More detail on this person: JAMES EYRE OBITUARY James Michiel Eyre, Sr. (Col. Ret.) March 24, 1940 - March 23, 2022 Boise, Idaho - James Michiel (Mike) Eyre, Sr., Col. US Army (Ret) passed away peacefully at home with his wife at his side on March 23, 2022, one day shy of his 82nd birthday. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Edwena (Johnson); Son Dr. James Eyre Jr., of Salem, OR (wife Holly, children Michiel, Andrew, and Brandon); son Brian Eyre of Tacoma, WA (wife Lisa, children Jonny, Will, and Joey); daughter Joanna LaFortune of Columbus, OH (husband Glen, children Gabriel and Becca). Sisters Alberta Beguhl, Helen Goerke, and Margaret Goerke; brothers Joseph Eyre and Thomas Goerke. Mike was born in Montrose, CO on March 24, 1940. He moved to Idaho at a young age and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1959. He attended Idaho State University on an Army ROTC scholarship where he met Edwena and received his undergraduate degree in Science and Education. In later years, he went on to receive a Master's in Education from the College of Idaho. From June 1967 to June 1968, he was stationed in Vietnam where he served as a helicopter pilot assigned to and eventually led Charlie Company, 229th Aviation Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. He was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and countless Air Medals for his heroic actions while in the line of duty. After his tour of duty in Vietnam, Mike taught Science at both Boise and Borah High Schools. He also continued his Military and Aviation career in the Idaho Army National Guard. In the early 1970's his teaching took him and his family to Australia for two years. In 1982, after over a decade of teaching, Mike returned to full time in the Army National Guard. His Active Guard Reserve (AGR) service included stations in Little Rock, AR; Atlanta, GA; and the Pentagon. He finally returned to the West Coast where he was stationed at the Presidio in San Francisco followed by a stent in Salem, OR before finally returning to Boise, ID. After more than 30 years of service, Mike retired from the Army in 1996 as a Colonel. Even in retirement, Mike continued with his passion - flying. At the age of 80 he joined the rare UFO flying club (United Flying Octogenarians) by flying solo. He served 23 years as the maintenance director of the T-Craft flying club based in Nampa, ID. Mike was meticulous about the upkeep of the aircraft under his watchful eye. In 2018 he received the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award from the FAA for 50 years of safe flying. Mike also had a deep love for running. He ran marathons, participated in Idaho's Senior Games, and ran countless other races throughout his life. His passion for running lives on through his children and grandchildren. Although Mike loved flying, there was nothing he was more passionate about than family. His (3) children and (8) grandchildren will always treasure the memories of summer camping trips and songs around the campfire with Grandpa Mike. No one could belt out a better Hallelujah than he could. Mike was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend to many. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Burial information: Idaho State Veterans Cemetery
This information was last updated 08/25/2022
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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