Charles "Gus" William Shackson

Gus was born in Columbus, Ohio on February 9th, 1942. He graduated from Westerville High School in 1960 and then went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Otterbein College. He then furthered his education at the University of Florida where he received a Master of Arts degree in Economics.

Gus married Capt. Carmel McElduff from Carrickmore, Ireland on June 16th, 1974 at RAF Lakenheath, England.

Gus was an esteemed Fighter Pilot who flew 417 Combat Missions in Southeast Asia flying the F-4. His 32 years of distinguished service took him to many positions around the world including several US Bases as well as Iceland, Canada, Korea, Japan and The Pentagon. In 1989 he was selected as Commander of 475th Air Base Wing in Yokota, Japan and it was in Osan, Korea where he began flying F-16’s.

With over 2900 hours of flying time some of Gus’s military awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross with six oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak clusters, Air Medal with 28 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross.

Gus was proud to be a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association. (“River Rats” as he would say). Also, he was a supporter of several philanthropic organizations including one dear to his heart, the Shackson Memorial Endowment fund in honor of his father Lee Shackson.

Gus also enjoyed playing golf, listening to music, and traveling.

Gus is survived by his wife Carmel, son Michael (Cortney) Shackson, daughter Katherine (David) Rhinehart, and four grandchildren Emma, Ellen, David, and Joseph.

A Mass will be held August 26th at 1pm St. Katharine Drexel Church in Cape Coral, Florida with Celebration of Life to follow at Coral Ridge Funeral Home. Burial at a later date will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.