Lt. Col. Larry Eli Caison, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), 52, was killed in an aircraft crash in Bay County near Panama City, Fla., on Dec. 18, 2013. He was born at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to Larry and Lorie Caison on Oct. 30, 1961.
Lt. Col. Caison was flying from West Palm Beach to Destin, Fla., to be with his family for Christmas. En route, the single engine plane he was piloting lost power and crashed one mile short of an emergency landing attempt at Sandy Creek air field. He is preceded in death by his father, Larry Foard Caison, in 2009. He is survived by his mother, Lorie Caison of Destin; his sister, Lisa Branham of Chesapeake, Va.; former wife, Nancy Caison, and their daughter, Loren Caison, and son, Owen Caison of Shalimar, Fla.; his niece, Jessica Bullock of Newport News, Va.; and sons, Keaton Thomasson and Dillon Thomasson of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
Lt. Col. Caison is a graduate of Kecoughtan High School in Hampton, Va., in 1979 and the Virginia Military In-stitute in 1983. Lt. Col. Caison retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2006 after 23 years of service. First he was a navi-gator and then convinced the Air Force to send him to pilot training. He piloted the B-1 bomber for the Strategic Air Command and C-130 Combat Talon for the Special Operations Command. His service included duty at McCord AFB in Tacoma, Wash.; Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan; Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D.; Hurlburt Field in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and the Pentagon.
Lt. Col. Caison was president of Grey Aviation, a company in Destin that he founded after retiring from the U.S. Air Force. Grey Aviation is a small company that provides airborne surveillance and special mission capability to U.S. and foreign military and other government agencies. He also founded and owned Grey Tactical Outfitters in Destin.
Lt. Col. Caison had many interests. He coached high school wrestling. He kept a healthy regimen of exercise with running and weight lifting the mainstays. He enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle, traveling and a good cigar. He was a terrific pilot. Mostly he loved and enjoyed being with his family, who will miss him.
A memorial service will be held at Shalimar United Methodist Church, 1 Old Ferry Road, Shalimar, FL 32579, phone number, 850-651-0721 at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 27, 2013. The Rev. Dr. Larry Bryars will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, please make a gift to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, phone 877-832 6997.
Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McLaughlinMortuary.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Northwest Florida Daily News on Dec. 25, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Caison

24 Entries

Nathaniel Middleton

January 12, 2014

Outstanding leader! Eli will be missed. My prayers are with his family.

Greg "Ben" Benjamin

January 9, 2014

Leader, Warrior, Friend

Deanna

January 7, 2014

We will miss Eli so much. Great colleague and friend, enjoyed working with him. Very dynamic person! So sorry for this loss to his family and to Grey as well.

Lee Hess

January 4, 2014

I join all Stray Goose comrades worldwide mourning the loss of a great American patriot. Rest well our brother, your mission here is complete.

Lee & Ginny Hess

January 1, 2014

We are so saddened about the loss of Eli, but feel fortunate that we had the privilege of knowing him; Lee--as a flying special ops brother and Ginny as the involved and caring father of one of her students. Our thoughts are with his family.

Dominique

December 31, 2013

My deepest condolences on the loss of an amazing man and dear friend ...

Gregg & Janet Vander Ley

December 28, 2013

We are so saddened for your loss. We truly enjoyed being stationed with, knowing, and working with Eli and his family. He will be missed by all.

Patrick Butler

December 28, 2013

I am heavily saddened by Eli's passing. We had great times flying the Pacific together. I and our family express our most sincere condolences to your family.

Robby Roberson

December 28, 2013

I held Eli in my arms when Lorie brought him home from the hospital, and followed his stellar AF career throughout the years. Unfortunately, the last time I saw hem was when we laid his father to rest at Barrancas. Lorie, I know it's almost too much to bear, but hand in there, sugar.

Al Williams

December 27, 2013

I am so sorry for your loss. Eli was a great friend from our days in Okinawa. I have very fond memories flying, working, going TDY, and visiting with Eli and the family. I will never forget his constant need to work out, his need to always do his best and be the best, and the GQ look and smile. Rest in peace Eli.

Ken Beebe

December 26, 2013

I remember some great times flying with Eli in Okinawa. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Gerald and Rosemary Smith

December 26, 2013

Thanks Eli, for your service to our country and the sacrifices you made to keep us safe. It was an honor to know you and we only wish it could have been longer. We pray for you and family.

Cat Soulvie Bess

December 26, 2013

So saddened to read of Eli's passing. Eli was a great man. I had the pleasure of working for him in Okinawa and a little bit here at Hurlburt Fld. I send my condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed. RIP Eli Caison

Rory Foster

December 25, 2013

You were good man Eli. I'll always remember the times we shared at Hurlburt Fld and Kadena AB. You'll be missed.

December 24, 2013

On behalf of all of the employees at Regal Air Destin (formally Miracle Strip Aviation)we want the family to know you are in our thoughts and prayers. We are thankful for the time Eli spent with us. He will be missed.

Vince Stubbs

December 24, 2013

I was good friends with Larry during high school and college...last saw him during our 1999 high school reunion, but will always remember him fondly...rest in peace, my friend.

George Zankich

December 23, 2013

I briefly knew Mr. Caison through business, but he was very professional, sincere and pleasant to work with. Very sad to hear of his death, my thoughts and prayers to his family.

Catherine Tyree

December 23, 2013

My thoughts go out to Eli's family and friends.

December 23, 2013

I am truly sorry for your loss. May God Bless you in this time of great sorrow.

Jeri Kelly

Ellen Stacy

December 23, 2013

Truly saddened by this news. Larry was a good person. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family

Jay Williams

December 22, 2013

Our prayers and sympathy to Eli's family. I have great memories both at VMI and the times we overlaped assignments in the Air Force.

God Bless, Jay and Paige Williams

December 22, 2013

Highest Regards for Eli and my deepest sympathy to all of his family.

Jim Outland
VMI83

Ann & Randy Johnson

December 22, 2013

We will miss you, Eli!

Linda Reymond

December 22, 2013

I am sure the world will miss you. But
you will be remembered forever.

Linda Reymond

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