David OZUNA

December 30, 1922- December 12, 2022 On Monday, December 12, David N. Ozuna passed away at the age of 99. He was born on December 30, 1922 in Victoria, TX to Tadeo and Vicenta Ozuna and was one of seven children. He was very athletic and played both basketball and football in high school. He was the St. Joseph H.S. class valedictorian when he graduated in 1941, and became the first family member to attend college. With the United States engaged in WW 2, after two years at Victoria Junior College, he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Upon graduating from Flight Training in 1944 he was sent to India and began flying supplies for the British Army and then flew supplies over the Himalayas, known as "the Hump," to aid the Chinese fighting Japan near Kunming. For his service he was awarded 3 Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war he had enlisted in the Air Force Reserves and attended the University of Washington where he received his Bachelors Degree. He was a school teacher in Seattle when he was recalled to active duty and remained in the Air Force until his retirement while at Fairchild AFB. He then became a counselor to service members while also returning to school, and he graduated with a Masters Degree in Resource Management from Gonzaga University in 1977.

It was during his time at Fairchild that he began skiing which became a passion for many years. He traveled throughout the northwest to participate in the Masters Ski Racing program, and then became an instructor at the Mt. Spokane Ski School where he was Instructor of the Year in 2000. He was also the oldest member at age 88 of the senior skiing group known as the Prime Timers at Mt. Spokane.

He remained in good health until the last few years when age began to take its toll. He passed away peacefully without serious illness or injuries. He is survived by three sisters, Consuelo Morales, Andrea Vianes, and Dolores Koster, and his four sons David V., Daryl V., Dale V., and Dean V. Ozuna, and his two grandchildren, Lauren and Michael Ozuna.

Services will be at the Heritage Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 21, at 9:15 am with an internment ceremony at the WA State Veterans Cemetery following at 11:15 am. Memorial contributions can be made to The Fisher House Foundation in support of our Veterans.