John S Plantikow

John was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to John W Plantikow and Emmy Dragoun on June 9th, 1947. He graduated from University of Hawaii in 1969 and after graduation he began his 20 year career as a pilot in the United States Air Force, stationed at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, Plattsburgh Air Force Base, New York and Merced Air Force Base, California. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War where he flew the B52 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Pistol Ribbon, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Combat Readiness Medal, the Air Force Longevity Service Award, the National Defense Outstanding Unit Award, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired as a Lt Colonel flying his beloved FB-111s and among his numerous merits and accolades, one of John’s proudest achievements is to be the only pilot to have 3000+ flying that aircraft. Following his military service, he worked for a number of years as a Corporate Pilot for Sunoco based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before hanging up his helmet and devoting his full time to his other “job,” of golf in the Tampa, Florida area.

John is preceded in death by his father, John W, his mother, Emmy, his sister, Susan, O’Dell, his son, Bertram, and his wife, Regina.

John is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Ferrera, his stepsons, Sean Paul and Ryan Paul and wife, Leslie, his sister, Nancy Smith, his grandchildren Mitchell & Gracie Ferrera, his domestic partner, Deana Banks and many other relatives and close friends.

Burial and military honors will be held at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida on Friday August 23rd, 2024 at 1:30pm. A memorial service will follow at Southport Springs Golf & Country Club at 5:00pm. Arrangements have been made by Gonzalez Funeral Home.

The family of John wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the team of Doctors and Nurses at Moffitt Cancer Center for the treatment of his Lymphoma, as well as, the ICU team at Advent Health whom helped him through his final days.