James Wayne Minette

1924 - 2016

James Wayne Minette, Colonel (Ret.) US Air Force, age 91, of Niceville, FL, passed away on May 17, 2016. Jim was born in Fargo, ND, September 20, 1924. Following graduation from Fargo Central High School in 1942, he enlisted in the US Navy Air Corps. During WWII he served as a fighter pilot in combat aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington. Following hostilities, he served as a flight instructor at NAS Corpus Christi, TX, until July 1947. He then enrolled at North Dakota State College and graduated with a BS degree in mechanical engineering.
While attending college, Jim resigned his commission as a Navy LTJG and accepted a commission with the 178th Fighter Squadron, North Dakota Air National Guard. He returned to military active duty in 1951 when the squadron was activated for the Korean War. Shortly thereafter he decided on a career in the military and applied for and was accepted into the Regular Air Force.
While on active duty, Jim earned his MS degree in Electrical Engineering. He was assigned to staff and/or supervisory positions in the Research and Development Division, Field Command, Defense Atomic Support Agency, Sandia Base, NM; Research and Technology Division, AF Systems Command, Bolling Field, Washington, DC; and the Armament Test Center, Eglin AFB, FL. In 1969 Jim was recalled to the cockpit and served a tour as an ALO/FAC in Vietnam. Jim retired from the AF in 1971 after which he spent several years servicing TV and electronic equipment. He was an avid golfer playing the game with his "Gaggle" buddies for some 40 years.
Jim was preceded in death by his first wife of 49 years, Shirley Irene Rick. He is survived by their two sons, Richard Minette and Tim Minette (Jenny), and two daughters, Jamie Cline and Susan Kornegay (Donald). He also leaves behind two granddaughters, Kara Cline and Angela Kornegay Phillips and one grandson, Ricky Minette. In 1996 Jim married Janet M. Frederick, who predeceased him in 2009. Janet's son Don Frederick as well as grandson David Stellpflug preceded him in death. Jim is survived by Janet's daughters Aprilly (Jim) Sutherland and Heidi Frederick, grandchildren Jason (Kim) Frederick-Law, Jaron (Rebecca) Frederick, Bethany (Toby) Green, Aaron Anderson, Sarah (Aaron) Brown, Brent (Shelby) Anderson, and eight great-grandchildren.
A memorial/celebration of life service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church, Niceville, FL. Interment with military honors will be at Barrancas National Cemetery at 1:20 p.m. in the afternoon. Arrangements are entrusted to the National Cremation and Burial Society, Milton, FL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Best Friends Animal Society, 5001 Angel Canyon Rd, Kanab, UT 84741, or online at www.bestfriends.org.