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Retired Col. James C. Posgate Jr., 83, of Kerrville, Texas, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023.
Jim (affectionately known as Pos) was born in Victoria, Texas, to James C. Posgate and Bernice Ridout Posgate on July 2, 1939. He grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Newman High School in l957. As a child, he spent most of his summers in Luling Texas, where his grandparents resided. He enjoyed the small-town environment that provided the memories he would always cherish. At age 16, he began working on oil rigs during the summer and continued that summer occupation throughout high school and college.
He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962, and in 1963, he joined the U.S. Air Force. After Officer Training School, Undergraduate Pilot Training and advanced training in the F-4, his squadron was deployed to Vietnam in the spring of 1965. He would end up serving 2 tours in Vietnam, flying 392 combat missions, logging 3,600 flying hours in fighter aircraft and holding various command positions during his 24 years in the Air Force. His numerous decorations included the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 27 Air Medals.
In 1971, Jim was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB Ohio, where he was actively involved in the F-15 “Eagle” development and testing. In 1974 he qualified as one of the first F-15 pilots and in 1976 was assigned to Luke AFB Arizona as a project pilot for the follow-on operational testing and evaluation of the aircraft and its weapons and support systems. His next assignment was to Nellis AFB Nevada, where he served as an instructor pilot and squadron operations officer developing the first F-15 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course. He completed his tour at Nellis as Commander of the 422nd Fighter Squadron. It was there he met his future wife, Barbara, a civilian working for the Air Force. They were married Nov. 17, 1979, and would enjoy a full life of adventures for the next 44 years.
Jim and Barbara began their married life with his assignment to the Caribbean Command, Atlantic Command, Key West, Florida, where he served as Chief, Joint Air Operations. The Command played a key role in maintaining air and naval defenses during Fidel Castro’s huge “Mariel boatlift” from Cuba across the Florida Straits to Key West.
In 1984, they proceeded to Eielson AFB, Alaska where he held the positions of Deputy Commander for Operations and Vice Wing Commander of the 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing before retiring in 1987.
After retirement, Jim continued his adventurous nature with a life of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing and other sports. He was an avid fly fisherman and spent countless happy hours on “The Arroyo” in the Rio Grande Valley, fishing with his friend John Kautsch. A skilled craftsman, he took on many home-improvement projects over the years. One of his greatest pleasures was the companionship of J.R. and Rozzi, his much-loved terriers, who preceded him in death.
Jim served faithfully as an usher at St Peter’s Episcopal Church until his illness prevented him from attending. He was an active member of the Quiet Birdmen and relished the camaraderie of his fellow Birdmen in the Kerrville Hangar. He was also a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association and the Men of World Wars.
He was most proud of his Air Force service and will be remembered by his family and friends as a true patriot who served his country well. A life indeed well-lived and well-loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Posgate Sr. and Bernice Posgate.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Keith Henson (Yumi); brother, Louis (Carla), Driftwood; sister, Laurie Plant (Phillip), Corpus Christi; grandson, James Henson; nieces, Natalie Webster, Dallas, Emily Sewell, Boulder, CO; nephew, Phillip Plant Jr., San Antonio; and cousin, Phyllis Hojel of Mexico City.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Bert Baetz officiating.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Segio Oi, Dr. Michael Melucci, Dr. Fred Speck, Peterson Health Care, Peterson Hospice, Mindy, Sam and Martha. A very special thanks to Greg, Physical Therapist, who came with a smile on his face and always left Jim with a smile on his face.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kerrville Pets Alive or military organizations of choice.
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air ....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor ever eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee Jr.
Jim (affectionately known as Pos) was born in Victoria, Texas, to James C. Posgate and Bernice Ridout Posgate on July 2, 1939. He grew up in New Orleans and graduated from Newman High School in l957. As a child, he spent most of his summers in Luling Texas, where his grandparents resided. He enjoyed the small-town environment that provided the memories he would always cherish. At age 16, he began working on oil rigs during the summer and continued that summer occupation throughout high school and college.
He graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1962, and in 1963, he joined the U.S. Air Force. After Officer Training School, Undergraduate Pilot Training and advanced training in the F-4, his squadron was deployed to Vietnam in the spring of 1965. He would end up serving 2 tours in Vietnam, flying 392 combat missions, logging 3,600 flying hours in fighter aircraft and holding various command positions during his 24 years in the Air Force. His numerous decorations included the Legion of Merit, three Distinguished Flying Crosses and 27 Air Medals.
In 1971, Jim was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB Ohio, where he was actively involved in the F-15 “Eagle” development and testing. In 1974 he qualified as one of the first F-15 pilots and in 1976 was assigned to Luke AFB Arizona as a project pilot for the follow-on operational testing and evaluation of the aircraft and its weapons and support systems. His next assignment was to Nellis AFB Nevada, where he served as an instructor pilot and squadron operations officer developing the first F-15 Fighter Weapons Instructor Course. He completed his tour at Nellis as Commander of the 422nd Fighter Squadron. It was there he met his future wife, Barbara, a civilian working for the Air Force. They were married Nov. 17, 1979, and would enjoy a full life of adventures for the next 44 years.
Jim and Barbara began their married life with his assignment to the Caribbean Command, Atlantic Command, Key West, Florida, where he served as Chief, Joint Air Operations. The Command played a key role in maintaining air and naval defenses during Fidel Castro’s huge “Mariel boatlift” from Cuba across the Florida Straits to Key West.
In 1984, they proceeded to Eielson AFB, Alaska where he held the positions of Deputy Commander for Operations and Vice Wing Commander of the 343rd Tactical Fighter Wing before retiring in 1987.
After retirement, Jim continued his adventurous nature with a life of outdoor activities, including hunting, fishing and other sports. He was an avid fly fisherman and spent countless happy hours on “The Arroyo” in the Rio Grande Valley, fishing with his friend John Kautsch. A skilled craftsman, he took on many home-improvement projects over the years. One of his greatest pleasures was the companionship of J.R. and Rozzi, his much-loved terriers, who preceded him in death.
Jim served faithfully as an usher at St Peter’s Episcopal Church until his illness prevented him from attending. He was an active member of the Quiet Birdmen and relished the camaraderie of his fellow Birdmen in the Kerrville Hangar. He was also a member of the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association and the Men of World Wars.
He was most proud of his Air Force service and will be remembered by his family and friends as a true patriot who served his country well. A life indeed well-lived and well-loved.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Posgate Sr. and Bernice Posgate.
He is survived by his wife, Barbara; son, Keith Henson (Yumi); brother, Louis (Carla), Driftwood; sister, Laurie Plant (Phillip), Corpus Christi; grandson, James Henson; nieces, Natalie Webster, Dallas, Emily Sewell, Boulder, CO; nephew, Phillip Plant Jr., San Antonio; and cousin, Phyllis Hojel of Mexico City.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2023, at St Peter’s Episcopal Church, with the Rev. Bert Baetz officiating.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Dr. Segio Oi, Dr. Michael Melucci, Dr. Fred Speck, Peterson Health Care, Peterson Hospice, Mindy, Sam and Martha. A very special thanks to Greg, Physical Therapist, who came with a smile on his face and always left Jim with a smile on his face.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Kerrville Pets Alive or military organizations of choice.
HIGH FLIGHT
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds,—and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of—wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air ....
Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor ever eagle flew—
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee Jr.