Col (Ret USAF) Paul L. Park

Col (Ret USAF) Paul L. Park, age 92, passed away peacefully at his Colorado Springs home surrounded by his wife and family on October 15, 2010. Paul and his family first moved to Colorado Springs in 1959. Paul was born in Seminole County Oklahoma on September 27, 1918 to Leonard and Ona Park. In 1936 Paul graduated from Noble High School in Noble, OK. He attended Oklahoma University and East Central State University.

In 1941 he married his high school sweetheart, Nona Rhea Price. Paul was sworn into the Army Air Corps in April 1942. In 1943 he was assigned to the 446th Bomb Group in Bungay, England as a B-24 aircraft commander. His bomber group was one of the earliest in the war to complete daylight missions. Paul went on to complete 30 missions flying an aircraft named for his wife, the Nona Rhea. In 1947 Paul was recalled to active duty and in 1950 he entered the Korean War as a MASH helicopter pilot. In 1951 Paul was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry as a result of a helicopter rescue of two downed pilots behind enemy lines. In 1952 Paul was assigned to Air Rescue in Sculthorpe, England. Paul flew numerous rescue missions but none more harrowing than in November 1954 when Paul was the commander of the air sea rescue of the South Goodwin Lightship crew which was stranded in the Dover Channel in the midst of a hurricane force storm. After completing his assignment in Air Rescue Paul and his family (wife Nona and three small children) moved back stateside where Paul continued his military and flying career. In 1962 Paul became program manager for the joint FAA/USAF program for developing and implementing a common radar system for use in Air Defense and in the Automatic Air Traffic Control Systems that form the basis for the air traffic control system used at airports today. Over the next several years Paul held several commands including Sembach, Germany and Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

In 1971, for the third time, Paul served his country during wartime. During the Vietnam War he assumed command of the 505th Tactical Control Group headquartered in Saigon. Upon his return from Vietnam Paul received his final orders that included retirement in his beloved Colorado Springs. After retiring from the military, Paul began a career as a Real Estate Appraiser that lasted over two decades. Two of Paul’s sons joined him at Park and Associates, Inc which is still owned and operated by his son Bill. Paul was an avid outdoorsman.

He loved to hunt and fish. Paul was a decorated war veteran and hero. He was proud of his accomplishments in the military and private business but nothing compared to his pride and love for God, his country, and his family.

Paul was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Zachary Park and Doug Parrish. Paul is survived by his loving wife Nona; children Joel Park, Bakersfield, CA, Linda Anderson, Colorado Springs, CO, Bill Park, Colorado Springs, CO, Jim Park, Arlington, VA and his sister Betty Sweet of Santa Maria, CA. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be Monday, October 18 from 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Swan Law Funeral Directors. The service will be held at 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 19 at Vista Grande Baptist Church, 5680 Stetson Hills Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80917, followed by graveside services with full military honors at Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 3825 Airport Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80916.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Evercare Hospice, 5450 Tech Center Drive, #120 Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Arrangements under the direction of Swan-Law Funeral Directors, Colorado Springs, CO.