John Santry

John W. Santry, 88, of Waco, passed away December 22, 2010. His family will receive friends and family starting at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, followed by a memorial service at 4 p.m. at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard.

Lt. Col. "Ace" Santry was born in Ennis, Texas, on January 12, 1922. After high school he attended a Ft. Worth flight school established by ex-World War I pilots. He completed his training and was told to report to the Army Air Corp recruitment office in Dallas the following Monday --that Monday was December 8, 1941. After receiving his wings, Lt. Santry was assigned to the British Royal Air Force in North Africa. His military career highlights are as follows: 1942 - Aviation Cadet - Class 42J at Kelly AFB, Texas; commissioned 2nd Lieutenant Foster Field, Texas; 1943 - 1944 - 66th Fighter Squadron, 57th Fighter Group, North Africa, Sicily, Italy - Fighter Pilot, Squadron Commanding Officer, 124 missions, P-40, P-47; Distinguished Flight Commander, Flying Cross, Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters; commissioned 1st Lieutenant 1943, commissioned Captain 1944; 1945 Army Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas; 1946 commisisoned Major, left active duty; 1949 recalled and assigned to 516th Fighter Squadron, 86th Fighter Group in Neubiburg, Germany; 1950 Armament & Electronics School in Lowry AFB, Colorado; 1950 308th Fighter Squadron, 315th Fighter Wing, Director of Operations, Squadron Commanding Officer, Turner AFB Georgia; 1956 Air Command & Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Alabama; 1957 10th Fighter B Squadron, 50th Fighter Group Operations Officer, Squadron Commanding Officer, Toul Air Base, France; 1958 Inspector General Office, USAFE, Staff Officer, Lindsey, Germany; 1960 Duty Officer, Headquarters 12th Air Force, Staff Officer, Waco, Texas; 1963 commissioned Lieutenant Colonel; October 1964 Retired

Upon completion of his tour of duty in Europe, Capt. Santry was a test pilot for Lockheed in Burbank, California and for Republic Aviation in Evansville, Indiana. He was the last surviving test pilot from the 1942 - 1945 era at Republic.

After retiring from the Air Force, Lt. Col. Santry moved to Austin and while in Civil Service was assigned to 12th Air Force Headquarters as a program analyst for Logistics and Plans. When he retired from Civil Service he was awarded the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award.

Lt. Col. Santry was a life-long Baylor supporter, especially their football program and women's basketball program. He was a member of the Baylor Bear Foundation and among several honors he received was being named the 2008 Baylor Fan of the Year.

He is survived by his children, Nancy Holifield, Linda Duncan and husband Larry Duncan, and Billy Santry; his grandchildren Kelly Coussons, Adam Cooper, Jason Duncan, Jill Kuykendall, Jenny Duncan, and Jonathan Santry; and his great grandchildren, Conner Coussons, and Zane and Ambree Kuykendall. Special thanks to Dr. James Graham. Memorials may be sent to Waco Humane Society.

John Santry loved his family, his country, Baylor University, his friends, and banana pudding. He will be missed by many.