Linda Darlene Kosses

Linda was born in Elmira NY, she joined the US Air Force and was stationed at Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, March AFB California, Charleston AFB South Carolina, Incirlik AB Turkey, Sembach AB Germany, Beale AFB California, Shaw AFB South Carolina. Linda served the Air Force with distinction and continued to work with the military after her retirement in 1998 by accepting a position with the US Civil Service at CENTCOM, MacDill AFB. She retired from Civil Service in 2012. She met Benjamin Kosses while they were both stationed at Incirlik AB in Turkey in 1984. They were wed in Germany in 1986 with their daughters (Buffy and Debra) in attendance.

Linda, the youngest of 5 children, is predeceased by her brothers Kenneth Hill, Clifford “Skip” Hill, her sister, Virginia Hill, and her parents Basil and Nellie Hill (Black).

Linda is survived by her loving and devoted husband of nearly 30 years, Benjamin Kosses, her daughters Buffy Heslin (James) of Valrico FL, Debra Kosses-Miller (Jonathan) of Brandon FL, her brother William Hill (Mary) of Pine City NY, her sister Jean Reep of Corning NY, her brother-in-law Al Kosses (Michelle) of Arizona, her nephews Mark Hill of Elmira NY and Scott Hill (Katie) of Amsterdam, Netherlands. She also has many cousins, nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and nephews in the states of Florida, New York, Louisiana and Pennsylvania. She is also survived by her step-children, Sherry Colleary (Patrick), grandson Evan Alvarez, Eric Kosses (Becky), grandsons Jordan and Mason, as well as her granddaughters Brittney Kosses and Hanna Kosses.

A viewing is scheduled on Sunday, January 31st from 2-5pm at Blount & Curry Funeral Home on S MacDill Ave in Tampa FL. In lieu of flowers please donate to the sponsorship established in Linda’s name at Big Cat Rescue in Tampa FL. Donations can be made at the following website established for Linda: https://salsa4.salsalabs.com/o/51389/p/salsa/donation/common/public/?donate_page_KEY=10618

Linda and her family were able to see and experience the various cultures of the world during their military life. She was a dedicated working mother who balanced her life and time between her duties and responsibilities to the US Air Force, her husband and her daughters. The family visited most of Europe and several other countries, as well as traveling by car during their permanent change of station from Turkey to Germany, which is one of the family’s fondest memories. She steadfastly supported her daughters in their careers, education and other endeavors. She was enjoying her retirement with her husband by traveling, investigating the family tree and spending time with her dog and cat, as well as her daughters and their husbands. Linda attended her daughter’s (Debra) wedding in Key West in November where the family enjoyed several days of celebrating. She was a mentor and surrogate mother to many, lending guidance to all who she worked with and befriended over the years. Linda has many friends throughout the United States and in other Countries who mourn the loss of a lifelong friendship. Linda was an avid Lightning fan and attended every game last season. She was an active supporter of the American Cancer Society, and participated in the Making Strides event every year for her daughter, Debra, a 20-year breast cancer survivor. Linda’s fondest wish was to support the animals at Big Cat Rescue and a donation sponsorship has been established in her name.