Dean Todd

Lt Col Dean Todd, US Air Force, Ret.

1932 ~ 2016

Biloxi

Weather briefing is done, flight plan filed, checklist complete…OK sir, let's taxi to the runway. We have been given take off clearance.

Dean Todd on God's speed left his beloved Gulf Coast Thursday, November 24, 2016 Thanksgiving Day. Dean was getting tired and whispered "Take me home" and a voice spoke, "I only take the best"! Can you imagine the wind beneath his wings in that last soft earthly breath? We stand in awe of a husband, father, friend, community leader, volunteer, Officer, gentleman, Christian, patriot and decorated war hero. One is missing from the roll call but never forgotten.

Sir Todd is survived by his wife Victoria of 43 magical years. His first marriage to Carol Rix gave him three amazing children; Cindy Kilgo (spouse Ted) of Willis, Texas, Gregory Todd (spouse Mumine) of Ocean Springs and Connie Anderson (spouse Toby) of Cypress, Texas. There are six terrific grandchildren; Clayton, Aaron, Michael, Connor, Tara, Evan and three great Avery, Emily and Everett; and Goddaughter, Julianna.

Sir Todd's humble life style began on a dairy farm in Westfield, Wisconsin, October 8, 1932. He was an only child to his parents Ardath and Clarence. He knew in those early years of youth that for the rest of his life he did not want to bring the cow's home for milking. However, he always admired the hard work and tenacity it took to keep the barn door open. Their survival depended on how good of a mechanic, veterinarian you were and the accuracy of the Farmer's Almanac. He received his first eight years of education in a rural one room country school house. Those were the days before electricity, indoor plumbing, and the telephone came to their home. The farm was a dangerous playground with animals about but with a mother's ever watchful eye he had pets, rode his favorite horse Tony and entered 4-H calves in the county fairs. Between school and chores he loved to hunt with his dog "Tip" who would do the happy feet dance when he got his rifle down. On the weekends he hunted with his dad and became a marksman shooter. Dean learned the importance of taking care of not only the livestock/land but the gift of Mother Nature. He graduated from Westfield High School in 1950. His love for the woods guided his college studies towards a wildlife/ biologist degree. He attended Central State College at Stevens Point, Wisconsin for three years and worked as a staff member for the Alfa Kappa Lamba Fraternity.

In June 1953, Dean enlisted in the Air Force with his career starting at Sampson AFB, New York. After basic training, Todd entered the Aviation Cadet Program for pilot training. He flew the PA-18, T-6, T-28 and the B-25. With his wings came an assignment to Munich, Germany where he spent three years flying C-119's. His unit was then moved to Everaux, France for a period of six months. Upon reassignment to Dover AFB, Delaware in 1958, Dean terminated his Air Force active duty status and went into the Funeral Director Business in Odessa, Texas for two years with his father-in-law. He enjoyed the restorative art/cosmetic side of the business. Though he did not like those 0-dark-thirty ambulance calls racing to an accident sight and not knowing what to expect. You often were the first to triage in a desolate location. It was ambulance chasing against another local funeral home and that was not our Dean! In 1960 he again started to fly for West Texas Flying Service, a distributor for Moony Aircraft Company. He worked as a salesman and that meant air time. So back our aviator goes, with his hand on the throttle…chin up and chest out. You may take the boy off the farm but you cannot take the love of flying away. He was voluntarily recalled to active duty in 1962. Todd's next assignment was to the Air Defense Command at Hamilton AFB, California where he flew C-123's and obtained his BA degree from San Francisco State College. In 1966 he was assigned to the 314th Air Division, Osan, Korea and he spent 13 months as Photo Reconnaissance Pilot. Returning to the U.S. in October 1967 then Major Todd saw assignment to the 3512th Pilot Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas. In the early part of l968 the squadron moved to Keesler AFB, Mississippi where the school trained pilots for the free world. He was Chief of Military Training for the 3389th Pilot Training Squadron. His flying career encompassed other overseas assignments; France, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. In time, he was honored to be the Memorial Day featured speaker at Jones Park, Gulfport in 2015. Dean was a Veteran of Vietnam who flew and experienced another day while others came home with their caskets draped in the American flag. Dean grew up in the greatest generation and was indeed among a breed of men who understood the meaning of honor, integrity, sacrifice and nation above self. His military career ended in 1980 in charge of 7,500 students as Chief of the Student Affairs Division. Col Todd retired as a Command Pilot with over 5000 flying hours of which 500 were combat. His military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster; Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Good Conduct Medal; Army of Occupation Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Vietnam Armed Forces Training Medal; The Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Fourragere Color of National Order; Military Merit Fourragere and Vietnamese Command Pilot Wings.

Dean met his wife Victoria while she was in training at Keesler AFB and they were married in 1974. In the mid 70's he, his wife, son and daughter-in-law were on active duty at Keesler AFB. He faithfully attended the Keesler Larcher Chapel and Triangle services for over 40 years. He was in charge of the fellowship program, participated as a liturgist, lay reader, usher and sang in the choir. He was one of the original nine men who started the patient escort service for the Keesler Medical Center. This was a volunteer position in which he served 36 years moving over 30,000 patients. It was a ministry for him and he looked forward to those early morning drives to see the sun coming up over Keesler AFB. He was the recipient of the Angel award from the Keesler hospital in 2008. Dean was a prior board member of the Gulf Coast Air Force Association; member and prior President of the Retired Officers Association (MOAA); member and Flight Captain of a flying fraternity the Daedalians; former Commissioner of the West Jackson County Utility District; past President of the Langley Point Home Owners Association; former President of the D'Iberville/St Martin Area Chamber of Commerce and former President of the Gulf Coast Association for Retarded Citizens.

He felt his greatest contribution was his 40 years of service to the Keesler Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. This was a volunteer position of which 19 of those years were as Chairmen of the Board. Dean served as an officer on the National Association of Credit Union Chairman and also served at the state level as Chairmen of the Mississippi Credit Union Association. He was preceded in death by his grandson Kyle Todd and finally the hurting is over. Now Dean has slipped the surly bonds of earth and is dancing the skies on laughter-silvered wing. A forest was praying while he looked beyond the cradle to behold His cross. Now God Himself has wiped away his tears. Who will rescue me now…I wait in the garden?

A visitation will be held on Thursday, December 1 from 4:00-7:00 P.M. at the RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd., Ocean Springs. The following day Friday, December 2 (Same location) there will be an hour visitation 11:30-12:30, Service begins at 12:30 -1:30 followed by graveside military honors at 2:30 the Biloxi National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Dean wanted donations for our local Wounded Warrior Program.

Online tributes may be offered at www.riemannfamily.com