Ted Brunson

In Memory of Lt. Col. Ted Brunson, (U.S.A.F., Retired) Lt. Col. Ted Brunson (U.S. Air Force, Retired), 76, of Russellville, Arkansas, died Sunday, March 25, 2007, in St. Mary's Hospital, in Russellville. He was born in Mangham, Louisiana on December 13, 1930, to the late John Hewitt and Getties Bacle Brunson and had lived in Russellville since 2003. He was a 1948 graduate of Rayville High School and attended Northeast Louisiana University and Louisiana State University from 1948 to 1951, when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Northeast Louisiana University in 1962. He graduated from the School of Applied Aerospace Sciences at the University of Southern California in 1966. After completing Officer Candidate School and Flight Training, Lt. Col. Brunson served as a Command Pilot in the Air Defense Command from 1954 to 1966, flying Fighter-Interceptors, including the F-80, F-86, F-89 and F-101. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967, flying 285 combat missions as a Forward Air Controller in the O-1 and O-2 and serving as the U.S. Air Force Liaison to the 3rd Korean Marine Brigade. He flew the F-100 and served as Chief of Flying Safety and Director of Safety at 3rd Air Force Headquarters in London, England, from 1968 to 1971. He ended his military career as Chief of Plans and Programs at the Keesler Technical Training Center, in Biloxi, Mississippi. During his military career, Lt. Col Brunson was awarded The Distinguished Flying Cross (for heroism), The Bronze Star, The Republic of Korea In Hun, The Viet Cross of Gallantry, with Palm, 14 Air Medals for combat missions, 3 Air Force Commendation Medals, and various other awards for meritorious service. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1973, he owned and operated Lakeview Lodge Marina on Toledo Bend Lake, near Many, Louisiana, for 10 years. He was the President of the Toledo Lake Association for 8 years and was appointed by Governor Edwin Edwards to the Sabine River Authority Commission, where he served on the Joint Operating Board for 8 years. Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Bettie Acklen Brunson; 4 sons, Brett Brunson, and his wife, Michelle of Natchitoches, Louisiana, Ty Brunson of Russellville, Arkansas, Mark Brunson, and his wife, Janice of Fredricksburg, Virginia, and Rick Brunson, and his wife, Donna of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and 6 grandchildren, Austin, Colin, Luke, Amy, David, and Drew. The family received friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, 2007, at the Brown-Holley Funeral Home in Rayville, Louisiana. The funeral was held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 30, 2007, at the Little Creek United Methodist Church, Archibald, Louisiana, with military honors, the Reverend Ted Freeland officiating. Pallbearers were Walter Acklen, Robert Bell, Jr., Dan Brunson, Perry Brunson, Steve Brunson, and Alan Thompson. Honorary pallbearers were George Alleman, Henry Austin, Roger Brink, Bob McCardle, D. B. McKay, Huey Morris, Perry Whipker, and the surviving members of the 445th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.