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John Noonan Obituary
GILMER - A memorial mass for Major (ret.) John P. Noonan, 77, of Linden, will be 2 p.m., Saturday, October 24, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jefferson, with the Rev. Mani Mathai officiating with a reception to follow. Arrangements are by Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. Major Noonan died October 18, 2009.
Major Noonan was born in Odell, Illinois. He was a retired USAF pilot. Survivors include his children, Mary McKenzie, Maureen Harbourt, John Noonan, Frank Noonan and Michael Noonan; and stepdaughters, Gigi Cline and Gretchen Cloutier. A Rosary will be recited at 6 p.m., today, October 23, 2009, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jefferson.
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John Alfter
November 21, 2009
May god bless and keep you all in His graces in your time of sorrow.
I remember Uncle John when I was a a young kid while at Randolph AFB, Tx. John and his fellow cadets would toss my brother and I from one man to another in the swimming pool, and its where we basicaly learned to swim.
John and Gail were of great help when they helped in Loretta Noonan Walkers husband's passing..
We send our love and thoughts to you.
John & Carol Alfter
Hal Austin
November 18, 2009
Happy landing, John, you earned it!
November 18, 2009
Our Nation owes much gratitude to John P. Noonan, who pioneered the Strategic Reconnaissance Mission that provided intelligence on defenses and strategic targets in the Soviet Union. Our prayers and sympathy to John's family, Frank and Josephine Hayes, Port Washington, New York
Albert P Mikutis Jr
November 18, 2009
John,
May the road rise to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
The rains fall soft upon your fields
and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
91 PMS
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Patricia Bolt
November 17, 2009
John's is Heaven's gain and our loss.
We need more great guys like him in this world.
My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Patricia Huckleberry Bolt
Daughter of Col. Allen Huckleberry
91st SRW, 323rd SRS
marcus mitchell
November 16, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
November 16, 2009
Although we served in the same squadron (322nd SRS) at Lockbourne AFB, Columbus, OH in 1954...I really met, John, for the first time at the 91st Strat Recon Wing Association reunion at the Air Force Academy in 2002 and have not forgotten him since. We had some meaningful conversations at the time and I rememember him as a true patriot who loved his country, his family, and the US Air Force of which he proudly served. God rest his soul and may he rest in peace. He will be sorely missed by the members of the 91st SRWA, which he truly loved.
Paul F. Kardian
President, 91st SRWA
Robert Peeples
November 16, 2009
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
James F. (Jim) Bard, Jr., Captain, USAF, Retired
November 16, 2009
As Secretary, 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing Association, I wish to convey our condolences. John was a founding member and Past President of our Association; he was highly thought of by us all. A true patriot.
Stanson Moody DMD
October 30, 2009
To the Noonan Family - After reading the wonderful comments by John's many friends and comrads in arms there is not much that can be added to the accomplishments of this highly regarded human being. We may have met at one of the B-58 Hustler reunions because I met so many fantastic dedicated crew members of this era and you were definitely among them. I know you will enjoy God's light that guide's you on this last flight. Keep it under Mach 2.2 and enjoy the ride John. A fellow "Hustler" admirer of all who served with this great program. Dr. Stanson A. Moody ( B-58 Hustler Association Member )
Francis Nolan
October 27, 2009
Dear Mary & Family:
Your dad was among the many second cousins that I have never had the opportunity to meet. However, I certainly felt closer to your dad than any of the others, thanks to your enormous genealogical help and background information on my Noonan side. God bless the Noonans, one and all.
October 25, 2009
God speed John. Herb Stone an old buddy.
Beverly Smith
October 24, 2009
We knew John after he married Gail and were delighted by the happiness they shared. David and I know that memories of this fine man will always bring joy and comfort to his family and many friends.
Ed Morris
October 24, 2009
Shared many a week on alert at Little Rock with John, in the B-58. We would always end up going to mass together while on alert. So sorry for your loss. Ed Morris (Schmoker's crew)
October 24, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of John's death. My sympathy goes to his family
and Gigi and Gretchen
I have so many memories of his visits with Gail to Tarpon Springs
Rita Sanders
Cathy Cisco
October 24, 2009
To all of you my deepest sympathy. Uncle John was kind of special, I always loved his stories--even tho they might take a while to tell they were worth waiting for! It is hard to believe that all the Aunts and Uncles are gone except for Uncle Jim. I guess you know when you become the "older" generation when there is no one left above you--kind of scary. We must make an effort to stay in touch with each other, I think our Moms and Dads would like that. Know you all have been in our thoughts and prayers through this difficult time. May God comfort you and the many memories sustain you. Love and prayers--Cathy & Gene Cisco (Mary Margaret's daughter)
October 24, 2009
I was saddened to learn of your passing John. The B-58 Hustler Association wishes you Blue Skies, Fair Winds and Safe Landings at your new airport. God Speed Old Friend, BJ Brown, B-58 Crewmember
Thomas Dixon
October 23, 2009
I am sorry to hear about Unle John's passing he will be deeply missed by all here in Illinois. We all loved him and looked foward to his storys about his flying and the family.
Pam Dempsey
October 23, 2009
Mary,Maureen & Family,
So sorry to hear of your dad's passing, don't remember alot but, do recall a slumber party at your house on Benoist(many years ago) you all were wonderful hosts as I am sure you still are to this day. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, cherish the memories as I know you already do with your mom. May God be with you and bless you with peace in your hearts. I will always remember the good ole days Thanks be to God. Pam Thorn Dempsey
Leah Schinelli
October 23, 2009
To the family,
I am very saddened to hear of John's death. I have many happy memories of our times together both in Linden and here in Tarpon Springs. I certainly hope you get a chance to say Hi to Al as he had so wanted to see you before he passed away in June.
He was a wonderful friend.
Love, Leah Rae
Brenda Fincher
October 23, 2009
Our prayers are with the Noonan family. The brief times we had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Noonan, my husband and I both were spell bound hearing his memories and experiences. He was obviously a treasure.
October 23, 2009
So sorry to hear of John's passing. He sounds like an amazing person, just like his sister (our grandmother Fran). Rich Davis and Family
Dave Noonan
October 23, 2009
Please accept our sincere condolences, it was sad to hear about John passing. You are in our prayers.
Dave, Ellen, Andrew, Kathryn
and John Noonan
Eric & Teresa Hellberg
October 22, 2009
We are so sad to hear of Johns passing. Our thoughts and prayers to all his family.
Eric & Teresa Hellberg
54G
Frank Alfter
October 22, 2009
My first memories of Uncle John are from the days when he was in Aviation Cadets and my father was stationed at Randolph AFB, TX. He was about to become a jet pilot, something that back in 1954 was truly awesome... still is today. From that time on, John was my role model and I hungered for letters that would tell us what he was flying. He flew the B-47 for about 12 years and was a spot major in SAC, the premier outfit at that time. He even wrote little ol' me a lengthy letter once one night while he was flying as the IP (instructor pilot) on one of his B-47s somewhere over Georgia. I still have that letter... it was so awe-inspiring. He went on to fly the truly blow-your-hair-back B-58, something SAC reserved for only their best pilots. Not long after that I began my AF career and only hoped I could be nearly as good as John. He went on to fly the F-100 and ended up back in SAC in B-52s. I'll never forget the story he told me about one of his navigators in Buffs (B-52) wanting to taxi the huge airplane. It truly was different with the cockpit so far out in front of the forward main landing gear. When you made turns on the ground, sometimes you were out over the grass before you turned to keep the wheels on the concrete and it looked so graceful just steering it. So after many times asking if he could taxi the aircraft, John decided to let him have a go at it. So John let the nav sit in the left seat while he was in the right with his feet on the rudder pedals and arms folded across his chest. The young nav took the column (flight control) in both hands and began to "turn" the aircraft by steering left onto a taxiway. Unbeknownst to the intrepid nav, John was steering the aircraft properly by pushing on the rudder pedals and made it look like the nav was doing a good job taxiing the plane. I don't think they ever told him he wasn't actually taxiing the aircraft.
John had so many stories like this one and others that were pure heroism, the kind that made him the honorable and truly exemplary man he was. John was the standard by which God will measure all of us one day.
We will miss him. We will want to ask many more questions of him. We will miss his gentle ways. But, he has gone to God and we can only hope that we will join him again someday in that heaven beyond that wild blue yonder. Godspeed, Aviator Extraordinaire John Noonan!
Shelly McKenzie
October 22, 2009
Mary,
I am saddened to hear of your father's passing. He was such a wonderful person, and we will miss him dearly at our Christmas dinners. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Iris Noonan
October 22, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. Much love to you, in memory of John P. Noonan.
Patrick & Iris Noonan & family
(Jim & Millie Noonan's son &
daughter-in-law)
Bob Childers
October 22, 2009
So long good friend -- Have a good flight and may you reach out and touch the face of God.
Bob & Lloyd
Jim Bookter
October 22, 2009
Maureen,
I am sorry to learn of your father's passing. We are all thankful for his life, and deeply grateful for his contributions and service to our country.
Amy Noonan-Miramontes
October 22, 2009
You are in my prayers and thoughts!
Jim Noonan's grandaughter
Amy Noonan Miramontes
Max Deckard
October 22, 2009
I am so sorry to read of John's passing.
My thoughts are with you all.
Jim & Marynell Henry
October 22, 2009
Mary, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Your Father must have been a very special person. May the peace of the Lord be with you all.
For the Commander, Carroll R. Michaud
October 22, 2009
The Final Salute
“Brothers in Arms”, Military men and women down through the centuries, have traditionally exchanged “Hand Salutes” as a sign of recognition and as a way to render courtesy and respect one to another.
This “Hand Salute” is the last that we shall render to John P. Noonan our “Brother-in-Arms”. To his family it symbolizes the love and respect that we have for John. And to John it is rendered as a symbol of honor and gratitude to thank him for the devoted and selfless service he rendered to his country during the Vietnam War while serving in the U.S. Air Force. John, your distinguished Vietnam combat record is noteworthy and greatly admired. We bid you a sad farewell. You will be dearly missed from among our ranks. Be at Ease. Rest in Peace.
On behalf of the 1,341 members of Lowe-McFarlane Post 14 of the American Legion, I extend our sympathies and our condolences to John’s family and loved ones.
Dennis Engdahl, Commander, American Legion Post 14
5315 S. Lakeshore Drive, Shreveport, LA 71109
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