More detail on this person: Kenneth Wayne Massengale Kenneth Wayne Massengale Daily Leader, The (Brookhaven, MS) - Saturday, April 16, 2016 Funeral Services for Kenneth Wayne Massengale, 68, of Brandon, will be Saturday, April 16, 2016, at Sebrell Funeral Home, 425 Northpark Dr, Ridgeland, at 12 p.m. Mr. Massengale died on April 7, 2016 surrounded by his family. Ken was born on June 26, 1947 in Hattiesburg to Mary G. White Massengale and Kenneth R. Massengale. He has a sister, Trudy (Kenneth) Ratcliff of Texas, a brother, Dennis Massengale of Texas, and a sister, Patti Massengale. Kenny graduated from Brookhaven High School in 1966 and attended Ole Miss. He was drafted into the Army and served his country proudly in Vietnam as a CWO2 helicopter pilot. He flew all of his life and was employed by B&S Air, Inc in Lumpkin GA on March 1, 1997, as acting chief pilot. Ken was in on ground zero of the company's incorporation. Ken's expertise at his craft and his way of connecting with customers made him invaluable to B&S's operations. His 19 years of input and dedication contributed to much of the growth and success of B&S, and he will truly be missed by his co-workers and peers. He enjoyed flying, his four grandchildren, spending time with his family, fast older model sports cars, racing remote control cars and shooting guns. He was a member of National Rifle Association, The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, and the Mississippi Agricultural Aviation Association. Ken was honest to a fault, fearless, committed and very loyal to his family and friends. Chief Warrant Officer Ken Massengale served his country proudly and honorably as a helicopter pilot in the United States Army. Ken's service included a tour in Vietnam where he valiantly served as a combat helicopter pilot progressing from pilot to aircraft commander to instructor pilot. While in Vietnam, Ken flew over 1,000 hours of combat time with the 128thAssault Helicopter Company, 11th Combat Aviation Battalion, 12th Group, 1st Aviation Brigade at Phu Loi Army Airfield, III Corp. Ken's Combat Awards include the Bronze Star, multiple awards of the Air Medal, the Army Commendation medal, Vietnam Service Ribbon, two Overseas Bars and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm Device. After return from overseas, Ken attended the Department of Army Methods of Instruction Course at Ft. Rucker, Alabama, to become an Instructor Pilot while serving at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. His last active duty assignment was with the 25th Infantry Division, Tropic Lightening, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. He married Linda Blackburn Bruno of Milton, Florida in 1979 at the Ross Barnett Reservoir in Brandon. Survivors are his wife Linda Massengale of Brandon; his daughters Lisa Bruno Davis (Billy) of Gulf Breeze, Florida, and Jennifer Bruno Stites (John) of West Monroe, Louisiana; sister, Trudy Ratcliff (Kenneth) of Van Alstyne, Texas; brother Dennis Massengale of Hideaway, Texas; nephew, Christopher Ratcliff of Houston, Texas; niece, Tammy Reiter of McKinney, Texas; four grandchildren Gavin and Gracie Davis of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Natalie and Chance Stites of West Monroe, Louisiana; and cousins and other relatives.
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Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
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