LTC Archie Y. Damron USAF (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Archie Y. Damron, USAF, Ret. passed away on June 12, 2010. Colonel Damron, son of Arch McKinley Damron and Verda Rains Damron, was born in Pharr, TX on October 24, 1921. During WWII, he served with the 58th Bomb Wing in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations. Later this unit moved to Tinian, Mariana Islands, in the Pacific Theater where in July of 1945, he completed the required number of missions. Among decorations awarded him were the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf cluster and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters. Colonel Damron is survived by his daughter, Donna Damron Payne (Robert Charles), West Monroe, LA; 3 grandchildren: Robert Charles Payne, Jr., Andrew Beck Payne (Jodi), and Laurie Devone Payne, all of West Monroe, LA; 4 great-grandchildren: Elizabeth Grace Payne, Gracen Hope Payne, Addelyn Faith Payne and Kendall Beck Ford; sister, Mildred Hearn and sister-in-law, Esther Damron, San Marcos; 3 nieces: Denise Bindel (Larry), San Marcos, Heather Rathnau (Ron), Missouri City and Marla Tews (Vince); 3 nephews: Jack Craig Damron (Debbie), Rio Hondo, Brian Hearn (Beverly), Fort Worth and Scott Hearn (Kathy), Mableton, GA; numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. Colonel Damron was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Mertie Love Damron, 2 brothers: Oslin and Jack Damron, sister and brother-in-law, Col. & Mrs. George W. Burt, III (Lois), brother-in-law, Claude A. Hearn, Jr. and nephew, Allen Wayne Damron. A graveside Service with Full Military Honors will be held on Friday, June 18, 2010 AT 11:45A.M. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The Rev. Andrew Beck Payne, Colonel Damron’s grandson, will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, those desiring may make contributions to: Family Church of West Monroe Youth Ministry, 320 Laird Street, West Monroe, LA 71291.

Arrangements under the direction of Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.