More detail on this person: Vernon T. Judkins
died peacefully in Tucson, Arizona on July 20,
2015, at the age of 93. He was born in Aberdeen,
South Dakota and graduated in 1941 from Prosser
High School, accepting a scholarship to
Washington State College. He served in WWII as
an Army Air Corp fighter pilot, flying P51
Mustangs over Northern Europe. Returning from the
war, he owned and operated an airfield and flight
school in Kennewick, WA. He returned to his Army
Aviator career in 1952; serving in Korea as a MASH
helicopter pilot, commanding a helicopter group
that mapped Central and South America, and
deploying to Vietnam as a pilot with the 161st
Avn. Co. He retired from the US Army in 1968,
acquiring many medals and memories during his 26
years of service to his country. He was proudest
of the Soldier's Medal, the highest peacetime
medal a soldier can receive, given to him in 1955
for heroism. His fondest memory was flying his
plane through the arch of the Eiffel Tower during
the liberation of Paris in 1945. After retiring
from the US Army, he graduated from the University
of Washington Law School in 1970 and began a 20
year career in Aviation Law, practicing in
Seattle, WA. In 1992, he moved to Arizona to golf,
play bridge and enjoy a good cigar, while reading
his favorite Louis L'Amour novel. He is survived
by his wife of 63 years, Margaret; his sons,
Vernon and Michael and daughter and son-in-law,
Karen and Peter Rutherford. He has five
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was
preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Bishop
Judkins; his father, Thomas Judkins; mother, Belle
(Jacobson) Judkins; stepmother, Hannah Judkins
and six of his twelve siblings. A military service
will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited to a memorial
service in Prosser, WA. Remembrances may be
made in his name to: Agape Hospice, 2980 N.
Swan Rd. Tucson, AZ 85712. Arrangements by
VISTOSO FUNERAL HOME.
Published in the Arizona Daily Star on Aug. 2,
2015
Burial information: Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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