Colonel Dean Arthur Fling

AUSTIN, Texas -- Colonel Dean Arthur Fling, age 85, departed this life on June 21, 2004, two days after again scoring his age on the golf course! Colonel Fling was preceded in death by his parents, James Arthur Fling and Anna Kull Fling of Windsor, Illinois. Colonel Fling was born July 9, 1918 and graduated from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. Upon graduation Colonel Fling joined the fledgling United States Army Air Corps to become a pilot. Colonel Fling served his country with distinction during W.W.II as a B-29 pilot and squadron leader, successfully completing 22 combat missions. After the war, Colonel Fling received numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Legion of Merit during his 28 years of military service. In addition, Colonel Fling received a Masters of Education degree from the University of Illinois and for a period of time worked at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs. Colonel Fling married Nina M. Tefft on July 10, 1941 and they were happily married for almost 64 years. Colonel and Mrs. Fling moved to Austin in 1970 and have resided in Texas since that time. Colonel Fling is survived by Nina and their three children; Atty. James C. Fling (LTC-USA-retired), and wife Katrina of Shamrock, Texas; Kathryn Hall (speech pathologist-retired) and husband Carl of Evansville, Indiana, and Dr. John A. Fling (LTC-USAF-retired) and wife Motsy of Fort Worth, Texas; their grandchildren: Dana MacCauley, James M. Fling, Andrew Fling, Rebecca Fling and Heather Fling; and two great-grandchildren: Riley MacCauley and Reagan MacCauley. The Fling family would like to express our heartfelt thanks to the numerous friends and neighbors who have helped us and been with us during this time of sorrow. The family requests that any memorials be given to a charity of choice. To sign the online guestbook, go to www.jg-tc.com and click on obituaries.