Colonel Stacy Naftel

Naftel, Colonel Stacy D. Colonel Stacy D. Naftel, 91, passed away peacefully in his sleep from natural causes at The Villages of Lake Highlands in Dallas, Texas on September 28th, 2013. He was born in Atlantic, Massachusetts on May 18th, 1922. Colonel Naftel enlisted in the Army Air Corps on December 16th, 1940 and served continuously through November 30th, 1973. During his military career he was in combat during four wars; World War II, flying 50 missions in the B-25 out of Burma, India; the Korean War, flying 30 missions in the RB-45C Tornados out of Japan; the Cold War, flying the RB-45C for the Central Intelligence Agency; and the Viet-Nam War, flying the B-52 while serving as the Director of Operations for the 8th Air Force. He was an original member of the Flying Sergeants and received a battlefield commission during World War II. Colonel Naftel was featured in Steven Spielberg's documentary film about the World War II Burma Bridge Busters. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Commendation Ribbon among many other honorary military distinctions. After retiring from 33 years of active military duty, Colonel Naftel accepted a position as Personnel Director of Prior Products International in Dallas from 1974 through 1978. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Dallas Baptist University in 1978. Colonel Naftel was a lifetime member of the Military Officers' Association of America (MOAA), The Order of the Daedalians, the Air Force Association, the 91st STRAT, and the Kiwanis Club. His lifelong passion for photography earned him many awards, his best known called, "Reaching For The Stars". He was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church where he served two years as president of the 50+ Club. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Margaret Elizabeth (Bette) Naftel, who traveled with him on many assignments. He fell in love with Bette after hearing her voice on KOKO in La Junta, Colorado. Stacy was a B-25 instructor pilot stationed at La Junta, Colorado. Bette was the first female radio announcer in the State of Colorado. They were married on April 18th, 1945. He is also preceded in death by a son, William Joseph Naftel. He is survived by five children, Dale Crisafulli of Albany, New York, Kathy Faraone of San Jose, California, Joey Naftel of Mascotte, Florida, Don Naftel and his wife Connie of Niceville, Florida, Mike Naftel and his wife Sharon of Mesquite, Texas. Colonel Naftel is also survived by twelve grandchildren and twenty-four great grand children. The family of Colonel and Mrs. Stacy Naftel would like to extend a special thank you to Mrs. Ola Etti of Home Instead and to our extended family at The Villages of Lake Highlands for their overwhelming care, love and support. The family will receive friends from 6:00PM-8:00PM, Thursday, October 3, 2013 at Restland Funeral Home. Father Josef Vollmer-Konig will preside over a Funeral Mass on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 11:00AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church of Dallas, Texas. Interment with full Military Honors will follow at Restland Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the World War II Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, or The Humane Society of Greater Dallas.