Richard Allen "Rick" Connon

Connon, Richard Allen "Rick"
Mar 30, 1934 - Aug 29, 2013

Rick Connon passed away early Thursday morning, surrounded by his family in Columbia, MO, after a battle with cancer. He was born March 30, 1934 in Bucklin, MO to Helen and Neil Connon. He had a younger brother, Robert Connon, that died in 1998. He was married to June Louise Deforest in 1960, who passed away in 1980. He is survived by 3 children, Paul Richard Connon, Melody Rodriguez, and Robert Connon. He had 8 grandchildren; and 6 great grandchildren. He attended Bucklin K-12, and loved playing basketball. He hung around with his buddy, Roy Edward, who was the best man at his wedding. After graduation, he worked 18 months for the Santa Fe Railroad, before entering the Air Force where he served 31 years. In Vietnam he flew 778 missions, and was shot down and wounded twice. He logged 10,000 flying hours on 22 different types of aircraft. In his career he was awarded several medals: 2 Purple Hearts, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, and 16 Air Medals. He was the Chief Master Sgt. in Kadena AFB, Okinawa Japan, with over 2600 personnel and 112 aircraft. The last stint of his Air Force Career was at the Strategic Air Command in Bellevue, NE, flying on the "Looking Glass". His second career was working at the Omaha Post Office. He worked there until he became ill in June.
His MILITARY FUNERAL with Honors will be held at the Jacksonville State Veterans Cemetery, 1479 County Rd 1675, Jacksonville, MO, on Tuesday, September 3, 2013, at 3pm. Please come and say good-bye to an All-American Hero.