Carl loved his God, his Country and his Family. He pursed his love of flying through the opportunities in the Army Air Corps, and served his Country during their time of need. Carl was a World War II fighter pilot, flying P-38’s in the Pacific Theater. He retired as a full bird Colonel, and during his time in the Army Air Corps and United States Air Force, Carl was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic - Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal and the Armed Forces Reserve Medal.
Carl was a graduate of Clemson University, class of 1940, located in Clemson, SC. While attending there, he met his wife of 68 years of marriage, Josephine (Patty) Planck of Spartanburg, SC. Carl and Patty lived in Dayton, OH for 20 years, before moving to Melbourne, FL in 1964. After moving to Melbourne, Carl was employed by NASA, and worked on the Mercury, the Gemini, the Apollo, and Space Shuttle missions.
Carl is survived by: his oldest daughter Lynne (Werner) Pofandt, his youngest daughter Debra Planck all of Lexington, VA; his granddaughter Kelly (Steve) Wagner and great-grandchildren, Raylan and Ava Wagner of Rainesville, AL and his granddaughter Jessica (Luke) Fisher and great-grandchildren, Joanna, Josiah, Julia, and Jordan Fisher of Natural Bridge, VA.
Carl was a devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather, and enjoyed time spent with family. He was very active in his community: a member of two Parent Teacher Associations, a Boy Scout Leader in Dayton, OH, a Deacon and Elder at Palmdale Presbyterian Church in Melbourne, FL. Carl studied and became a 33rd Degree Mason and is a Past Worshipful Master of Harbor City Lodge Number 318, a member of the Scottish Rite, a member of the Shriners and their Marching Clown Brigade, a mentor and supporter of the Eau Gallie Chapter Number 83, Rainbow for Girls. Carl was also a very generous donor to several charities.
Carl loved meeting people and never met a stranger. He loved telling stories, telling jokes, he loved life and enjoyed traveling with his family. Carl touched many lives, including those he recently met at Kendal in Lexington, Va. He will be greatly missed. We love you Dad to the moon and back.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, 2022 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 40 Village Way, Lexington, VA.
Following the visitation, a funeral service with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. at the church with Pastor Justin Clement officiating. A private entombment will be held at Florida Memorial Gardens, Rockledge, FL.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, the Rockbridge Area Relief Association or the Alzheimer’s Research Fund.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes of Stuarts Draft.
Relatives and friends may share condolences and memories with the family online by visiting www.reynoldshamrickfuneralhomes.com
