More detail on this person: Mark Deemer Gilson, 73 died after a long struggle with cancer on August 29th, 2017 in The Villages, FL. He was born on November 2, 1943. He is survived by his wife, Diane(Dayton), son Eric Todd Gilson (wife Jamie) of Bend,OR, daughter Jill Ayn Gilson of Phoenix, sister Judy McCalla (husband Darold),brother C.Paul Gilson (wife Barbara), uncle C.Mark Gilson of Chelsea, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins. His father, Thomas Deemer Gilson, mother, Marie Cavanaugh Gilson, and brother, Don Arends, preceded him in death. Mark graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1961, where he played football. He went to Michigan Tech for 2 years and played hockey and football. He finished college at the U of M in 1966. He received a direct commision in the Army and was a Medevac helicopter pilot in Viet Nam. He transfered to the Air Force and flew F4 and F16 fighter jets. He served as an instructor pilot, attended War College in Montgomery, served in the Pentagon, Alaska, Florida and other bases. He ended his career as a full colonel and Director of Operations for the 7th Air Force in South Korea. Honors include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Legion of Medal of Honor and the Air Medal with 16 Oak Leaf Clusters. He loved hockey, football, golf, hunting, fishing, and most of all flying. His family is extremely proud of him and will miss him dearly.
This information was last updated 09/18/2017
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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