William JACOBY

YORKTOWN - Lt. Colonel William "Skip" Jacoby, USAF retired, age 53, died peacefully at home on April 20, 2010, of a brain tumor.
He is survived by his loving wife, Deena; and four girls, Kendall, Kate, Kelly and Kristen; his parents, RADM and Mrs. W.J. Jacoby Jr.; and his sister, Terry.
He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1957 and grew up in a Navy family before earning a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from Emory University in 1979. He was awarded a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 1996.
A distinguished graduate from the USAF Officer's Training School, he was commissioned in 1981. He successfully completed Squadron Officer School and at a later date the Air Command and Staff College and the Air War College. He entered Electronic Warfare Officer Training at Mather AFB, graduating with honors in June 1983. He was selected to fly in the lethal defense suppression aircraft, the F-4G "Wild Weasel." Duty followed at Moody AFB, Ga., where he was attached to the Rapid Deployment Force. Assignments followed at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, George AFB, Calif., and Nellis AB, Nev. During this period he successfully supported combat operations for Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch, Northern Watch and Vigilant Warrior. He was then assigned to the Space Warfare Center at Falcon AFB, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Lt. Colonel Jacoby worked for the Air Force Exploitation of National Capabilities program becoming a Department of Defense leading expert in bringing space capabilities to combat aircraft in near real time. He was later assigned to the Air Force Research Laboratory, Sensor Directorate, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. His final assignment on active duty was at Langley AFB, Va., as the Commander Space Warfare Center, Detachment 2. Upon retirement from active duty, he rejoined Detachment 2 as Deputy Commander with a Civil Service appointment. Lt. Colonel Jacoby had more than 2,200 flying hours in fighter aircraft. His military decorations included the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Achievement Medal.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 10 a.m. Monday, April 26, at 315 Harris Grove Lane, Yorktown, VA 23692. Interment with full military honors will be 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, 2010, at Arlington National Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Nelsen Funeral Home-Williamsburg.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to the Kendall, Kate, Kelly and Kristen Jacoby Educational Savings Account at Virginia Company Bank, 601 Thimble Shoals Blvd, Suite 102, Newport News, VA 23606. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.