your Dad was after all, a Colonel - I was taught Colonels outranked Sergeants).
May the pain of your loss be relieved by the knowledge of Heaven's gain.
Bless you all.
Kevin