More detail on this person: Bliss, Gustave
Ernest 84, died September 13, 2015 with his family
at his side. Gus was born in San Diego, CA in 1931
to Charles and Florence Bliss. He was a veteran of
twenty years in the US Army, 1948 - 1968. Gus
served in two combat theaters during his service.
He was a radioman in the Korean conflict and in
Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. His most notable
awards were the Air Medal, 19 times, the Bronze
Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. His last
station of duty was the Panama Canal where he
became an avid amateur archeologist, wresting from
the jungles of Panama, a collection of rare
bottles and artifacts. In 2008, he self-published
a book on the subject, Bottlers Utopia. After his
service he continued to fly. Flying fire contracts
was his venue for many years. At 65 he retired
from commercial flying. Reading history, fishing
and prospecting were just a few of his other
interests. He always had a project. As a member of
the LDS Church, Gus was extremely active in the
church. He is survived by his wife of 62 years,
Gracie, whom he married when he was 21 and she
was 15; sons: Ernest (Jane) of Alaska, Daniel of
Wyoming, Wayne (Karen) of Apache Junction,
Cathy of Utah, Mark (Amy) of Utah; sister: Charley
Ann Stoffel of California, half-brother: Lonny
Haptonstall of Arkansas; half-sister: Gladys
Kellog of California, 11 Grandchildren and 14
Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by his
brothers: Lee, Dale and step-brother Junior
Haptonstall. Services will be held 10 AM,
Thursday, September 17, 2015 with a visitation 1
hour prior at the LDS Church, 2520 E. Old West
Highway, Apache Junction. Burial will take place
at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, 23029 N.
Cave Creek Rd. in Phoenix.
Published in The Arizona Republic on Sept. 16,
2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 07/12/2023
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