CMsgt. Stephen Paul Sullivan, USAF (ret)

Stephen Paul Sullivan, CMSgt., U.S. Air Force, retired, born 15 December 1918, died peacefully on Saturday, 30 June 2012. He was born in St. Louis, MO to Cornelius Stephen and Eleanor Klein Sullivan. At age 4 the family moved to Maplewood, MO. He graduated from Maplewood High School in 1936. He joined the Army Air Corps at Randolph Air Force Base on 5 January 1940, later changed to the Air Force. He served with distinction for 32 years, 10 months and 26 days in many parts of the world including Bulgaria (behind) the “Iron Curtain”, Greece, Germany, Brazil, Vietnam (in 1962 when no one knew we were there) and finally Tehran, Iran where he was maintenance advisor to the Iranian Air Force. While in Iran he got to meet the Shah and said, he was a wonderful person. He was assigned also to the U.S. Embassy Bureau of Intelligence in Iran. While at Brooks Air Force Base in 1940-1948 he served on aircraft utilized by the 4th Army Commanders L & G’s Walter Krueger, Courtney Hodges, William Simpson, and John P. Lucas. Chief Sullivan was Past President and Life Member of the NCOA, Life Member of Post 8541 V.F.W., the D.A.V. and Member of Windcrest Post #612 American Legion and Dean of the Hanger Doors at the Randolph enlisted club. He was also a member of the Resurrection Episcopal Church and co-host of the church Outreach Program known as the “Lunch Bunch”. He was also a member of the Charles Anderson Masonic Lodge #1413 and a member of the OX5 Aviation Pioneers. Chief Sullivan is survived by his wife of 20 years, Beverly J. Sullivan; daughters, Susan P. Neumann & husband, Paul, and Margaret L. James & husband, William T.; sister, Eleanor Benke; step-daughters, Cheryl L. Frazier & husband, Dan, and Carrie L. Itschner & husband, Charles; grandchildren, Margaret Dockendorf & husband, Mike, Michele Neumann, W. Terry James Jr., Nathan James, Allison Roberts, Catelin Itschner, and Christine L. Itschner; great-grandchildren, Randy J. & Ryan M. Dockendorf, Megan Neumann and Casey Alexandra Jacinto. Also nephews, Tom Benke & wife, Lecy, and David Benke & wife, Sandra; great-nephews, Robert & Alex; and great-nieces, Marissa & Amanda Benke. Visitation will take place from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Sunday, July 8, 2012 at Sunset Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Monday, July 9, 2012 at Resurrection Episcopal Church, 5909 Walzem Rd., with Rev. Christopher O. Cole and Fr. Paul Worley officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Resurrection Episcopal Church Children’s Center or Converse Animal Shelter. Condolences may be offered at www.sunsetfuneralhomesa.com.