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Message
My grandpa was a badass…
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:23 pm
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:23 pm
We lost him last night at about 9pm. 94 years.
Born into poverty in Cecilia, 1932. He and my grandma met in Franklin at a dance in 1950. They were married in 1952 until she left us in 2024.. 72 years. He missed her more than he loved anything here.
He enlisted right after they married and was a Colonel in the USAF during Vietnam. Flew more than 80 flight missions out of Saigon, many of them escorting Agent Orange. Later in life, he beat prostate cancer that they attributed to the backpass pilots made after the drop, breathing it in.
He retired after 20 years in when he barely missed the cut for Brigadier General in the early 70s. He’d graduated from Naval War College and worked for DOD on the development team at the Pentagon that designed the F-15 Eagle. He was one of the first to test fly it . Then got his MBA from George Washington.
When he came home, he ran the Onebane Law Firm in Lafayette as business administrator for 20 years. Retired and spent a lot of the last 40 years with me… with us.
I miss him a lot but I’m at this weird emotional space where I’m so grateful they are back together and so proud of who he was.
Louisiana and humanity lost one of its underappreciated great men last night. Thanks for letting me share a little bit about him.
Born into poverty in Cecilia, 1932. He and my grandma met in Franklin at a dance in 1950. They were married in 1952 until she left us in 2024.. 72 years. He missed her more than he loved anything here.
He enlisted right after they married and was a Colonel in the USAF during Vietnam. Flew more than 80 flight missions out of Saigon, many of them escorting Agent Orange. Later in life, he beat prostate cancer that they attributed to the backpass pilots made after the drop, breathing it in.
He retired after 20 years in when he barely missed the cut for Brigadier General in the early 70s. He’d graduated from Naval War College and worked for DOD on the development team at the Pentagon that designed the F-15 Eagle. He was one of the first to test fly it . Then got his MBA from George Washington.
When he came home, he ran the Onebane Law Firm in Lafayette as business administrator for 20 years. Retired and spent a lot of the last 40 years with me… with us.
I miss him a lot but I’m at this weird emotional space where I’m so grateful they are back together and so proud of who he was.
Louisiana and humanity lost one of its underappreciated great men last night. Thanks for letting me share a little bit about him.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:25 pm to CoeJ
Pouring one out for your grand pere.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:28 pm to CoeJ
Sounds like a great guy
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:36 pm to CoeJ
What a great story. Total badass indeed.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:36 pm to CoeJ
quote:
My grandpa was a badass…
He sure was! On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for his service!
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:37 pm to CoeJ
I’m so sorry for your loss
One of the greatest joys of my life was having my Pops in my life as long as I did
God Bless your family
One of the greatest joys of my life was having my Pops in my life as long as I did
God Bless your family
Posted on 11/6/26 at 8:40 pm to CoeJ
quote:
I miss him a lot but I’m at this weird emotional space where I’m so grateful they are back together and so proud of who he was.
94 is a hell of a good run. Glad you had so much time with him.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:00 pm to CoeJ
What a great tribute.
My dad was 95, just shy of 96 when he passed a couple years ago. To say that these were true men is an understatement. The true grit and salt of the earth, bound by honesty, loyalty, family and faith. Miss my old man.
My dad was 95, just shy of 96 when he passed a couple years ago. To say that these were true men is an understatement. The true grit and salt of the earth, bound by honesty, loyalty, family and faith. Miss my old man.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:02 pm to CoeJ
quote:
We lost him last night at about 9pm. 94 years.
Born into poverty in Cecilia, 1932.
Godspeed to him.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:06 pm to CoeJ
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:11 pm to CoeJ
He was in his late 40s in Vietnam. That sounds painful just thinking about it, lol. War is a young man’s game. My father in law was there in the Mekong Delta in the infantry at 18 years old.
This post was edited on 11/6/26 at 9:12 pm
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:14 pm to CoeJ
Per your shared memories your grandpa was a great man. We are all given the opportunity and choice from birth to do good things with our lives. What do we choose…sounds like your grandpa made the right choice
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:15 pm to Sofaking2
quote:
He was in his late 40s in Vietnam. That sounds painful just thinking about it, lol. War is a young man’s game.
He was in his late 30s but yea, it always amazed me that his real flight action and dogfighting was in his mid-late 30s.
Only ever got hit once, hit his empty tank. Flew mostly F4 in combat.
In the midst of all that, adopted my dad in 1959. I’m so so grateful for him.
This post was edited on 11/6/26 at 9:16 pm
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:20 pm to CoeJ
They really don’t make ‘em like that anymore.
Great man who leaves an even better legacy!
Great man who leaves an even better legacy!
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:20 pm to CoeJ
Speaking from experience you will think of him every single day.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:24 pm to CoeJ
Sorry for your family's loss. Seemed like a great man and a great american.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:28 pm to CoeJ
Sounds like he had a life well lived and achieved all that is important in life, namely a long life with a woman who loves him and surrounded by a family who does as well. That is the definition of a truly rich man.
I’m sorry for your loss but happy to hear he is reunited with his loving wife. RIP
I’m sorry for your loss but happy to hear he is reunited with his loving wife. RIP
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:29 pm to CoeJ
American Hero
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:44 pm to CoeJ
That is some mighty fine testimony. His efforts in life have clearly rubbed off on you as well. He sure sounds like a heck of a guy. Everyone’s life is a gift, and he was fortunate to have lived such a colorful life and a long one. Rejoice in his memory.
Posted on 11/6/26 at 9:50 pm to CoeJ
Would have loved to sit on his front porch, sipping bourbon with him and listening to some of his stories.
Men like him don't come along every day. Don't be ashamed to shed tears of love and respect as he is laid to rest.
Men like him don't come along every day. Don't be ashamed to shed tears of love and respect as he is laid to rest.
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