Capt. (Ret) Linwood Merle Baggett, 98, of Duluth, GA, died Wednesday, October 24, 2018. He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Marie Baggett. Survivors include daughter Lynn Schwartz (Ted Schwartz), sons Dennis Baggett (Sandy Baggett) and L.M. “Chip” Baggett Jr. (Sheryl Baggett), 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 1:00pm in the sanctuary of Johns Creek Baptist Church, 6910 McGinnis Ferry Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30005, with Visitation and Reception from 11:00am to 1:00pm in the Heritage Room.
“Captain Merle” was born in Carr, Florida on January 4, 1920 and grew up in nearby Quincy. A veteran WWII pilot, from 1942 until his discharge in 1945, he flew as a service pilot for the Army Air Corp Ferrying Command before being dispatched as a Captain to India to serve as a “Hump” pilot. After his release from service in late 1945, he returned to Quincy and married his beloved wife Marie in 1946. Later that year they moved to Atlanta where he flew with Delta Air Lines for 33 years, beginning with the DC-3 and retiring on the L-1011 on January 3, 1980. He was at home in the cockpit, a pilot’s pilot, and often marveled at how somebody would actually pay him to do the very thing he loved the most. At the time of his death he was the oldest living "originally hired by Delta" pilot.
Merle was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, as well as a very caring, thoughtful and generous soul. He will be greatly missed by family and friends alike.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to the Delta Retirees Assistance Program at 155 Westridge Parkway, Suite 220, McDonough, GA 30253 www.retireeap.org, or any Johns Creek Baptist Church Local Mission or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.hmpattersonarlington.com.
