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Curtis F. Yancy
Former Quogue resident Curtis F. Yancy died on February 25. He was 81.
One of nine children, he was born in Coleman, Texas, to Eldredge and Lola Yancy, both of whom predeceased him. Married for 54 years to Wanda Mioduszewski, who was born and raised in Quogue, together they travelled with their children to the military bases at which he was stationed.
He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars, serving with the 38th Air Rescue and 31st Tactical Fighter Wing in the U.S. Air Force. His pride in being an American was evident throughout his military career, during which he was the recipient of the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star, Air Medals with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters and 14 others.
He flew 199 combat missions, saved 25 lives and recovered 34 people in Vietnam. He always lived by the code of the Air Rescue man.
After his retirement from a 20-plus year career in the Air Force, he went to work for the Veterans Administration in environmental management in Kerrville, Texas; Waco, Texas; Charleston; St. Louis, Missouri; and Phoenix. He took much pride in his association with the VA.
After his retirement from the VA in 1996 after 22 years of service, he went on to become a genealogist, combining his love for family and history.
Throughout his life, he has been a member of the Phoenix Jaycees, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, honorary member of the Texas Rangers, the American Legion, the Quogue Fire Department, the National Helicopter Society, the Masons, the Disabled American Veterans, the Romeo Club and his Odesa High School class.
Survivors said with his quick wit and kindred spirit, he has touched many lives and was a hero to most. He would be researching family history, emailing his friends and if he wasn’t reading a Western he would be watching a Western. He was always willing to help others in need. And he despised mushrooms.
He is survived by four children, Curtis Yancy and his wife Terri, Milessa Bankston, Christopher Yancy and Milynn Yancy; four grandchildren, Cody, Dustin, John Curtis and Brittniee; three great-grandchildren; and five siblings. He leaves behind many rescue pets, including his faithful dog, Zippy.
Interment with full military honors will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 5, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix. A memorial gathering will follow at noon at The Glendale Civic Center in Glendale.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Heritage Funeral Chapel in Peoria, Arizona.
Memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or Pets for Vets, www.pets-for-vets.com.
on Mar 22, 2013