Gone But Not Forgotten

Honoring fallen comrades is an important part of the AOG mission and we ask to be notified as soon as possible of the death of any graduate, Air Training Officer or cadet so that we can take appropriate actions. The AOG has learned of the following deaths within the past 90 days.

For best results, try searching by Last Name (e.g. Smith), Class Year (e.g. 1959), or Cadet Squadron (e.g. CS-01). More complex searches may not return desired results.

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Lt Col (Ret) Channing Morse - Class of 1970 , CS-38

Deceased on August 27, 2015 - Informed on September 17, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services are pending at this time.

Lt Col (Ret) Jack Mueller - Class of 1970 , CS-28

Deceased on April 26, 2024 - Informed on April 30, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Service information: 1000 hours on 14 August 2024 at St. Peter Catholic Church, 55 Jefferson St., Monument, CO 80132. Inturment at USAFA cemetery will follow.

Lt Col (Ret) Russell Northrop - Class of 1970 , CS-36

Deceased on September 25, 2017 - Informed on October 4, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A celebration in memory was held 29 Sept 2017 at the Kent & Pelczar Funeral Home; 77 Exeter Rd; Newmarket, NH. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on 30 Sept 2017 at the Church of St. Thomas More in Durham, NH. Burial followed in the Durham Cemetery. The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Heart to Heart International; 13250 W. 98th St; Lenexa, KS 66215; www.hearttoheart.org or to the St. Thomas More Church Music Ministries; PO Box 620; Durham, NH 03824.

1st Lt Steve Noyes - Class of 1970 , CS-33

Deceased on March 28, 1972

2d Lt Patrick O'Brien III - Class of 1970 , CS-10

Deceased on July 3, 1971

Mr. Gregory O'Kelly - Class of 1970 , CS-27

Deceased on October 6, 2012 - Informed on October 11, 2012

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Celebration of Life will be held on 12 Oct 2012 at 1800 hrs at his home 392 Pismo St; San Luis Obispo, CA. The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the San Luis Obispo Meals on Wheels; 1637 La Vineda Ct; San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 541-1336.

Mr. Thomas O'Meara , Jr. - Class of 1970 , CS-20

Deceased on November 22, 2023 - Informed on November 27, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A service will be held at 1100 hours on 6 Dec 2023 at Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, 5226 W William Cannon Dr, Austin, TX 78749. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers are requested in Thom's memory to the Hill County Ride for Aids, https://p2p.onecause.com/hcra2024, the Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian Church, https://onrealm.org/MySHPC/-/form/give/Legacy, or to the Air Force Academy Foundation, https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063 (please put "Tom O'Meara" in the special note box at the bottom of the page). Obituary: https://www.statesman.com/obituaries/paco0637905

Dr. Michael Paddack - Class of 1970 , CS-24

Deceased on April 28, 2019 - Informed on May 6, 2019

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A service was held on 06 May 2019 at 1100 hrs at First Methodist Church; 1005 Stover St; Fort Collins, CO 80524. The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Guadalupe Mountains National Park; 400 Pine Canyon Dr; Salt Flat, TX 79847.

Lt Col (Ret) Stanley Parks , Jr. - Class of 1970 , CS-28

Deceased on January 15, 2007 - Informed on March 10, 2008

Memorial Services: He was cremated and a private memorial service was held in his home. Memoiral Donations: Hospice of Dayton, 324 wilmington Ave, Dayton OH 45420.

Maj (Ret) Lloyd Patterson - Class of 1970 , CS-22

Deceased on November 15, 2000

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Next of Kin

For Next of Kin support resources please visit: https://www.usafanextofkin.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten annual publication

The Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation has introduced a new benefit to better memorialize USAFA graduates and support their families.

Gone But Not Forgotten, which appeared in Checkpoints magazine for decades, has transitioned to a dedicated, annual publication. The inaugural edition of Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten published in March 2025.

A: As the Academy’s graduate population ages, Checkpoints has become increasingly insufficient in accommodating the growing number of submitted memorial articles.
A: The new Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten publication honors the Long Blue Line by sharing the personal stories of graduates, cadets, Air Training Officers and AOG Honorary Members. It reflects our mission to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution and Long Blue Line.
A: We considered several cost-effective, impactful options and consulted with our peers at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. West Point’s TAPS publication provided an excellent model for this new publication.
A: One complimentary copy is provided to a loved one of the deceased memorialized in the publication. Additional printed copies are available for a nominal fee of $25 each. The digital version is available at no cost to all AOG members.
A: AOG members can access the digital issue at usafa.org. If you are not a member but wish to join and access this benefit and others, membership is available at no cost to all USAFA graduates here.
A: Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten is available for $25 here or by calling 719-472-0300. The fee supports providing one complimentary copy to families of those memorialized.
A: See below:
A: Past memorial articles printed in Checkpoints are available as a commemorative keepsake for $15 each. These keepsakes include the photo that ran with the tribute and are printed on sturdy paper, suitable for framing. Articles come enclosed in a blue linen folder and can be ordered here or by calling 719-472-0300. Commemorative keepsake orders will ship or be available for pickup within two weeks of the order date.
A: See below:
A: A major benefit of transitioning to an annual publication is that 2025 memorial articles may run up to 800 words — double the current limit. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Email a recent favorite photo of the deceased. The photo (head and shoulders, color preferred) should be emailed as a high-resolution .jpg. Low-resolution image submissions may be declined in favor of a cadet yearbook photo.
A: Submit a memorial article and photo through a form at usafanextofkin.org or email deceasednotifications@usafa.org.
A: One of the major benefits of transitioning to a dedicated, annual publication is that memorial articles can now be up to 800 words. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 should be emailed when ready to ensure the Association and Foundation can post the tribute on usafa.org/heritage/gbnf.
A: The last issue memorial articles appeared in Checkpoints was in December 2024, but death notices will continue to be published in Checkpoints.
A: Death notices will be printed in each issue of Checkpoints.
A: See below:
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 will be printed around March 2026.
A: Call 719-472-0300 or email Terri Davis, next-of-kin support specialist, at deceasednotifications@usafa.org.

Gone But Not Forgotten