GREG
January 22, 1934-January 18, 2020
Son of Christine Landes and John Francis Hosterman of Tulsa, OK and Huntsville, TX.
Brother of Barbara Hosterman Clark of Sarasota, FL
Husband of 60 years to Sue Ayers McCurdy Hosterman of San Antonio, TX.
Greg was born in San Angelo but grew up in Tulsa, graduating from Central High School, Class of 1952. He graduated from Oklahoma University in 1957, majoring in Aeronautical Engineering and serving as Cadet Commander in ROTC. He was a member of SAE Fraternity and the Lead in their winning Barbershop Quartet. Commissioned in February of 1957, Greg was called to Active Duty in July, 1957, reporting for Officer’s Preflight to Lackland AFB, TX. His flight instruction occurred at Bainbridge, Ga and Laredo, TX where he received his wings. Advanced gunnery and fighter bomber proficiency training in the F-100 followed at Luke AFB, Arizona and Nellis AFB, Nevada with Survival Camp at Stead AF, Nev.
In the winter of 1959 Greg received orders to Toul Rossier, France to the 50 Tactical Fighter Wing which was in the process of moving to Hahn, Germany. Greg reported to Wheelus AFB in August for additional training where he qualified to fly his own plane- 2938- when the Wing returned in Dec. 1959 to Flugplatz Hahn.
Greg met Sue in 1957 in San Antonio at First Presbyterian as she was beginning her college career at Agnes Scott College in Decatur Ga. When he received orders to Europe, they married on June 13, 1959 so she could accompany him as his wife. Because of the impending move of the Wing, Sue’s orders were canceled and she returned to school. Once the Wing was relocated to Hahn, Sue was then able to join her husband for his 3 year tour. The friends and experiences from that time remain the most decisive and precious of all the years that have ensued.
After a brief break in his service career when he worked in New Orleans on the Boeing Saturn Booster Rocket, Greg returned to active duty as a captain in the new F-4 Wing coming to Davis -Monthan in the spring of 1964. Two sons joined the family there in Tucson, AZ before Greg was ordered to combat duty out of Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam. He earned an early return by flying 90 missions over North Viet Nam. He also earned several Air Medals, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, and a commendation from The South Vietnamese Government.
Upon his return to the States, Greg and his family moved directly to Homestead Air Force Base at the tip of Florida where Greg served as a flying instructor and also an academic instructor. August of 1966 brought a move to Shaw Field in Sumter, S.C. to be the Aide de Camp to the Commanding General of 9th Air Force. In rapid order came the birth of a third son and then a cross-country move to Nellis AFB back in Nevada, now in the F-111. The Squadron was quickly deployed for a 6 month TDY in Takli,Thailand, a temporary duty that suddenly turned into a year of combat missions once again. Stateside return was to Canon AFB in Clovis NM. and Wing Safety Officer for Gen. Robbie Risner, ranking former POW from the Hanoi Hilton.
Major Hosterman retired as a command pilot, and highly decorated regular officer in December 1978. The family with now 4 sons returned to Tulsa, the “biggest little small town in Oklahoma” where they resided for the next 23 years. When the children had grown up and married or left home, Sue and Greg decided to go back to Texas to the Hill Country just north of San Antonio. They lived on Lake Buchanan near Burnet and Marble Falls for 16 fruitful years in the land of bluebonnets “where the deer and the antelope play.”
Medical conditions spurred a final move to Dallas where Maj. Hosterman died on the early morning of January 18, 2020, just as the skies were clearing for take-off.
Hosterman is survived by his wife Sue and sons John Gregory, Clayton McCurdy, Gregory Ayers, Benjamin Landes, and “summer son” Ed Goode. Also by his daughters-in-law Geri Strueby, Andrea Callaway, Wendy Stamile, Ashleigh Cooper, and Dawn Freeman. Grandchildren are Courtney Landis, Abigail Anne, John Christopher, Jessica Porterfield. Claire Elizabeth, Katherine Lee, Ian McCurdy, Noel Gregory, Shane Richard, Hayden Landes, Haylie Michelle, and Landes Cooper Hosterman.
Greg was a Deacon and also an Elder in the Presbyterian Church and always a Bass voice in the choir. He served variously as Scoutmaster, Volunteer Fireman, Lions Club, member, and President of the Cassie Community Association. Greg loved anything with wheels from his scooter to his Harley. He was a motorcycle enthusiast, a private pilot, an avid boater and sailor. He loved camping and canoeing, fixing breakfast on the Buffalo River, making waffles and his own syrup for family reunions, and teaching his sons the things a man should know. He was loved by his friends, especially his B Flight brothers from Hahn who were his dearest comrades. And Greg loved all creatures great and small from childhood pets to the many dogs and cats who have been our companions throughout his long and blessed life.
“For God’s mercies shall endure/ Ever faithful, ever sure!”
Services for Greg will be held Friday January 24, 2020 at 11:00 am at Burnet Presbyterian Church; interment will follow at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park.
Care has been entrusted to Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Burnet.
Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxburnet.com
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