Col. Walton Lewis Hogan Sr. (USAF Ret.)

HAMPTON - Col. Walton Lewis Hogan Sr., U.S. Air Force, 84, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at Riverside Regional Medical Center of pneumonia. He had been recovering from an injury suffered in an automobile accident on New Year's Day. A native of Atkins, Ark., Col. Hogan was known throughout the Hampton Roads area for his love of flying and for his dedication to his military career and community service. He was a licensed pilot for more than 60 years. During that time, he was a military and commercial pilot, meteorologist, sportsman, educator and real estate investor. He was awarded the Purple Heart and the Legion of Merit. For his years of work with the Boy Scouts, he was awarded the coveted Silver Beaver. As an investor, he developed Carrollton Estates, where the residents named a street "Col. Hogan Lane" in his honor. During World War II, Col. Hogan flew 13 missions in Europe in the B-24 bomber. As a test pilot, he was the only person ever to fly a B-24 alone, which normally required a crew of 10. He flew everything from hang gliders to planes with 10 engines. As recently as two years ago, he flew the Collings Foundation's Liberator, which is the only flying B-24 remaining in the world. He founded, and was president of, the Langley Aero Club. After 33 years of military service, he retired from the Air Force in 1972 and was a resident of Hampton since that time. Col. Hogan's business associations on the Peninsula included Choice One Realty, Consolidated Property Services and Mercury Property Management. He was a member of Daedalians, a military-pilot association; a Shriner; 32nd-degree Mason; and BPO Elk Club member. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Meda Jane (Craig) Hogan of Hampton; four sons, retired Navy Cmdr. Walton L. Hogan Jr. of Fairfax Station, Army Reserve Lt. Col. John C. Hogan of Albuquerque, N.M., William C. Hogan of Lexington, Ky., and Richard E. Hogan of Albuquerque; six grandchildren, Kevin Hogan, Donna O'Neil, Patricia Forman, Craig Hogan, Robert Tavzel and Norman Tavzel; Col. Hogan's best friend and partner, Melba Richards of Hampton; and her daughter, Lori Richards of Cullowhee, N.C. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. today at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home in Hampton. A memorial service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Thursday at First Christian Church in Hampton, with the Rev. Thomas Kleinert officiating. Internment will be at 3 p.m. March 27 in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation Inc., 710 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032.