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1. 05:23 AM - Re: Jack's Final Flight (nico css)
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| Subject: | Jack's Final Flight |
Hi Tom,
Our condolences to Jack's family. I remember KABONG. He will be missed.
THanks
Nico
_____
From: owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com
[mailto:owner-rocket-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Tom Gummo
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 4:31 PM
Subject: Rocket-List: Jack's Final Flight
My friend Jack Starn, many of you knew him as KABONG, has passed away. He
has been sick for a long time and his heart just gave up. He hasn't added
his witty comments to the lists for the last several years but the old
timers will remember his emails.
For the new guys/gals on the list, Jack moved next door to me right after I
got the tail kit for the RV-4. It quickly turned into a Harmon Rocket II,
and Jack held the bucking bar for all 16,000 rivets (plus or minus a few).
During the five years of building Jack got cancer and had to have his vocal
cords removed and talked with a buzzer held against his neck.
We had a few good years but he got sick again. They couldn't find out why
he lost 85 pounds and just got weaker and weaker.
Anyway, the email I sent to my EAA chapter is below.
For you all who might remember Jack-KABONG, please sent a short note, you
know just a line or two with a personal comment, and I will copy them to a
letter I will give the family.
The memorial sevice will be May 30th at 10:00 AM. Some RV guys/gals are
attempting to set up a missing man fly-by to start the service. After the
service, we will take him for his last plane ride.
Tom "GummiBear" Gummo
Harmon Rocket II N-561FS 350 hours
Major USAF Retired, F-4G Instuctor Pilot
http://mysite.verizon.net/t.gummo/index.html
****************************************************************************
**
Everybody,
Jack took his final flight this morning, May 19, 2009
Last night, my wife cooked and we took the food up to the Starn's and had a
nice evening with them. Jack was up walking around and we had a long talk
about the Chino Air Show. He looked a lot better than his current normal.
This morning I got a call and was told I had to come right away. When I
arrived, he was with three football coaches from the school where he was
"The Voice of the Ravens." He was unable to talk or raise his head and his
breathing was labored. The hospice nurse said that he could hear us. The
coaches prayed with him, sang a couple of songs and ended with a Raven
cheer.
I walked outside to call my folks who knew Jack and to cancel my trip to
visit them this weekend. When his nephew came out and said it was all over.
He was surround by family and friends.
A couple hours later, the folks came to pick him up and we gathered on the
front lawn to say Good-bye as they loaded him into the truck.
The Air Force decided to say "Thank you for your service" and a plane from
Edwards AFB broke the sound barrier overhead. So Jack was loaded with a
sonic boom.
As I get the details for his memorial service, I will send them to you.
Please keep your thoughts and prayers for his family,
Tom,
Proud to say he was my friend.
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