Major General Frank J. Simokaitis, of Viera Florida, passed away Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the age of 90. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, he attended Washington University, and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from St. Louis University School of Law. He began active military duty in March 1942 as an aviation cadet at Stamford Texas and graduated with his pilot wings and commission as a second lieutenant. Serving with the 9th Air Force during WWII, he flew 27 combat missions. Subsequently, he served in a series of Air Force operations, special investigative, legal, planning, administrative and staff posts including that of Executive Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force in 1969. . In 1973, he was promoted to Major General and was named Commandant of the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio, where he served until his retirement from the Air Force in 1978. General Simokaitis then accepted the position of Director of DOD Affairs at NASA, in which he served until 1985.
His many decorations include the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Air Medal, the Order of Daedalians’ General Muir S. Fairchild Educational Achievement Award, and St. Louis University Alumni Merit Award.
He is survived by his wife Mary Jane (Feeny) of Philadelphia PA. They had three children: Frank (deceased), daughters Peggy (George) Walley, Mary (Tom )Dickerson, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Also survived by his siblings Helen, Maryann (Rich) Retkowski, Charles Simokaitis and wife Patricia, Anthony Simokaitis and wife Judy, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was prededed in death by three brothers Joseph, Bill and John.
There will be a viewing at 9 AM followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:00 on Monday, January 14, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Burial with full military honors at Arlington Cemetery TBA.
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