MAJ Gerald F. Meehan, USAF (Ret), former WWII Pilot passed away October 4, 2018. Born on March 2, 1921 in South Shields, England, to James Michael and Katherine Meehan, he immigrated with his mother and siblings to unite with his father in Boston, Massachusetts in 1929. He graduated from Boston Commerce High School as Class Valedictorian and Co-Captain of the Football Team.
In high school, his love of flying took him to Wiggins Airport where Ruth Hamilton became his first Flight Instructor. By age of 16 he had soloed and received his Pilot License. He subsequently graduated from the new Flight Program at Northeastern University.
He joined the Army Air Corps, in 1942, was ordered to the Central Flight Instructor School at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, graduated as Flight Instructor and ordered to Primary Air Corps Cadets Training at Garner Field, Uvalde Texas. As Flight Officer, he graduated classes of Aviation Cadets, he re-certified former Prisoners of War returning them to Flying Status and flew C47 radar installation resupply missions in Alaska.
After his career as an Aviator, Gerald returned to duty with the USAF as an NCO in Aviation Logistics rising to the rank of Chief Master Sargent when he retired in 1966. Still committed to serving the USAF, he entered US Civil Service at Kelly Air Force Base as a Maintenance Officer on his beloved B-52s.
It was destiny to meet his love Robbie Lee Hart, a Military Finance Auditor at Boca Raton, Florida. They married on October 26, 1947. She followed him, paying troops and resolving pay issues all over the world. She was truly A Perfect Military Wife and loving companion for over 64 years.
Gerald was active at St Luke’s Catholic Church Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Military Officers Association of America, the American Legion Alamo Post 336, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, Chapter Alamo #6 Internal Order Alhambra Bejar #56, Past Grand Knight Council 10240.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents James Michael and Katherine Meehan, son Charles Michael Meehan, brothers John and James, sisters Kathleen, Veronica and Betty, and his beloved wife and companion Robbie.
Gerald is survived by his loving son Thomas and wife Ann, grandchildren Michele, Kenneth and Mallory, nieces and nephew Kathy Olson and John Meehan and wife Pam, Charlene Neidermayer and Linda McKenzie and husband Curt, several great nieces and nephews and loving friends.
The Family would like to thank the staff at the South Texas VA Hospital especially the CLC and GEM clinic.
Funeral Mass will be at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 4603 Manitou Road, San Antonio, Tx. 78228, at 10:00am, October 23, 2018, with burial following at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Family Requests in lieu of Flowers that Donations Be Made to Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center at 424 N. River Street, Seguin, TX 78155.
