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.

Reset
Mr. Stephen Armstrong - Class of 1988 , CS-34

Deceased on January 22, 2021 - Informed on February 1, 2021

Please contact the Asssociation of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service was held on 30 Jan 2021 at the Verse by Verse Fellowship in San Antonio, TX.

Mr. Scott Banks - Class of 1991 , CS-03

Deceased on February 27, 2021 - Informed on March 2, 2021

Please ontact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service and interment will be held on 17 July 2021 at 1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. A reception will follow at the USAFA Eisenhower Golf Course. Please RSVP to JuggieA10@gmail.com. For those wishing to attend the service, and do not posess a Military or DoD ID card, please provide the following information with your RSVP: Full name as stated on your driver's license, date of birth (mm/dd/yyyy), Driver's License number and state of issue.

Col (Ret) James Bannwart - Class of 1967 , CS-12

Deceased on February 20, 2020 - Informed on March 4, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Colonel Bannwart passed away a year ago on 20 Feb 2020. Burial in Arlington National Cemetery is scheduled for 26 Mar 2021 at 1300 hours. His obituary can be found at https://www.rader-funeralhome.com/tributes/James-Bannwart. Colonel Bannwart requested no flowers or memorial contributions, but a toast to fond memories in his honor.

Maj (Ret) George Barnes - Class of 1963 , CS-14

Deceased on February 9, 2021 - Informed on February 10, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 19 Mar 2021 at 1100 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion. George's obituary can be found at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/orlando-fl/george-barnes-10053601.

Mr. Paul Beck - Class of 1978 , CS-37

Deceased on September 12, 2021 - Informed on November 30, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A celebration of life was held in Topeka, KS on 3 Oct 2021. He will be inurned at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion Columbarium on 11 July 2022 at 1030 hours.

Ms. Megan Beckett - Class of 1995 , CS-02

Deceased on August 1, 2021 - Informed on August 9, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 21 Aug 2021 at 1700 hours at the Faith Lutheran Middle School and High School; 2015 S Hualapai Way; Las Vegas, NV 89117. Her family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Susan G. Komen Foundation; 13770 Noel Rd, Suite 801889; Dallas, TX 75380; (877) GOKOMEN (465-6636); www.komen.org.

Mr. Michael Benevento - Class of 1984 , CS-33

Deceased on June 5, 2021 - Informed on June 11, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 12 Jun 2021 at 11:00 am at the St. Lawrence Catholic Church; 158 West Street; Essex Junction, VT 05452; (802) 878-5331; www.hfslvt.org. Followed by a reception at the American Legion Post; 3650 Roosevelt Hwy; Colchester, VT 05446; (802) 872-7633; www.mylegion.org. In lieu of flowers the family has suggested that a donation be made in his memory to any local Little League.

Mr. Jon Box - Class of 1979 , CS-36

Deceased on March 15, 2021 - Informed on April 13, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service was held on 20 Mar 2021 at Twickenham Church of Christ in Huntsville, AL. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to His Way, Inc., a faith based addiction recovery program. Donations may be made online at https://hiswayinc.org/ways-to-give/

Dr. Ronald Bracy - Class of 1966 , CS-19

Deceased on August 11, 2021 - Informed on August 24, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 2 Sep 2021 at 1100 hours at the Parkhills Baptist Church; 17747 San Pedro Ave; San Antonio, TX 78232. Burial will follow at 1400 hours at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery; 1520 Wurzbach Rd; San Antonio, TX 78209. Arrangements are being handled by Porter Loring Mortuary; www.porterloring.com.

Mr. James Bujalski - Class of 1960 , CS-05

Deceased on May 28, 2021 - Informed on June 4, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Burial will be at USAFA on 9 Jul 2021, at 1300 hours, in the Memorial Pavilion followed by inurnment in the USAFA Cemetery.

Page 1 of 12 total

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