Last Trap

This page is dedicated to those who recently passed.....

Passing of RADM Luther Schriefer, USN (ret)
Passing of Gregory F. “Melon” Lloyd, CDR (Ret.)
Passing of LT Chris Burton (VS-21)

Additional details below

Passing of Luther Schriefer, RADM USN (ret)

Rear Admiral Schriefer was born in Oshkosh, Wis., and graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1960. Designated a Naval Aviator in October 1961, his first squadron tours were with VS-20 and VS-32, operating from the aircraft carrier USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CVS-39) participating in the Cuban Blockade.

Schriefer attended the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., studying Naval Communications Management, and graduated in May 1967. This was followed by a tour in VS-30, the VS replacement training and readiness squadron. In 1969, he joined the Defense Communications Agency for an in-country tour in the Republic of South Vietnam. He returned to attend the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., graduating in June 1971, and was awarded a Master of Science degree in International Affairs from George Washington University.

Subsequent squadron tours were with VS-22 aboard the aircraft carrier USS INTREPID (CV-11); VRC-50 Detachment DaNang Air Base, Republic of South Vietnam; and VS-28. He joined Reserve Carrier Air Wing 70 as Operations Officer in March 1974, and then reported to VS-22 as Executive Officer and assumed command in 1977. He assumed command of Carrier Air Wing 3 in December 1979 and joined the staff of Carrier Group 6 as Operations Officer for the USS AMERICA (CV-66) Carrier Battle Group in April 1981. Following a tour on the staff of Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as Air Wing Training and Readiness Officer, he was assigned command of Air Anti-submarine Wing 1 at NAS Cecil Field, FL.

Schriefer assumed command of the amphibious cargo ship USS MOBILE (LKA-115) in October 1983, followed by assignment to the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations at the Pentagon. He assumed command of the amphibious assault ship USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-3) in July 1986. He was assigned as Director, Tactical Air, Surface, Electronic Warfare, and Command and Control, Research and Development Division in Washington, D.C., in December 1987; and was named Commander, Anti-submarine Warfare Wing, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at NAS North Island in June 1989; and Commander, Naval Base San Diego, from August 1991 to October 1992. He was promoted to Rear Admiral in January 1992 and assumed duties as Director, Inter-American Region, International Security Affairs, Office of the Secretary of Defense, in October 1992. He was the director of the Caribbean task force during the 1994 Haitian and Cuban crises. In his final assignment, Rear Admiral Schriefer served as the Division Director for the Navy's Environmental Protection, Safety and Occupational Health Division. As the Navy's senior environmentalist, he was responsible for several key initiatives that have enabled the Navy to operate in harmony with the natural environment by achieving safe and environmentally sound ships, aircraft, and installations. He has testified before congressional committees to ensure that members and their staffs understand the Navy's impact on the environment, as well as the effects of environmental laws and regulations on the operations of our Nation's Navy.

Rear Admiral Schriefer was married to the former Sandra N. Swanson of Detroit, Mich. The Schriefer's had four children: Kim, Scott, Michael and Kelly.

RADM Schriefer’s funeral will be held on 5 July 2025 at 1100 at the Victory Lutheran Church, 4651 Kernan Blvd South, Jacksonville, FL 32224.

A light lunch reception at Victory will follow the service. Lunch RSVP: dschriefmom@gmail.com

Family says in lieu of flowers, a donation to Victory Lutheran Church in support of the audio/visual and live stream/media booth to continue the availability for others to worship from home, as Lou enjoyed.

Passing of Gregory F. "Melon" Lloyd, CDR (Ret)

Gregory F. “Melon” Lloyd, CDR (Ret.) left for his final deployment on March 4, 2025, ending a hard fought battle with Parkinson’s disease. Though he won by going somewhere the disease can no longer find him, and not by living forever as his family would have liked, his body and mind are at peace, so it’s declared a victory.

Growing up in Detroit, Greg loved Motown and spent years perfecting his James Brown impersonation. He was an athlete and an avid outdoorsman. He saw beauty in nature and found joy on the water and in the air.

His sense of adventure led him to a 20-year career as a naval aviator, where his head size earned him specially made flight helmets and the call sign “Melon.” And while he never saw combat, he spent years protecting the South Texas skies from Russian MiGs and cruising around the Med.

Even more than his military career, Greg was proud of his 51-year marriage to Mary. The couple met during their freshman year at Eastern Michigan University, and they spent the rest of their lives facing adventures and challenges with equal vigor. There aren’t words to adequately describe her devotion to him, spending countless hours and days and nights in care facilities. Yes, she was fiercely advocating for his care, but really she just enjoyed his company.

Greg was a loving dad to Scott and Emily, who have amassed a fortune in stories because of their father’s tenacious spirit and impeccable comedic timing. Greg was tremendously proud of his kids, reveling in their accomplishments. And he truly loved every minute of being Papa to his grandkids – teaching them how to bait a hook, throw a baseball, and the simple joy of playing in the backyard.

Greg is survived by his wife Mary, son Scott (Siyao) Lloyd, daughter Emily (Paul) Watson, grandchildren Lanna, Alexandra, and Elliot, and siblings Chip, Matt, and Monica. He is preceded in death by his parents, Patricia Lloyd Richey and Charles “Chuck” Lloyd, stepparents, and grandson Isaac Lloyd Watson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation (https://www.parkinson.org/ or National Parks Foundation (https://www.nationalparks.org/).

A Graveside Service was held Friday, April 18, 2025 at the Jacksonville National Cemetery

Fair winds and following seas.

Obit link: https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/austin-tx/gregory-lloyd-12270330

Passing of LT Christopher Donald Burton

It is with great sadness to pass along Chris Burton, 59, of Southland Texas; passed away February 26, 2025.

Christopher Donald Burton, 59, passed away on February 26, 2025 in Southlake, Tx.

A devoted husband, father, son, brother and friend, Chris lived a life marked by service, dedication and love.

Born on Dec 16, 1965, Chris grew up in Euclid, Oh and graduated from Euclid High School in 1984. He went on to earn two bachelor’s degrees in math and physics from THE Ohio State University in 1989 and a masters degree in physics from Texas A & M.

Following his education, Chris served proudly in the US Navy as a naval aviator for ten years, flying a S-3 Viking off an aircraft carrier. After his distinguished service as a lieutenant he transitioned into commercial aviation, beginning his career with United in 1999 before joining Delta on 2000 until the present as a captain.

Chris is survived by his loving wife Bei, his children Grace and Harrison, his mother June and his brothers Ken and Scott. He is also fondly remembered by his uncles Ed and Don, cousin Ainsley, nieces Emily and Amey and nephew Adam.

Funeral service was held in Dallas on March 20th followed by a full military service burial on March 21st at DFW International Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in Euclid, Oh at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to a charity of your choice in Chris’s honor.

https://www.news-herald.com/obituaries/christopher-donald-burton-southlake-tx/