John Pfalzgraf

John R. Pfalzgraf, 77, of Vienna, WV, died on July 17, 2017. John was a Colonel to some, a father to others, a best friend to many but described by all as a humble, kind, caring, gentle and a sharply dressed man.

John was born June 9, 1940 in Parkersburg, WV and was a 1958 graduate of Parkersburg HS. John graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from The University of South Carolina, while earning a varsity letter in Track and Field and a spot on the Gamecocks freshman basketball team. He was proud to call Sigma Nu Fraternity his brothers.

John served his country admirably from 1962 to 1994. He completed the United States Marine Corps Officer Basic School in Quantico, VA and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Following a tour as an Artillery Officer in Danang in the Republic of South Vietnam, John returned to the states and earned his aviator wings in 1966 from Naval Flight Training in Pensacola, Fla. From 1967-1968, he flew over 300 combat missions in the F-4 over both South and North Vietnam. From 1968-1970, John served as flight instructor with the Naval Air Advanced Training Command in Beeville, Texas. After resigning his regular commission with the U.S.M.C., John took a position with Mellon Bank, Pittsburgh, PA and remained active with the Air Force Reserve and Pennsylvania Air National Guard from 1971 to 1994. He served as both airlift and flight commander with the 911th Tactical Airlift Group and 112th Tactical Fighter Group.

His military decorations and awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, Air Medal with 26 Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with four Oak Clusters, and the National Defense Service Medal with one Bronze Star among many others. John was a command pilot with more than 4900 flying hours. Following his retirement in July 1994, he flew the B747 commercially.

John enjoyed his golden years golfing with his wife Toby at Parkersburg Country Club, preparing taxes, serving on the MOV Regional Airport Advisory Committee, attending church at St. Paul’s United Methodist, making morning Cafe Mocha trips and walking his prized dachsund, Maggie.

John is survived by his wife Toby Crofton Pfalzgraf of Vienna, WV, sister Janie Wilson of Atlanta, GA, daughters Andrea R. Pfalzgraf of Portland, OR and Alyssa Pfalzgraf of Williamstown, WV, nephews Jimmy Wilson and Curtis Mayo and niece Cindy Wilson, step-son William Deforest Thompson Jr. of Fort Myers, FL, step-daughter Caroline Thompson Delongchamps, Charleston, SC, and step-grandsons Jack, Charlie, and Sam of Charleston, SC.