More detail on this person: Lawrence J. Lisonbee December 14, 1928 - November 13, 2008 It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Lawrence Jackson Lisonbee. Lawrence "Larry" passed away peacefully on the 13th day of November, after a long illness. Larry was born in Roosevelt, Utah where he attended both elementary and high schools. After graduating from high school in 1946, he moved to Salt Lake City where gained employment with a variety of jobs including automobile mechanic, service station attendant, taxi driver, truck driver, and road construction. Larry was drafted into the United States Army on November 21, 1950. He took his basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He remained there as a training cadet until February 1952. Larry was shipped to Korea to serve in the Korean War. In Korea, he received wounds suffered during battle and required hospitalization in Japan. He returned to the United States in June of 1953 and discharged with the rank of master sergeant in August of 1953. He then moved back to Salt Lake City where he was unable to gain employment and moved to Libby, Montana where he met and married Francis Marion Derry in November 1953. He also reenlisted into the Army retaining his former rank that same month. He was transferred to Moscow, Idaho where he served as an advisor to the United States Army Reserve. In March 1956, he transferred to Fort Rucker, Alabama and attended helicopter pilot training. He was appointed warrant officer on October 26th, 1956. He received further training in Fort Sill Oklahoma for one year before being shipped to Germany and stationed for three years. He returned from Germany in October 1960 and was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He attended fixed wing pilot training in Fort Rucker, Alabama from November 1961 to March 1962. He was sent to Fort Hood Texas and became the personal pilot for Commanding General Hayes of the First Armored Division. At this time, he participated in the Cuban blockade. Larry was appointed as presidential service pilot and flew for both Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy. He spent one year back in Korea from 1963 to 1964. After returning from San Antonio, Texas, he was assigned as full time pilot for President Lyndon B. Johnson until December 1967. Chief Warrant Officer Lisonbee went to Vietnam and served as pilot for the commanding officer of the 16th Aviation Group and Served as safety officer for the 14th Aviation Division. During this time, he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for saving downed pilots under fire during conflict near the landing zone LOLO. He also earned the Bronze Star for his service. Returning from Vietnam, he attended advance Warrant Officer training in Fort Rucker Alabama. He graduated as CWO W4 in June 1972. CWO Lisonbee was then transferred to Colorado Springs, Colorado and served until retirement on August 31, 1974. During his retirement, he enjoyed collecting coins and refurbishing vintage cars. He traveled in his motor home and visited both family and friends until settling in Lompoc in 2003. Burial will be at Riverside National Cemetery on December 1, 2008 at 11:30 a.m. with full military honors. Private family memorial services will be held in Lompoc following the service. The family has asked that we all remember to support our troops and veterans that have fought and served to keep us free and safe. Survivors include sisters, Valora Bernice Bloom of Corvalis, Oregon, June Wallace of Seattle, Washington, and Colleen Thayn of Wellington, Utah; brother, Keith Ray Lisonbee of Green River, Wyoming; former wife, Frances Tolles of Lompoc; sons, James Whiting of Arizona, Wayne Lisonbee of Washington; daughter, Karen Curtis of Lompoc, and his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents Roy Ray Lisonbee and Bernice Mable Lisonbee; brothers, Calvin Roy Lisonbee, Dwayne Edward Lisonbee and Earl Alva Lisonbee; and sisters Lorraine Gurniea Duncan and Arlene Taylor. Cremation arrangements are in the care of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary.
Burial information: Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, CA
This information was last updated 03/05/2019
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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