Lt Col Thomas R. Emmett, Jr USAF (ret)

Lt Col. Thomas R. Emmett, Jr. USAF (ret.), died peacefully on Christmas Day in his home. Born in Argyle, IA on October 19, 1939, to Thomas R. Emmett, Sr. and Mary Garretson-Emmett.Tom served in the Air Force and Colorado Air National Guard from 1959 to 1980. As a pilot flying the F-100 in the 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron, Tom flew over 300 combat missions in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Amazed that an Iowa farm boy could be paid to fly airplanes, he continued his services in the Colorado Air National Guard (Buckley AFB) and as a pilot for United Air Lines. Following a career of 34 years, he retired in 1999, captain, 747-400.Tom was an avid trap shooter, hunter, gun enthusiast and along with his wife, Marie, raised and raced horses. He was a member of the Berthoud Gun Club, American Legion Post #67, and the Super Sabre Society.He was preceded in death by his parents, and sisters Dorothy Borger and Francis Craige. Tom is survived by his wife, Marie of 47 years, daughter Tracy (David) Bowers, son Thomas Emmett III (Nathaniel Brown) and daughter, Melissa Emmett. He is also survived by his siblings Clara (Leroy) Schiller, Mary Margaret (Jerry) Swinderman, John (Cheryl) Emmett and Jamie (Sandy) Emmett. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, December 30, 2014, beginning at 11:00 AM at Ahlberg Funeral Chapel. Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his honor to TRU Community Care, 2594 Trailridge Dr. East, Lafayette, CO. 80026, or the Wounded Warrior Project. Visit www.ahlbergfuneralchapel.com to share condolences.