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James Regal Obituary
James Dennis Regal, 23, of Butler died Aug. 26 in a small plane crash over Lake Erie.
Born April 2, 1982, at Butler Memorial Hospital, he was the eldest son of Dennis and Beverly Regal.
Jim was a member of the Mount Chestnut Presbyterian Church.
A 2000 Slippery Rock High School graduate, he lettered and was a captain of the football team. His love of football led him to Australia and Hawaii, where he played in the Down-Under Bowl his senior year.
Jim was an ATA Taekwondo Black Belt, a certified scuba diver and loved football, motorcycles, cooking, water-skiing and being with family and friends.
Jim graduated from the Community College of Beaver County, Beaver Aviation Flight School, and Slippery Rock University earning his bachelor's degree in aviation in just three years.
He had worked at the Butler Wal-Mart and the Beaver County Airport; and at the time of his death, he was employed by Pinnacle Airlines, a Northwest Airlink, as a commercial airline pilot. He had recently been notified of making captain status.
He was a certified ground/flight instructor with single engine, multiengine and instrument certifications. He was selected and approved for a federal flight deck officer, which was to protect the plane and skies he flew. He was looking forward to attending the training with his mentor, Uncle Joe, who is also a commercial airline pilot.
Jim spent most of his hours in the air as flying was his ultimate passion. His smile and twinkle of his eye will remain with those who deeply loved him and will forever miss him.
He left behind his parents; brothers, Steven at West Virginia University and Michael at home; his maternal grandmother, Ann Smuch of Prospect; a special companion, Courtney Alexis Schroth of Canton, Mich.; beloved aunts and uncles, Joe and Juanita Regal, Mona and Dean Andres, Liz and Joe Green and Theodosia and Bill Geibel, all of Butler, Barbara Smuch of Prospect, Helena Regal of Pittsburgh and Dave and Pat Regal of Forestville. Numerous cousins; and dear friends, Ron and Sally Took (Zook) of Evans City also survive.
Jim was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Adam and Theodosia Regal and Uncle Nick Kosar.
REGAL - Memorial services for the family and friends of Jim Regal, who died Friday, Aug. 26, 2005, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Community Alliance Church, 800 Mercer Road. The Revs. Jeff Curtis and Dave West will officiate.
Jim achieved and lived his dream of flying. To continue his dream and so that others may experience and live their dream of flying, a scholarship fund has been established at the Community College of Beaver County, James Regal Aviation Scholarship, 1 Campus Drive, Monaca, PA 15601.
Memorial donations may also be made to Texas EquuSearch, P.O. Box 395, Dickinson, TX 77539, the group that located our loved ones.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Regal
Rich & Linda Hemphill
November 27, 2005
Dear Denny, Bev and Family,
You have our deepest sympathy. When Jimmy was younger and we shared birthday parties, I felt he was a special young boy. He certainly proved me right with all he accomplished at such a young age, more than most people ever dream of doing.
May God be with you.
Susie (Crowe) Hitchcock
November 21, 2005
Regal family: I didn't know James, but I do know Joe, Juanita and the boys. They are a very wonderful family and loved their nephew dearly. My heart goes out to them and everyone in the family. You are all in my prayers. My deepest sympathy for you all.
Lori Lanigan
November 16, 2005
To the family of Jimmy Regal,
I want to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. I was so very sad when I heard the news. I was employed in the office at Slippery Rock High School and got to know Jimmy when he helped out in the office. What a wonderful young man, always helpful and smiling. I was always impressed with him. He was a bright spot each day that we all looked forward to. And every time I went into the Wal-Mart, he would come and talk to me and update me with his flying school and future plans. I thought he was the epitome of what a young man should be. I can imagine how proud his family was of him. I used to tell him if I had a son I would want him to be just like him. I am so very sorry. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Lori Lanigan
Holly Hageman-Hartzell
November 15, 2005
Dear Annie,
I was so saddened to hear about your grandson. I feared when I read the article in the paper about the accident that it was one of your grandchildren you spoke of so much. Ann we go clear back to the Zayre's days and your son-in-law and I actually served on a jury together (many years ago). My deepest sympathy to you and your family - what a handsome young man he was. In the days of drugs and so many crimes, you can rejoice in the fact that he was such a nice young man.
God Bless you and your family at this sad time.
Peggy Brewster
November 10, 2005
Dear Bev & Denny:
Burt and I were both so heartbroken to discover this very special young man was your son. We have three boys and just can't imagine what you both must be going through. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you both and with your whole family.
With our Love,
Burt & Peggy Brewster
Tori Snyder
November 7, 2005
Dear Regal family, I worked with Jimmy at Wal-Mart for years. Then he dated my roommate Kelly for a time so he was always hanging out with us. Even after Kelly and him had broken up he still stopped in to visit Vicky and myself. I have sooo many memories of Jimmy that make me laugh every time I cry!! I remember us trying to carry home two pizzas and a two-liter of pop home while we were on his bike! What an adventure that was i'll tell you!! His obsession with n'sync and how he wanted to dance like them brings a huge smile to my face every time!!! But then again every experiance that I shared with Jimmy puts a HUGE smile on my face. I pray for students (past and present) of Slippery Rock High SChool every day as there seems to be such bad luck there with deaths no matter when you graduated. My cousin Ashley Anderson past away almost 4 years ago now she was just a junior at SRHS. She was just like Jimmy, brightened a room now matter where she went. My Thoughts and prayers in your time of sorrow.
Lona Schuster
November 4, 2005
Bev and Family,
Bev have wanted to call you so many times and express my sympathy and tell you my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at your time of sorrow My heart goes out to you and your family and I hold you all in my prayers through this difficult time in your life may God be with you and give you the strength and courage to go on .
May God Bless you
Lona
Al Gable
November 4, 2005
Denny
Your family has our deepest sympathy,we were very sorry to hear of your loss.
al and bonnie gable
Erma Robinson
November 3, 2005
Dear Denny,
I'm not sure you will remember me but when I first read the article in the newspaper, I wondered if this could be your son. I thought how many Regal's could there be especially with the middle name of Dennis.
We go clear back to Job Search at Butler County Community College probably somewhere around 1985 of 1986. Lisa Olszak-McClaine was the Instructor and I was her secretary. I remembered we always had long talks and how much you wanted to go into the PA State Police. I remember how excited we all were for you the day we heard you had passed your test and were going to be sent for training.
What a tragic thing to happen to a family. Our son too, is a Pilot and flies Corporate Charter out of Cleveland. Reading everything about your son, it sure sounds like he loved what he was doing. I think it is something they get in their blood. I know Corey also wanted to be a pilot from the time he was a little boy.
I just wanted to let you know that I have been thinking a lot about you and your family and what you must be going through at this very difficult time. Please accept our sympathy.
Sincerely,
Lyle and Erma Robinson
Peggy Miller Cierebiej
November 3, 2005
Dear Regal Family: You have all been in my prayers since I first heard about this tragic accident from Patty. Some things we can never understand and this is one of them. Dennis and Bev, you should be proud of the fine young gentleman that you raised. I'll be there in spirit, thinking and praying for all of you.
Anne Harshman
November 3, 2005
Dear Friends - We share in your sorrow. God bless you all, and hold you in the palm of His hand. All of the Regals are in our prayers. Love, Bill and Anne Harshman
Tony, Vickie. and Vinny Civitarese
November 2, 2005
You have our deepest sympathy. We are so sorry for your loss. You're in our thoughts and prayers.
Reid & Barb Double
November 2, 2005
To the Regal family, We are so sorry about the loss of Jim.. We didn't know him, but we lived beside Grandpap & Grandma Regal for a lot of years in Meridian and knew all the rest of the family. It is so sad to see such a young life with so much possibility being taken, but God has a plan and he took him doing what he loved the best. Hopefully, good memories will carry you through. Please accept our condolences.
James Rathbun
November 2, 2005
Bev, Dennis, Mike & Steve
Our deepest sympathy to your entire family. What a tragic thing it must be to lose, so early, a wonderful son & brother with such a promising future. We can't begin to know the pain you all must be enduring. Our prayers are with your family.
Deb & Jim
George and Shannon Gabriel
November 1, 2005
To the Regal family,
We share in your loss, as we had many opportunities to spend time with Jim, as well as his brothers and friends. Jim was an absolute pleasure to be around ... a great sense of humor, and a sort of humble confidence that made us proud to know him. Only a great family can produce children like Jim, Steve and Mike. This tragic event has touched us all, and we're sorry that we can not be there to express our condolences personally. All our love.
Karen Marshall
November 1, 2005
You have my deepest sympathy and my prayers.
I was Paul Hertweck's sister;Pat's sister-in-law.
Karen
Debra Ponsonby
November 1, 2005
To the Regal Family,
Please accept our prayers and deepest sympathy! Jimmy was a son to be proud of, and will be deeply missed by many.
Debi, Lindsay and Markie Ponsonby
Mark Antoszyk
November 1, 2005
Dennis and family. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. James and you all will be in my prayers.
Saxonburg PD retired
Rick & Cris Barnett
November 1, 2005
Dear Dennis & Bev Regal,
We wanted to write and let you know how truly sorry we were to hear about Jim's plane crash. He was a good friend to our son, Andy Barnett who also attends the flight program through Beaver Community College. Andy, like Jim loves flying; in fact he has never wanted to do anything but fly since he was two years old. Jim's tragic death was upsetting to everyone at the Flight School and of course to our son Andy also, as he is finishing up his flight ratings at this time. Andy has very found memories of Jim and what a great pilot and friend and fellow classmate he was. We pray that God will grant you peace and comfort at this time of loss. May your hearts be full of the loving memories of your son, and this bring joy to your heart in times of sadness. Jim truly was a great pilot and friend to all.
Our sympathy to you,
Rick and Cris Barnett
Nancy Christie
November 1, 2005
To All of You,
Bev, I am so sorry to hear of Jim's untimely passing. I teach with Lindsey's uncle Daryl, and have prayed for you all, never realizing that this young man was your son. Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss.
Nancy Baker Christie
John and Judy Osborne
November 1, 2005
Denny and Bev;
We were so saddened when we had heard of the crash. Words can not convey our heart felt sorrow. Jimmy was so energetic and so easy to like. He was always a joy to be around. I remember one time when he and Johnny were working at Wharehouse , johnny telling me about Jim comming to him and saying JOhn you have to see the huge guns (meaning arms) on this guy in the other aile. When John rounded the corner he started to laugh and Jim looked at him kind of strange and John had to tell him that the guy was JOhn's grandfather. (my dad) I know that the pain is still fresh and that it will not soon be forgoten but it does dull a little bit. I feel that we all were better people for having known Jim. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
John and Judy Osborne.
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