Joseph C. Vallimont
Maj. Joseph C. Vallimont, U.S. Air Force retired, age 50, died July 10, 1998, at Potomac Regional Hospital, Va., as a result of a heart attack.
A renowned leader in Combat Rescue and AF Special Operations, he was a pilot, instructor, tactician and staff officer at the Pentagon and HQ AFSOC. A combat veteran of Southeast Asia, Maj. Vallimont was an HH-53C "Super Jolly Green Giant" aircraft commander during the evacuations of Phnom Penh, Saigon, and the S.S. Mayaguez recovery.
An instructor pilot in the UH-1N helicopter gunship and the MH-53 PAVE LOW, he pioneered the use of Night Vision Goggles (NVG) for night low-level special operations missions. As the first AF NVG instructor/evaluator, he trained and qualified three squadrons in that demanding environment. These and other contributions directly translated into greatly improved combat capabilities of U.S. conventional and SOF forces displayed in Panama, the Gulf War, and subsequent contingency operations.
Maj. Vallimont published numerous articles and was a guest lecturer at both military and civilian institutions.
Maj. Vallimont is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughters, Nicole and Jenna; three grandchildren; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Vallimont of California; two brothers, Michael and Russell; and sister, Tanya.
A service, with full military honors, will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the Fort Meyer Post Chapel with interment at Arlington National Cemetery.
The family requests memorial contributions to the AMF 20th Fund, Airmen Memorial Foundation, 5211 Auth Road, Suitland, MD 20746; or contact Mr. John Grove at the 20th Special Operations Squadron (884-7312) in lieu of flowers.
Mary Estelle Aplin
Mary Estelle Aplin, age 86, of Crestview, Fla., died Wednesday, July 22, 1998, at Crestview Nursing and Convalescent Home after a lengthy illness.
Mrs. Aplin was born in Crestview on July 23, 1911, to James Elbert and Lila Early Davis and had been a lifetime resident of the Northwest Florida area. Mrs. Aplin was a lifetime member of First Assembly of God Church, where she faithfully served her Lord.
She was a dedicated and devoted Christian, mother, sister and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Mrs. Aplin was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Arnie Lee Aplin; and brother, Joe Davis.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Earl and Maris Aplin of Crestview, and Lee and Joanne Aplin of Port Huron, Mich.; daughters and son-in-law, Barbara Terrell of Crestview, and Ruth and Bill Moore of Baker, Fla.; brothers and sisters-in-law, J.B. Davis of Jacksonville, Fla., Tim and Jenny Davis of Houston, and Bob and Kathy Davis of Panama City, Fla.; sisters and brothers-in-law, Leona Ashburn of Inverness, Fla., Doris and Chester Richards, and Edna and Joe Dunayer, all of Pensacola, Fla.; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
A time of visitation will be conducted at the funeral home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Funeral services will be conducted at First Assembly of God Church in Crestview at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, with Mrs. Aplin being placed in the church at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the funeral. The Rev. George Skipper will officiate at the service and interment will follow in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Crestview. Family members and close friends will serve as pallbearers.
Floral tributes will be accepted at the funeral home.
Arrangements and services under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview.
Miles A. Smith
Capt. Miles A. "Smitty" Smith, age 84, died July 21, 1998, as a result of injuries from a car accident.
His long mariner career spanned the globe. He first went to sea with the U.S. Navy. After leaving the Navy he served in the Merchant Marine through World War II and Korea. His career had many interesting twists, from crewman on Humphrey Bogart's yacht to the rank of master in the Merchant Marine. He was a skilled mariner, marine engineer and licensed surveyor.
Capt. Smith was a true square knot sailor, having sailed in four oceans, more than seven seas, and around all major capes.
Capt. Smith retired with his wife, Martha F. Smith, to Shalimar 20 years ago. During his retirement he used his time and talent in a number of civic positions, including sitting chairman of the Shalimar Planning and Zoning Board for the past 10 years, and provided valuable assistance in the development and improvement of town properties. He was also active as director and vice president of Garnier's Cay Phase II Owners Association since 1990.
He is survived by his children, Michael G. Marino and husband Andrew, Donald T. Graviss and wife Jennifer, and Habib Beni Saad; his nephew, Duke Maynard and family; his 10 grandchildren; and many other family members.
Friends and family may pay their respects at Little Chapel Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Interment services will be held for both Capt. Smith and his wife Martha F. Smith, who died in the same accident, on Saturday, July 25, at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, U.S. Highway 98, Gulf Breeze, Fla.
Capt. Smith's great strength, wit, knowledge and intelligence will be missed by his friends and family. FWAFS Smitty.
Darrell James Putnam Sr.
Retired U.S. Army Maj. "Put" Putnam, age 78, went to meet his Maker on Monday, July 27, 1998 at 6:21 a.m.
"Put" was born on March 6, 1920, in Frederick, Okla. He was a man who loved his country, family and golf. During his 21 years of distinguished service in the U.S. Army he served in both the Korean War and in World War II. An outstanding officer, he was awarded numerous medals including the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and he also received a battlefield commission. "Put" was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge.
"Put" is survived by his wife, Lillie Lee Bolton Putnam of Louisville, Ky.; son, Darrell James Putnam Jr., of Santa Barbara, Calif.; daughters, Patria Darnell Ray of Destin, Fla., and Darlene Duncan of Stuttgart, Germany; sister, Patria "Pat" DeWitt of Florence, Ala.; and 10 loving grandchildren.
The family will welcome friends on Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, July 29, at 10 a.m. in the Emerald Coast Funeral Home Chapel. Interment, with full military honors, will follow at 1:15 p.m. in Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 West College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, FL 32578; or to the American Cancer Society, 4 N.E. Jackson St., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 in memory of Mr. "Put" Putnam.
Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road N.E., Fort Walton Beach, is in charge of arrangements.
Edward Joseph LeLievre
Edward Joseph LeLievre, age 69, retired U.S. Air Force, passed away Friday morning, July 24, 1998, at Twin Cities Hospital in Niceville, Fla.
Edward J. LeLievre was born Oct. 26, 1928, in Waltham, Mass. He was born to Joseph and Marian LeLievre, of Waltham, Mass. He is survived by his wife, Erika Josefine LeLievre, of Choctaw Beach, Fla.; sons, Joseph LeLievre, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Patric LeLievre and wife, Christy, of Choctaw Beach, Fla., and Andre LeLievre, of Choctaw Beach, Fla.; grandchildren, Holli and Kenny LeLievre, of Choctaw Beach, Fla.; sister, Dorothy Lassman, of Waltham, Mass.; brothers, William LeLievre and wife, Terry, of Bradenton, Fla., Frank LeLievre and wife, Edna, of Estes Park, Colo., and Donald LeLievre and wife, Beverly, of Acton, Maine; and a host of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Christ Our Redeemer Catholic Church on White Point Road in Niceville.
Many thanks go to Twin Cities Hospital doctors, nurses and staff for their loving care. Special thanks to Pat and Bill Hemby and Carriage Hills Realty, and their staff for their love and support.
Full military services will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center (CAC).
Jantra S. Braund
Jantra S. "Jan" Braund, age 48, of Fort Walton Beach, Fla., died Saturday, July 25, 1998.
Jan was born on Nov. 9, 1949, in Nakornpranom, Thailand.
Survivors include Sunny Rose, Lin Jordan, Chalermchni Jordan, Saiporn Smith, and many friends and other family members in Thailand.
A time of visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 30, at Little Chapel Funeral Home. Cremation will follow with her ashes inurned in Thailand at a later date.
Little Chapel Funeral Home, 910 Beal Pkwy., Fort Walton Beach, is entrusted with arrangements.
Robert Henry McDowell
Robert Henry McDowell, age 83, of Niceville, Fla., died Sunday, July 26, 1998, at home.
He was born May 10, 1915, in Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward Island, Canada, and lived in Ayer, Mass., for nearly 70 years. He was a resident of Niceville for the past 10 years.
He honorably served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II in both Europe and the Pacific.
A loving husband and father, he was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Irene F. McDowell.
Mr. McDowell is survived by their five children, Marjorie Wright of Ayer, Patricia Ramsden of Niceville, Linda Haefke of Youngstown, Ohio, Roberta Pelletier of Fort Fairfield, Maine, and Richard McDowell of Jaffrey, N.H.; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
Mr. McDowell will be interred in Ayer.
For those wishing to make a donation in his memory, the family asks that those donations be made to Hospice of Northwest Florida, 1005 W. College Blvd., Suite B, Niceville, FL 32578.
McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home, Niceville, entrusted with arrangements.
Jessie Mae Kilpatrick
Jessie Mae Kilpatrick, age 82, of Crestview, Fla., passed away in a local nursing home Monday, July 27, 1998.
Mrs. Kilpatrick was a former resident of Holt, Fla., for 25 years and attended First Baptist Church of Holt. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her sons, Don Kilpatrick of Crestview, Charlie Kilpatrick of Milton, Fla., and Ted Kilpatrick of Pensacola, Fla.; sister, Wilene McLeod of Crestview; nine grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at the chapel of Whitehurst Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 29, with the Rev. Gene Tennes officiating. Burial will follow in Live Oak Park Memorial Cemetery.
Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.
Whitehurst Funeral Home, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Rossie Lee Gordon
Rossie Lee Gordon, age 93, of Crestview, Fla., passed away Friday, July 24, 1998, at Silvercrest Manor in Crestview.
Mrs. Gordon was a native and lifelong resident of Okaloosa County, Fla., and a member of the New Bethel United Methodist Church and Order of Eastern Star, Crestview Chapter 203, where she was a 50-year member.
Mrs. Gordon is a descendent of Moses Asberry Sapp, who was known as Crestview's Blueberry King.
Mrs. Gordon was preceded in death by her husband, Daniel Boone Gordon. Survivors include her daughter, Eloise Coker of Crestview; grandchildren, Ronnie and Sheila Elmore of Montgomery, Ala., Barry and Brenda Coker of Pensacola, Fla., and Norman and Laurie Coker of Crestview; six great-grandchildren; sister and brother-in-law, Opal and Ed Jones of Crestview; brother, Odis Sapp of Crestview; and sisters-in-law, Verna Sawyer of Crestview, Louise Gordon and Velma Gordon, both of Milligan.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 29, at New Bethel United Methodist Church with the Revs. Forrest Weekley and Wesley Spivey officiating. Burial will follow in Old Bethel Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday at New Bethel United Methodist Church with an Eastern Star service at 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to New Bethel United Methodist Church Building Fund.
Active pallbearers will be Norman Coker, Barry Coker, Knute Elmore, Bryan Elmore, Torey Elmore and Robert Johnson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Murry Jones, Mike Sapp, C.J. Sapp, Mac McKinley, Joe Kearley, Randall Merritt, Willie Deese, Terry Sapp, Larry Bowling and Ace Folsom.
Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements.
Olean Affire Walker
Olean Affire Walker, age 98, died Sunday, July 26, 1998, at Palatka Health Care Center following a long illness.
She was born in Bullock, Ala., and grew up in Baker, Fla. Mrs. Walker had been a resident of Palatka, Fla., for the past six years, coming from Crestview, Fla. She was a member of Crestview United Methodist Church, where she kept the nursery. She loved cooking and crafts, and was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her parents, W.J. and Lula Walker. Survivors include her four sisters, Myrtle Bush of Deland, Fla., Lois Melton of Crescent City, Fla., Lucille Bancroft of Los Angeles, and Opal Middleton of Pomona Park, Fla.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Walker's funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Shady Grove Assembly of God Church Cemetery in Baker.
Donations may be made to Crestview United Methodist Church, 599 E. 8th Ave., Crestview, FL 32536.
Masters Funeral Home of Palatka is in charge of arrangements.
