Obituary of Joseph Paul Minton

Joseph Paul Minton Col. USAF (Retired) October 20, 1924 - April 29, 2016 Joseph Paul Minton, 91, of Potomac Falls, VA., died Friday, April 29, 2016 at Falcon's Landing retirement community. A hero to many and loved by all, Joe will be remembered for his eternal optimism, sharp wit, great wisdom, and friendly nature. He had traveled the world and lived an adventurous life, which he loved sharing through his many engaging stories. Born in Houston, TX to Joseph Marion and Stella (Fite) Minton, he grew up in an era when flight was daring and adventurous. Aviation fascinated him at an early age and he started working towards his private pilot's license at 14, finally soloing at 16. His passion was acknowledged by his parents, devout Baptists who gave him a pass on church services to spend every Sunday at the airfield. Despite his Mother's misgivings, he saw WWII as an opportunity to fly more than anyone could hope to in those Depression days, and he signed up immediately after high school. He was accepted for flight training in the USAAF Aviation Cadet Training Program, and graduated with Class 44B. He graduated with honors from advanced training in Martin B-26 medium bombers and was bound for Europe with the 8th Air Force when fate intervened and he received orders to transition to the C-46. He was assigned to the China-Burma-India theatre of war and flew 425 missions in close combat air support of British troops advancing up the Burma road against the Japanese. He was an 18-year-old hotshot pilot who lived to tell many fascinating stories about his wartime flying adventures. After the war, he enrolled in Purdue University's Aviation program and soon met the love of his life, Nancy Fettig, whom he married in 1948. They remained together for 67 years until Nancy's death in 2015, moved all over the world, and raised six children together. While at Purdue, he served as a flight instructor in P-51 and A-26 aircraft for the Indiana National Guard, and as an instructor for Purdue University's flight programs. The extra flight and instrument time helped him literally talk his way back into active duty in the USAAF after graduation, in a time when all military programs were being drastically reduced. He subsequently spent a total of 20 years in the USAF, always on flight status. He was a B-47 command pilot with the 380th Bombardment Wing during the worst of the Cold War and earned rapid promotion from Major to full Colonel within three years, finally serving as a staff officer in the Pentagon while still flying everything he could get his hands on. In 1967 he received an offer to become the President of Purdue Airlines from his mentor during his school days at Purdue. As much as he loved being an Air Force officer, he accepted the offer and moved the family to West Lafayette, IN. He rebuilt himself as an airline executive and served in that capacity for a Singapore national carrier and for British Caledonian. The family moved with him to Hawaii, Singapore and then to Northern Virginia. He wrapped up a successful aviation career as Executive Director, Aviation for the National Safety Council. He and Nancy retired to Reston, Virginia and, except for a few years in St. Pete Beach, FL, remained in Reston, with a second home in the Shenandoah Valley, for the rest of their lives. They devoted their lives to helping others and to their ever expanding family. They were active in Habitat for Humanity and many other charitable endeavors and never failed to sponsor annual extended family gatherings. Joe is predeceased by his wife Nancy, his second daughter Jean, and by his second son, John. He is survived by Joan, Michael, Mary Beth, and Diane, 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. There will be a Memorial Mass at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Herndon, Va. (750 Peachtree Street Herndon, Va.) on Friday, May 20, 2016 at 11:30 AM. The Mass will be followed by an interment at the Chestnut Grove Cemetery in Herndon (831 Dranesville Road, Herndon, Va.) for both Joe and Nancy, who will be interred together, with full military honors. Adams Green Funeral Home (www.adamsgreen.com) will be handling the arrangements. The interment will be followed immediately by a reception at Falcon's Landing Retirement Community in Potomac Falls, Va. until 4PM. This event will be a celebration of Joe and Nancy's lives, as well as a remembrance of their daughter Jean and son John. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the charity of your choice in his remembrance. He loved to help make things better for those who may not have been blessed with the many gifts he was so grateful to have received in life. Please remember Joseph Paul Minton when you see a particularly beautiful sky, and especially if you hear a P-51 roaring through the middle of it.