Lt. Col. John W. Crump

1924-2008

Lt. Col. John W. Crump, USAF Ret. was born on 2 July l924 in Opportunity, WA. son of James and Edna Crump.
He attended schools in Opportunity and Edmonds graduating from Edmonds High School in January 1943, then enlisting in the Air Force.

Bill was assigned to the 8th Air Force, 356th Fighter Squadron stationed in Ipswich, England, where he completed 77 combat missions flying P-40s, P-47s and P-51s. Following WWII, Bill attended the University of Washington and became a member of ATO Fraternity.

Before being called back to active duty in 1946 Bill flew the “bush” in Alaska. His military years took him to all corners of the world with many wonderful experiences. He met Charles E. Lindberg, Bob Hope, Jimmy Doolittle being the most memorable, and the King and Queen of Sweden when Bill returned to Sweden for a reunion of fellow aviators. He had a coyote mascot named Jeep (NMI) who flew 5 missions with him. On a return from a mission, Jeep, who was sleeping, suddenly awoke hearing the flak bursting around the plane, alerting Bill to maneuver from his position thus saving his life. While in Troop Carriers, flying C-124s, Bill flew around the world on the mission transporting the French troops in Vietnam. During his flying career he flew fifty makes and models of aircraft.

Bill was past president of the Edmonds Rotary, American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was also a Commissioner at Paine Field. During his Presidency of Rotary he was responsible for the construction of the Gazebo Band Stand at the Edmonds City Park, and the free wheel chair and hospital lending equipment program for those in need. He up-dated the names of those service men missing in action on the War Memorial which is located in front of the Edmonds Museum. Bill also had the missing headstones, from deceased veterans, replaced at the Edmonds Cemetery. In 1996, because of his many contributions to the community he was nominated and carried the Olympic Torch in the Olympic Torch Relay prior to the Olympic Games, and also received the General Douglas MacArthur award.

His favorite past time before and after retirement was flying. He instructed at Paine Field and Sequim and also flew his Cessna-150 “The Spirit of Edmonds” for many parades and Air Shows. He spoke about flying and also performed many years at the Arlington Air Show. His greatest thrill in later years was flying the famous P-51 “Miss America” when it was owned by Ron and Jeanette Smyth of Edmonds. Bill achieved all rating including single and multi-engine land and sea, helicopter, glider and was an aerobatic instructor, and FAA evaluator. He also owned Bill’s Hardware and Marine for 10 years.

Bill is survived by wife June (Sorensen) and four sons: Terry and wife Ginny, granddaughter Lauren: Bob and wife Trisha, grandchildren Evan and Emily; Eric and wife Karen, grandchildren Justin and Jordan; David and wife Denise, grandchildren Matthew and Michael. Bill has lifted his arms to God and the Wind is beneath his wings.

A celebration of his life will be held at Beck’s Funeral Home, 405 5th Ave So. Edmonds, on Thursday, February 14th, viewing at 9:00 A.M. and service at 10:00 A.M. concluding with a Military graveside service on the Evergreen side (west side of Hwy. 99) at Evergreen – Washelli Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers contribution in his memory may be made to Heritage Flight Museum, Bellingham, Wa.

 

Brita L. Male

Brita L. Male, 76, of Schenectady, New York, died peacefully at home in Kingsway Village on Saturday,September 29th 2007.

Born on 21st December 1930 the daughter of Robert and Bertha Olson, Brita married her soul mate, Kenneth J. Male on December 26th 1970. Ken and Brita are pictured, right. She was educated in Harrison NY and attended Potsdam State Teacher College. During high school Brita was active in singing and with choir groups and given the chance, would always lead everyone and anyone whenever music was played.

She will be remembered by the Martlesham Heath Aviation Society Group. When visiting 356th FG (USAAF) reunions in the USA., if there was an evening sing song, Brita would always be up front, singing, usually wartime songs that the Brit's would encourage her to join in.

Brita was also instrumental with husband Ken, in organising the visits by the 356th FG (USAAF) to England and the subsequent return trips by the MHAS to America.

Brita spent her younger years working for NBC, she also sang with Gary Stevens on WGY Radio. Brita was a member of Niskayuna Reformed Church, and a member of Mohawk Golf Club, Niskayuna and Golden Hills GC in Oclala,Florida.

Mrs Male had two sons and a daughter, a step-son and step-daughter.
The funeral service was on 4th October 2007 at Niskayuna Reformed Church, Rev Scott DeB-lock officiated. Interment was in Niskayuna Cemetery NY..

Brita Male was a lovely gracious lady. As well as being sadly missed by Ken and all her family, she will also be sadly missed by her friends at Martlesham Heath in England.

Robert Dunnett
Vice Chairman
Martlesham Heath Aviation Society

Keith Wood, OBE

Keith Wood was one of our members and one of the original team of “boffins” at the illustrious home of British Radar, Bawdsey Manor.

Keith was born in 1915 at Birmingham and on his 15th birthday went to wireless college at Colwyn Bay. In 1935, after reading “a very mysterious and intriguing” job at Bawdsey Manor, he was interviewed by a panel there that included Robert Watson Watt. He was principally involved in early experiments in airborne radar. Later tests produced the first air-to-air pulse radar contact.

After the war he headed the Blind Landing Experimental Unit at Martlesham and Sutton Heath. Keith was there for ten years before becoming Superintendent in charge of the Atomic Weapons research establishment at Orfordness. In the early 1960’s he joined the team at the Directorate of Electronics and research planning the electronic navigation, radar and automatic landing requirements of Concorde.

In 1972 Keith joined the Decca Navigation Company and in 1982 the Electronic Engineering Association. He worked until the age of 87. His working life spanned what could only be described as a exciting and momentous period in aviation history.

Keith Wood was willing and able to talk of his experiences at societies such as ours until the last. He was a modest man but surely our most distinguished member.

Keith Wood OBE lived at Felixtowe. He leaves a wife, Dorothy and a daughter, Judith.

William G. Craig

Having lived a long and eventful life, Mr. William G. Craig left us to be with the Lord on May 30th, 2007. He was preceded in death by his "Bride," Irene M. Craig, of 46 years. His comfort, kindness and sage advice, will be deeply missed by all.

Born in Turtle Creek, Pa, on December 18, 1921 to Robert M. and Ila Francis Craig, he spent his youth and adult life in Munhall, Pa. Upon graduation from Munhall High School, he received the Thomas Edison Scientific award. While attending Munhall, H.S., he designed the first gymnasium electronic score board the high school ever had which was still in use when his daughters attended Munhall.

Mr. Craig was pursuing an electrical Engineering degree at Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pa when he enlisted in the army air force in 1941. He was assigned the 8th Army 356th Fighter Group. As a 2nd Lieutenant he flew many missions out of Martlesham Heath, England and was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and 6 Air Medals.

Upon return from the war he completed his degree from Carnegie Mellon while working full time at Westinghouse and raising his family. He was an Electrical Engineer for Westinghouse for 45 years and traveled around the world. He developed several patents while working for Westinghouse. Serving on the Ann Ashley Methodist Church Board he was instrumental in getting a parsonage built. He moved to Casselberry, Florida with his bride in 1984 when Westinghouse moved their steam Turbine Division to Orlando.

During his retirement years he worked on obtaining family information and putting together a Family Tree of approximately 2500 people. Some weren't blood related but Bill saw them as "family." This afforded him the opportunity to reconnect with many people and give family a real sense of history and presence.

Mr. Craig is survived by his daughters, Wilmagene (Genie) Maloney, Cassleberry, FL and Jacqueline (Jackie) Abrams (Winter Park Forida.) Also surviving Mr. "PAP" Craig are grandchildren, Cynthia (Scooter) Isbell (Geneva, FL), Kelly (Don) Budnovich, (Oviedo, FL) Ronald (Becky) Johnson (Dade City, FL), Elizabeth (Sam Santos) Abrams (Urbana, IL) and Katherine Abrams (Winter Park, FL); great-grandchildren Helena M. and S. Tyler Crossman, (Geneva, FL), Jarred and Jessica Budnovich (Oviedo, FL) and Dylan and Hayley Johnson (Dade City, FL). Mr. Craig also leaves his sister, Roberta Kause of Arizona and a brother, Donald (Pitts., Pa.) His brother Charles preceded him in death.

There is a large extended family of sister and brothers-in-law, nieces/nephews and their families and friends who will miss his many wonderful qualities and his strengths and lessons that helped our family understand and live the true meaning of family. He set the bar high for himself and was an excellent example of how to be responsible for yourself and your actions. He lived his life showing duty, honor, service and love to his family and country. He was definitely a contributor to the "Greatest Generation." A graveside service, June 10th, 2007 at 11am at All Faiths Memorial Park, Casselberry, FL.

Condolence messages may be entered at the following website:
http://www.legacy.com/orlandosentinel/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=8863791

George L. Yoakum

From: Lea Yoakum, Saturday, March 10, 2007

I wanted to let you know that my father, George L. Yoakum, age 86, passed away on March 1.  He had been battling cancer for 4 years.  He was a P-47 pilot in WWII and was part of the 356th squadron.

He lived in Cadiz, Ky, with his wife of 13 years, Wanda.  He had one child... me, Lea Ann Yoakum, and two grandchildren, Shawna and Jimmy Cornell.
Thank you.

Lea Ann Yoakum