Instead of engineering, John decided on a career in aviation. While attending theUniversity of Washington he joinedROTC and after graduation entered the US Air Force pilot training program. Upon completion, he was assigned to the 34th Air Refueling Squadron based at Offutt AFB, NE, flying KC135s. It was during this time that he met Carol, his wife of 54 years. Carol was an administrative secretary in the underground Command Center at SAC Hq, when the squadron of new pilots wasbrought through the Command Center for orientation.As they passed her desk, she noticed a handsome blond,blue eyed 2nd Lieutenant.They later met at a party, and were married in October, 1966.
After a few years based in New Hampshire, while he flew in the Vietnam War, they returned to civilian life and John became a commercial pilot with Northwest Orient Airlines, based in Minneapolis/St. Paul.He particularly chose NWA so he could someday return to the northwest that he loved. The early seventies found John furloughed on and off from the airline, but the birth of son John Justus (Jed) was a bright star in their lives.An opportunity to purchase a Dodge dealership took them to Mason City, IA. After three successful car years, the birth of their second bright star, Raegan Elizabeth, and finally a recall by Northwest, but still not able to hold base Seattle, they moved to Omaha where John commuted to Minnie.
After three years in Omaha it was looking better for base Seattle, so they set course for the Emerald City. John was truly excited, but only after nine months, Northwest needed him back at Minnie. That's when he and Carol decided to move back to Omaha with John commuting again, and the kids were able to grow up with their cousins. Coming from a small family, he regarded Carol's extended family as his own.
He flew B727s, DC10s, and B747s, mostly to Southeast Asia and later to Europe (he always said he got tired of eating rice), and ended a 26 year career in 1995.He shared his love of flying with his family, traveling the world over five continents, leaving many cherished memories including eating more rice in Southeast Asia!You opened our eyes to the world John, and provided us with opportunities thatgave the children an education never to be achieved in a classroom. We shall be forevergrateful.There's an oldaviation quote, "To fly West, my friend, is a flight we must all take for a final check." You've done yours, forever rest in peace, we love you.
High Flight
"Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace.
Where never lark, or even eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
– Put out my hand, and touched the face of God."
John Gillespie Magee
My Uncle John
My uncle brought hope to my earliest of days
With caring advice along with warm words of praise
With a worldly view, he always knew what to do
To help me become both better and new
My uncle was smart and savvy with great stories to tell
Maybe the most honest of people who I ever knew well
With a family view, he always knew what to say
To help me believe that I could chart my own way
My uncle taught me so much just by sharing so much
About people and trappings and decisions and such
With the most objective of views, he broadened my mind
Earning my trust and my respect each in kind.
You are my uncle, in my heart till the end
You are my Uncle John, my sage and my friend.
Written by me, Jeff Brandt
Uncle John's only Neph
To my #1 Uncle
With love, your special friend, Jeff
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