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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Mr. DeJuan Cromer , Sr. - Class of 1977 , CS-19

Deceased on January 12, 2021

Mr. Donald Davis - Class of 1977 , CS-28

Deceased on May 16, 2020 - Informed on June 7, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No service information is available at this time.

Maj Gen (Ret) Paul Dettmer - Class of 1977 , CS-19

Deceased on December 29, 2014 - Informed on December 31, 2014

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Viewing will be held from 1400-1600 on 4 Jan 2015 at the Fairfax Memorial Funeral Home; 9902 Braddock Rd; Fairfax, VA 22032-1934. A Mas of Christian Burial will be said on 5 Jan 2015 at 1100 hrs. at St. Andrew the Apostle Catholic Church; 6720 Union Mill Rd; Clifton, VA 20124-1115. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions in Paul's name are welcome at the Air Force Aid Society in lieu of flowers, by clicking on Paul's name at the following link: https://www.afas.org/memorials, or by mail to Air Force Aid Society, 241 18th St. S, Suite 202, Arlington, VA 22202 and please include Paul's name with your contribution. Flowers may also be sent to the Funeral Home, and should be scheduled to arrive no later than noon on Sunday, January 4th.

Col (Ret) James Drake - Class of 1977 , CS-27

Deceased on December 9, 2019 - Informed on January 3, 2020

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 18 Feb 2020 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Community Center Chapel. Burial will follow in the USAFA Cemetery.

Mr. G. Evans - Class of 1977 , CS-31

Deceased on March 6, 2015 - Informed on March 9, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Memorial Service will be held on 10 Mar 2015 at 1800 hrs. at Meyers Funeral Home; 1150 St Rd 46E; Batesville, IN 47006. Flowers may be sent to the funeral home or residence.

Mr. Michael Gerardi - Class of 1977 , CS-10

Deceased on September 11, 1974 - Informed on September 11, 1974

1st Lt John Graper - Class of 1977 , CS-27

Deceased on December 21, 1979

Capt Roderic Gress - Class of 1977 , CS-13

Deceased on February 28, 1984

Lt Col (Ret) Joseph Guhin - Class of 1977 , CS-40

Deceased on February 16, 2021 - Informed on February 26, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral services were held on 25 & 26 Feb 2021 in greensboro, NC. They can be found on YouTube.com. His obituary can be found at https://joeguhin.com/?fbclid=IwAR0laZcv0SrfgrJxwW0p_53AqKAyUr2ihjeOODfo0q4X4l1FSy7GOV2zsSM.

Lt Col (Ret) Scott Harrod - Class of 1977 , CS-33

Deceased on February 23, 2016 - Informed on February 25, 2016

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A viewing will be held on 28 Feb 2016 from 1400 - 1700 hours at Schertz Funeral Home; 2217 FM3009; Schertz, TX 78154 (210) 658-9224 A funeral service will be held on 29 Feb 2016 at 1000hrs at First Baptist Church; 1401 Pat Booker Rd; Universal City, TX 78148 (210) 658-6394 A graveside service will be held on 02 Mar 2016 at 1000hrs. at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Caring Bridge; Donation Processing Center; P.O. Box 6032; Albert Lea, MN 56007-6632 (651) 789-2300 https://www.caringbridge.org/give?split=1100

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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