Clarence Joseph Sury passed away peacefully in Fort Worth on Tuesday, March 5, 2013. Memorial service: to celebrate the life of Clarence Joseph Sury will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 5, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 6150 Pershing Ave., Fort Worth, 76107, with a reception following. C.J., as he was known to his friends, was a retired U.S. Air Force chief master sergeant, and over recent years local businessman and was well respected in the aviation community. He was born in Fayetteville on Nov. 17, 1932. C.J. enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953, serving his country honorably for nearly 21 years. He earned ratings to fly in five categories including private, commercial, rotorcraft, multi-engine and instruments. He also became certified as an FAA mechanic and used that skill throughout his military and business career. In July 2009, C.J. was awarded two prestigious awards by the FAA, the Charles Taylor "Master Mechanic" Award and the Wright Brothers "Master Pilot" Award that can only be awarded after 50 years of exemplary service in each category and is an extreme rarity in aviation. He was the fourth to have received this award in aviation history and up until his death, C.J. was still an active rated pilot. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Mary Sury; and his younger brother, Edmund Sury. Survivors: His wife of 53 years, Dorothy; sister, Sylvia Ann; son, David and wife, Dana; son, Mark and wife, Rosie; daughter, Julie and husband, Jim; sons, Eric and Paul; grandchildren, Erin, Kyle, Jake, Taylor, Madison and Kelsey; and great-grandchildren, Cailyn, Peyton, Carson and Emmie. C.J. enjoyed a large extended family and the blessing of numerous valued friends.
Published in Star-Telegram on March 17, 2013
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