More detail on this person: Lexington
Herald-Leader (KY) - Tuesday, September 27, 2011
BONNER Bruce Alan, beloved husband of 36 years
to Tammy Lynn Bonner, died Sun, Sep 25, 2011 at
Saint Joseph Hospital. He was 63. Born on Jan 27,
1948, and raised in Lake Villa, II, Mr. Bonner was
a farmer during his youth, farming land in Lake
Villa that had belonged to the Bonner family for
over 100 years. He attended Antioch High School
and graduated in 1966. He then enrolled at Wabash
Valley College and graduated with an Associates
Degree in Agricultural Mechanics in 1968. In 1969,
Mr. Bonner joined the U.S. Army and reported to
helicopter flight training at Fort Rucker,
Alabama. After earning his pilot wings, he
reported to the 162nd Aviation Company (Assault
Helicopter) located near Can Tho in the Republic
of South Vietnam and served a year-long tour from
January 1970 through January 1971. As a UH-1A
Huey pilot, Chief Warrant Officer-2 Bonner flew
casualty evacuation, insertion/extraction, and
close air support missions for U.S. ground forces.
While serving in Vietnam, Mr. Bonner was
decorated for heroism and valor earning the Army
Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Bronze
Star with "V" device, and two Distinguished Flying
Crosses. After being Honorably Discharged from the
Army, Mr. Bonner lived in Illinois until moving to
Lexington in 1982 where he enjoyed a lifelong
career in aviation. He flew for local coal
companies and charter businesses and also served
for 18 years as President of Air Lexington, Inc.
In 1995, Mr. Bonner began flying exclusively for
Lexington businessman and philanthropist William
T. Young until Mr. Young's death in 2004. He
continued flying for the Young family until 2010
when he moved to Collinsville, OK in order to
become Chief Pilot for country music singer Garth
Brooks. He flew for Mr. Brooks until his death. In
addition to his wife, he is survived by a
daughter, Britney Gavenonis; a daughter-in-law,
Kerri Bonner; a son, Nute Bonner; a son-in-law,
Tom Gavenonis, Jr; a sister, Gail Wiegand (Jim);
and a brother, John Bonner (Sandee). Services will
be at Kerr Brothers Funeral Home on Harrodsburg
Rd. Visitation will be Tue from 7-9pm with the
funeral service on Wed at 2:30pm followed by
burial at The Lexington Cemetery.
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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