Rezk M. Mohamed ll

LT. COL. REZK MOHAMED II U.S. Air Force (Retired) Lt. Col. Rezk M. Mohamed ll, U.S. Air Force (retired), 78, of Las Vegas, passed away July 30, 2010. He was born April 3, 1932, in Manhattan, N.Y., and was a 48-year resident of Nevada. Known by friends and relatives as "Col Mo" or just simply "Mo," he received numerous citations and awards while serving over 23 years in the U.S. Air Force. Col Mohamed is a graduate of the Nellis Center's USAF Weapons School and has himself flown over 100 missions as F-105 "Thud Driver" over North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He also had four combat jumps in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Special Forces and Vietnamese Rangers. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Medal with Ten Oak Leaf Clusters. Mo's flying career did not end with the Air Force. He was a 47-year member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Eventually, he acquired his own Cessna 182 airplane and flew numerous flights with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary-Civil Air Patrol, where he became commander, Nellis senior Squadron, Las Vegas. He was also the Nevada Wing chief Check Pilot. From the Civil Air Patrol, he again received a multitude of awards, decorations and letters of commendations. He flew numerous search and rescue missions which were credited with nine finds and saving two lives. He also flew counterdrug and border patrol missions along the Arizona/Mexico border. His accumulated flying time with the USAF and CAP as of May 1, 2004 numbered 10,732 hours. Col Mohamed flew too many different types of fighter jets and conventional airplanes to specify. His love of flying, patriotic duty and helping others were always unsurpassed. After military service he also worked for Lockheed and EG&G. He was very active with the Boy Scouts of America receiving the Silver Beaver award. He raised over one million dollars for the Salvation Army in the Las Vegas Fund Drive. He attained a bachelor of (military) science from University of Maryland. Every person loved to be around "Mo." He had the knack of making us all feel in good spirits. Although he lived his last 48 years in Las Vegas and loved it, he always remained a true New Yorker, he loved his Empire State and of course his New York Yankees. We will sorely miss him. Many will always see and remember him when they look up to an airplane flying overhead. He was preceded in death by his devoted wife, of over 20 years, Donital L. Mohamed; mother, father, and only sibling, sister, Johanna. He is survived by his only son, Rezk Mohamed lll; stepdaughters, Jill Bicknel, Heidi Woodhouse and Eric Garris; stepgrandchildren, Devan and Adriana Bicknel, Veronica, Tim, Bri-ann and Brett Woodhouse and John and Mark Owens; and nephews, John Schimek (Susan), Peter and Rudy Schimek (Doris and Marilyn) and their families. Visitation will be 10-11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 6, with services following, both at Palm Mortuary, 7600 S. Eastern Ave. Burial will follow at Palm Valley View Memorial Park.