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Last Trap
This page is dedicated to those who recently passed.....
Additional details below
Passing of Eliut "Hadji" Diaz (Screwbird 86-89)
It is with great sadness to pass along Eliut Gilberto Diaz, 67, of Pensacola, FL; passed away January 7, 2025.
He was born in July 20, 1957 at the US Army Hospital, in Heidelberg, West Germany, to parents, SGT Gilberto Diaz- Ramos and Irene Cruz- Ortiz.
Growing up an Army brat, Eliut lived in Germany, Puerto Rico, New Jersey, Alaska and California, all before turning 18. Eliut graduated from Milpitas High School in 1975, getting a degree in Business Administration from Oral Roberts University in 1981 and finally attending University of West Florida in 2004 earning a master’s degree in Computer Science/Software Engineering.
He was active duty in the United States Navy from 1983-1994, United States Reserves 1994-2009. Three shipboard assignments while on active duty were: the USS Kittyhawk (a round-the-world cruise), USS Nimitz, and the USS George Washington (Eliut was a Plank Owner of the GW). With his most memorable duty as an S-3 Viking TACCO with the Screwbirds - Sea Control Squadron THREE THREE (VS-33). Eliut’s call sign was “Hadji”.
Eliut was married to his first wife, Anita Sue Ritchie from 1990-2022, and his current wife Sheila, from 2024-2025.
A funeral service was held on Friday January 24, 2025 at Trahan Family Funeral Home with interment to follow to Barrancas National Cemetery.
For more details please see the website below:
https://memorials.trahanfamilyfuneralhome.com/eliut-diaz/5535000/
Passing of CAPT Brett Pierson (ret)
It is with great sadness to pass along Brett Pierson, CAPT, USN(Ret), passed away last Sunday, 18 August at home in Kansas, after a bravely fought battle with cancer.
Brett was born in Anchorage, Alaska but grew up in South Florida. He was a 24th company plebe and graduated with 29th Company, with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He later earned a Masters in Aviation Systems from the University of Tennessee and an MBA from the Florida Institute of Technology. Brett served over 30 years in the Navy, with command tours both at sea and ashore, including command of the Strike Fighter Squadron 147 (VFA-147) Argonauts and the Air Test & Evaluation Squadron 9 (VX-9) Vampires, as well the assignment of Commodore at the Naval Test Wing Atlantic at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland. After the Navy, Brett joined Textron Aviation Defense in 2017 and rose to became its CEO in 2022.
He is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Sylvia, and his sisters, Heather Hrivnak and Nicki Pierson; and Duffy, a rescued Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever mix from Tortola, British Virgin Islands. CAPT Pierson was predeceased in death by his parents, William and Judith Pierson.
A Celebration of Life was held at NewSpring Church (12200 E 21st Street N, Wichita, KS 67206) on Thursday, 29 August.
Passing of CAPT Phil Voss (ret)
It is with great sadness to pass along that "Father Phil" passed away peacefully this morning (4 Aug).
He was admitted into Hospice care 3 Aug. He had been in the Ortega Gardens Assisted living facility in Jacksonville for the past couple of months, yet due to his failing condition was transferred to Orange Park Medical.
Junior said it best - "It goes without saying that Father Phil, Jughead, the Pope, Commodore, Skipper, Boss, was truly a champion of our community as well as in industry. To those he served with, led, or even encountered him, he was an inspiration. He lifted and challenged us all wherever he was. And oh my, his stories - epic, bigger than life. Frankly, I can’t think of anyone, other than my own family, who had more of an important influence to me professionally and otherwise than Father Phil. I’m sure there are more than can be counted who can make that very same claim. A top shelf toast to Phil, he made a difference."
A Catholic funeral mass was held on August 10th.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Nancy and his family.
Passing of CAPT Jason “Shady” DeGroot
Memphis B767 First Officer Jason “Shady” DeGroot passed away peacefully on May 28, 2024 surrounded by his family and loved ones after a valiant fight with cancer. He was 49 years old.
Jason was born and raised in Hillsborough, New Jersey and enlisted in the US Navy in 1993 as an HC crewman.
Shortly after his enlistment he was selected to attend the United States Naval Academy where he graduated and was commissioned in 1999. Upon earning his wings of gold he was selected to fly the S-3B Viking with VS-21 and VS-41. He then transitioned to the VRC community flying the C-2A Greyhound with VRC-30 until he transitioned to the Navy Reserves in 2010.
In the Reserves, he flew the C-40A (B737) with VR-57 until 2020 when he was selected to serve as the Commanding Officer of both VRM-30 and VRM-50 Reserve Detachments flying the CMV-22B. While flying in the Navy Reserves, Jason was hired by FedEx in 2015 and flew both the B757 and B767.
Jason is survived by his wife: Mia DeGroot and their children: Evangeline, and Harlan.
A funeral service was held on Friday, 26 July at 0930 at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Passing of CAPT Charlie Beauchesne "B+9" (ret)
CAPT Charlie Beauchesne passed away on 3 July after a battle with cancer.
Captain Beauchesne USN served our country on three Western-Pacific cruises in A-6 and S-3 aircraft.
He was a Vietnam veteran with 250 combat missions and 450 carrier landings. During his Vietnam War service, Charlie was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses for combat missions over North Vietnam.
Additionally, he was hand selected to transition S-3 Squadrons to Attack Carrier operations and was in the first factory class at Lockheed Burbank. Many will remember Charlie from his many, many years as an contract instructor at VS-41. Many of you likely had a simulator ride (or two) with Charlie. He had the friendliest and most easy going demeanor which made him an ideal instructor.
His leadership in the Reserves led to command of VRC 30 at North Island as well as VR 57.
Charlie also flew as a Captain for PSA and US Air.
As a USS Midway docent, Charlie loved being on the flight deck where he was a Midway emissary extraordinaire, personally interacting with Museum guests as well as entertaining and educating hundreds of guests delivering traps and cats talks.
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