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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Capt Robert Colby - Class of 2007 , CS-21

Deceased on September 23, 2023 - Informed on October 12, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A Funeral Mass was held 9 Oct 2023 at Holy Family Catholic Church, Fort Worth, TX. Donations: to Cowtown Warriors https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=9C7NFFWLWR6A2&source=url or to Holy Catholic Church, Ft. Worth, TX https://www.holyfamilyfw.org/donate Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/robert-colby-obituary?id=53265661

Mr. Louis Comadena - Class of 1964 , CS-07

Deceased on May 16, 2023 - Informed on May 25, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 23 May 2023 at 1000 hours Ferguson Funeral Home and Crematory, 700 Broad Ave, Belle Vernon, PA 15012 Burial: Bell Vernon Cemetery, 1000 Broad Ave, Belle Vernon, PA 15012 Obituary: https://www.fergusonfhc.com/obituaries/Louis-Comadena/#!/Obituary

Col (Ret) Kenneth Coon - Class of 1982 , CS-07

Deceased on April 22, 2021 - Informed on April 29, 2021

Please contact the association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 8 May 2021 at 1030 hours at the Countryside Baptist Church; 2124 S Western Rd; Stillwater, OK 74074; (405) 372-2023. The service will be live streamed from his obituary page at Strode Funeral Home https://strodefh.com/book-of-memories/4600607/Coon-Col-Retired-Ken/index.php. Look under his picture for Photos and Videos for the link. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Tasia Blue Rescue at www.TasiaBlue.com or To the Fisher House Foundation at www.fisherhouse.org. Checks to either organization may be sent in care of the Strode Funeral Home; 610 S Duncan St; Stillwater, OK 74074.

Mr. John Corman - Class of 1965 , CS-05

Deceased on November 30, 2023 - Informed on September 24, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Cremation: 1200 hours on 6 December 2023 at Wat That Thong, 1325 Sukhumvit Rd, Phra Khanong Nuea, Watthana, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. An informal followed at Chesa, 5 Sukhumvit 20 Alley, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110, Thailand. Obituary: https://www.fccthai.com/archives/101

Col (Ret) Bryant Culberson - Class of 1963 , CS-05

Deceased on September 14, 2023 - Informed on September 20, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral service: 20 Sep 2023 at 1100 hours on 20 Sep 2023 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 545 White Road, Wetumpka, AL 36902. Burial: Private for family only Evergreen Cemetery, Tuscaloosa, AL. https://memorials.gassettfuneralhome.net/usaf-ret-colonel-bryant-phifer-culberson/5270719/index.php

Col (Ret) Gregory Cummins - Class of 1973 , CS-37

Deceased on August 6, 2023 - Informed on August 28, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Memorial Service: 3 Sep 2023 at 1500 hours Christ Community Church, 300 S Artizan St, Williamsport, MD 21795 Visitation at the church will be from 1400-1500 hours. Second Memorial Service: 17 Sep 2023 at 1400 hours Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210 Burial: Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Donations: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105; (800) 805-5856; stjude.org

Mr. Howard Davis - Class of 1959 , CS-01

Deceased on July 28, 2023 - Informed on September 21, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service was held 5 Aug 2023 at 1000 hours at The Master's Bible Church of Sedona, 175 Kallof Place, Sedona, AZ 86336. https://www.greersmortuary.com/obituaries/Howard-Dale-Davis?obId=28583192

Mr. Ronald Deptula - Class of 1981 , CS-15

Deceased on March 15, 2023 - Informed on March 27, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation was held 1300 hours 25 March 2023 at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Pkwy E, Niceville, FL 32578. Military Honors were rendered 1530 hours 25 March 2023 at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, 1405 John Sims Pkwy E, Niceville, FL 32578. Burial: Arlington National Cemetery. Donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, https://t2t.org/donate/ Obituary: https://www.mclaughlintwincities.com/tributes/Ronald-Deptula

Mr. Nick Duran - Class of 2023

Deceased on June 24, 2021 - Informed on June 29, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. The wake will be held on 1 Jul 2021 beginning at 1900 hours at the Keene Spanish Seventh Day Adventist Church; 304 US-67; Keene, TX 76059. A candlelight vigil will immediately follow the wake at 2130 hours. The funeral service will be held at the church on 2 July 2021 at 1900 hours. Cadet Duran will be laid to rest in Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery; 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy; Dallas, TX 75211 on 3 July 2021 with the committal service beginning at 0930.

Maj (Ret) Thomas Eaves , Jr. - Class of 1968 , CS-15

Deceased date unknown - Informed on January 5, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Mass: 28 Jan 2023 at 1000 hours St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 32032 W Lindero Canyon Rd, Westlake, CA 91361

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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