Luther Eugene "Gene" Thweatt

Retired Brigadier General Luther Eugene Thweatt, 92, of Zionsville, Indiana passed away Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Community Hospital North in Indianapolis. He was born April 3, 1933 to the late Zelma (Herron) Thweatt and was always known as Gene.

Gene was born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. He graduated from Bosse High School in 1951 and received the Kiwanis Football Award his senior year. He earned his BS in marketing from Indiana University in 1955 while being enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) during his college years. Gene was an active member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity on the IU campus. In 1978, Gene received his MA from Shippensburg State College. He also graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, Norfolk VA in 1970 and the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA in 1978.

Gene spent 26 years as a fighter pilot in USAF. Upon receiving his initial commission, he entered pilot training and received his wings at Bryan Air Force Base in Texas. He then completed advanced flying school at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada and was assigned his first 'tactical fighter pilot' assignment at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico. During his career, he commanded operational fighter units at the Squadron, Wing and Air Division level.

General Thweatt was a skilled pilot. He loved all the airplanes he flew, but the F-15's were by far his favorite. He was a command pilot with more than 4,800 flying hours, including 725 combat hours. He completed 351 combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. During his Air Force career his military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with an oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Upon retirement from the USAF, Gene held senior level management positions with AAA of Southern Indiana, Eyecare of America, and Welborn Services.

He loved staying active and giving back to veterans. Gene was instrumental in the Point Man Veterans organization in Evansville helping veterans get second chances through the court systems. And for several years he drove veterans to Illinois to receive health benefits from the closest VA facilities. Gene was also very active in his Parish, St Mary's in Evansville, helping on committees and using his wood working hobby to improve various projects in the church.

He loved his family, his God, and his country. The following is an excerpt from a letter he wrote to his oldest daughter upon her thanking him years ago on Veterans Day.

He wrote:

"Once again thank you for your note on Veteran's Day. I am far from a hero…I was paid to operate the most beautiful aircraft ever produced, if I could I would have flown them for nothing. The real heroes of our world are your mother and you. You are the ones that raise children and infuse them with the character that maintains our civilization. In your case you are the keeper of our Republic in your task as an educator passing on the basics of that which defines us as a Nation. The perseverance and patience required are beyond any attributes I may have."

He is survived by his wife 70 years, Diane (Bentley) Thweatt; daughters, Colette (John) Bergin of Carmel, IN, Lisa (David) Schulte of Zionsville, IN and Tara (Jim) Darovec of Keller, TX; grandchildren, Matthew (Amber) Minniear, Meaghan (Travis) Riddle, Michael (Lisa) Schulte, Tara (TJ) Land, Maria (Zach) Brundage and Bennett Darovec; great grandchildren, Owen, Henry, Ellison, William, Caroline, Lane, Weston, and Winston.

Visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026 at Ziemer Funeral Home East Chapel, 800 S. Hebron Ave., Evansville with a memorial service at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 9, 2026 at Sts. Mary and John Parish, 613 Cherry St., Evansville. A Mass of Christian burial will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the church with Father Steve Lintzenich officiating.

Burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery with military honors.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sts. Mary and John Parish, 613 Cherry St, Evansville, IN 47713.