Col. Otis Bonner Jr.

Col. Otis L. Bonner Jr.
"There is no remedy for love, but to love more." Henry David Thoreau.
Otis Bonner, fighter pilot extraordinaire, loved God, country, and his family.
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Otis L. Bonner Jr. passed away on April 26, 2012, at the age of 79.
Otis was a New Year's baby, born January 1, 1933, in Athens, to Otis and Dora Bonner. He graduated from Athens High School, Class of 1950, and from the University of Georgia with a degree in accounting, before receiving a ROTC commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force in June of 1954. Otis also graduated from Air War College, in Montgomery, Ala., and obtained a Master's Degree in business at East Texas State University, Commerce, Texas.
On November 26, 1954, in the First United Methodist Church of Cocoa, Fla., Otis married Anne Akridge, a fifth generation Floridian, and daughter of deceased Judge and Mrs. William Akridge.
Otis was a fighter pilot, flying over 150 combat missions in the F-4D from Udorn Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand, over North Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Thailand, during the Vietnam conflict. He also flew numerous maintenance test hops. His last assignment was Director of Plans at PACAF Headquarters in Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii, retiring at Patrick A.F. Base, Fla., in 1980.
He received many medals and awards: Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster,Combat Readiness Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Campaign Service Stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and the U.D.C. Cross of Military Service Medal.
Otis always said he deserved medals for having driven his family across country from the Akridge summer mountain cabin in Moody Hollow, Hiawassee, to Elmendorf A.F. Base, Anchorage, Alaska, completing the trek on the long, dusty, gravely road on the Alcan Highway; and after that four year assignment, in 1963, he flew the family in their Cessna 170 from Alaska to Cocoa-Titusville Airport, in Brevard County, Fla. Both trips were memorable events, especially when traveling with small children. He then reported to Perrin A.F. Base, Sherman-Denison, Texas, where he was an instructor in the F-102A, Delta Dart.
Otis was a member of several patriotic organizations and the Suntree United Methodist Church of Melbourne. He was also a member of the Quiet Birdmen, serving as chairman of the WingDing for many years.
Otis is survived by Anne, his wife of 57 years, and three children: Bradford Bonner, and his wife, Jann, of Vero Beach, Fla.; Stacy Anne Bonner, of Melbourne, Fla.; and Otis L. Bonner III, Esq., of Atlanta. He is also survived by his adopted grandson, Shaun Bonner, age 18, a graduating Senior, Magna Cum Laude, in the International Baccalaureate Programme at Cocoa Beach Jr./Sr. High School, and other relatives in Florida and Georgia.
Otis was preceded in death by his parents and two elder sisters: Mary Juliette "Bonnie" Bonner Redwine, wife of M.R. "Bucky" Redwine, of Athens, and Virginia Ann "V.A." Bonner, Esq., of Atlanta.
Graveside services and burial will be at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 26, at Oconee Hill Cemetery, in Athens. Bernstein Funeral Home will be in charge of the arrangements.
Memorial donations may be sent to Vietnam Veterans of Brevard, 1125 West King St., Cocoa, FL 32922, (321) 690-0805.
Condolences may be left online at www.florida-memorialfh-gardens.com.
May your spirit soar like an Eagle
In the sky so blue
May it be the best flight
You ever flew
Heaven's pearly gates will open wide
Welcoming you at God's side
May you be happy and free of pain
We love you - 'Til we meet again.
Your loving family