In Memoriam

George G. Daylong, 67, of Columbus, formerly of Caldwell, Idaho, passed away of natural causes on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. George was the fourth of six children. He was born on Aug. 17, 1940, in Billings, to Katherine "Peggy" and George Grinstine, and later adopted by his stepfather Millard "Riley" Daylong. He attended Fratt Elementary School and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1958, where he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. Later on that same year, George joined the United States Air Force, making a career out of his military service. He attended military training at Lackland Air Force Base in Lackland, Texas.
During his military career, he served three tours in Vietnam, a tour in Okinawa, and at various installations in the United States. In 1960, he was stationed at Gratiot Lake Radar Station in the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) of Michigan, where he was a member of the 665th AC&W Squadron. It was during this time where he met and married the love of his life, Sharon Marie Hill, on Aug. 6, 1960, in Mohawk, Mich. While stationed in Mount Clemens, Mich., the first of four sons, Steven, was born in 1961. In the spring of 1963, they were stationed in Biloxi, Miss., where their second son, Jeffrey, was born. The military then sent George and the family to Charlevoix, Mich., where their third son, Eric, was born in 1964. They were then stationed in Port Lavaca, Texas where they welcomed a fourth son, Todd, in 1965. Following that installation, the family was stationed at Wilder Radar Base, where George was with the 1st Combat Evaluations Group and assisted with the final construction and upgrades for the radar station in 1966. The family made their home in Caldwell. Although they didn't realize it at the time, they were not yet complete. In 1971, a baby girl, Brandi, was born. George and his family were again stationed in Charlevoix for a few more years, finally returning home to Caldwell in 1977.
George retired as a Senior Master Sergeant from the United States Air Force in 1983. He and Sharon later divorced in 1985.
George fulfilled his dream of living out his retirement in the mountains of Montana. He established a homestead on 60 acres and spent his days farming, ranching and living in peace and harmony.
George is survived by his five children, Steven G. Daylong of Seattle, Jeffrey S. Daylong (Stephanie) of Emmett, Idaho, Eric D. Daylong (Kelly) of Seattle, Todd R. Daylong (Shelli) of Eagle, Idaho, and Brandi Jo Mayes (Christopher) of Kuna, Idaho. In addition to his children, he is survived by eight grandchildren, Amanda Daylong, Kayla Scanlon (Josh), Jacob Daylong, Tyler Daylong, Elizabeth Daylong, Tanner Daylong, Dayne Daylong and Brooklyn Daylong, and one great-grandson Kelan Stewart. George is also survived by his three sisters, Delores Yeager of Laurel, Maxine Nauman of Laurel, Rita Ness of Billings; one brother, Richard "Dick" Daylong of Pennsylvania; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George Grinstine, Riley and Peggy Daylong; and a sister, Danita (Jackie) Diedrich.
George was a loving person who was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone and who believed in the value and reward of hard work. He will be greatly missed and will forever live in our hearts and memories.

James R. McAlister (Jim), 69, of Jonesboro, Arkansas and Charlevoix, Michigan, went to be with his Lord November 9th, 2007 at Saint Bernard's Medical Center in Jonesboro. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on March22, 1938, the fourth child of the late James R. McAlister, Sr. and Anna Stein McAlister. The family moved to Marine City, Michigan in 1950 where he graduated from Marine City High School in 1956. He earned a Civil Engineering degree from Michigan Tech after which he was commissioned into the United States Air Force at James Connelly AFB in Waco, Texas.

While in Waco, he met Gloria Bradley of Jonesboro, who was attending Baylor University. They were married Sept. 24th, 1961 at Walnut Street Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Gloria Bradley McAlister, daughters: Kelly (Rabbi Aaron) Spiegel of Indianapolis, Indiana, Allison (Tyler) Burchyett of Hernando, Mississippi, and son Craig McAlister of Jonesboro. Five grandchildren: Hannah, Eli and Gabe Spiegel of Indianapolis and Barrett and Baylee Burchyett of Hernando. He is survived by two sisters: Patricia (Hank) Marwin of Troy, Michigan and Mary Lou (Mike) Moore of Grosse Pointe, Michigan; sister-in-law, Barbara (Edgar) Currier of Lakeland, Tennessee, and mother-in-law Helen Bradley, Jonesboro. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Anna McAlister, step-mother, Alma McAlister, sister, Betty Hill, brother, Bill McAlister, and father-inlaw, Doug Bradley.

Jim retired from the Air Force as a Lt. Col. in 1981. During his 21 year career, he served two tours during the Vietnam War, earning the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Metal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Metal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and several other medals and awards. He was a Command Navigator with over 4300 hours of flight time in the B-52 aircraft. In 1981, the family moved to Jonesboro where he served as a Senior Vice President of Citizens Bank. He also taught business classes at Williams Baptist College in Walnut Ridge. He was an active member of and past president of the University Heights Lions Club. He held membership in local service organizations including the Chamber of Commerce, the Retired Offi cers Assoc, the American Legion, and the Disabled American Veterans. A long time member of Walnut Street Baptist Church, he served as an Adult Sunday School teacher as well as a member of the Finance Committee and the Sanctuary Choir. The family moved to Fort Worth, Texas in 1988 where Jim was employed with General Dynamics as a Specialist in the Advanced Products Division.

He earned an M.A. in Operational Management from Central Michigan University in 1973, an MBA from Arkansas State University in 1988, professional degrees from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officer's School and the Stonier School of Banking in New Jersey.

There will be a Memorial Service to celebrate Jimʼs life on Tuesday, Nov.13 at 5:30 pm at Walnut Street Baptist Church, Jonesboro. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington D.C. A Memorial Service will be held at the Charlevoix Reformed Church in MI at a later date. Honorary Pall Bearers will be members of Ron Hatley's Sunday School Class and the University Heights Lions Club. Those wishing to leave a lasting memorial may choose the building fund at Walnut Street Baptist Church, 1910 Scenic Dr. Jonesboro, AR 72401, the Gideon's Bible Society, P. O. Box 4002 Jonesboro, AR 72403 or the charity of your choice.

Charles David “Dave” Farmer, age 51, of 1841 Moore Rd., Asheboro died Sunday, October 30, 2005 at his home.

Mr. Farmer was a native of Rochester, New York and an Air Force veteran. He was employed with A & D Environmental and attended Salem Church.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Cox Farmer, three daughters, Sarah Alison Farmer of Gastonia, NC, Julia Elizabeth Farmer of Asheboro, NC, Lindsey Catherine Farmer of Asheboro, NC; one son, Charles Ryan Farmer of Shaw AFB, SC; step son, Joshua Allen Hagan of Asheboro, NC; step daughter, Stephanie Asmuth of Belmont, NC; 2 step grandchildren; mother & step father, Daisy And Phillip Kern of Cherryville, NC; sister, Patricia Farmer Beckham of Cherryville, NC; and two brothers, Alan Kern of Cherryville, NC; Wade Kern of Cherryville, NC.

Just a little background on Dee Butler and his death. Dee was stationed at HQ ECRG (formerly CEVG) and he was my immediate supervisor. Dee had been on permissive TDY for Bootstrap at LA Tech university in Ruston, LA. During the time of his TDY, HQ ECRG was closing and the remaining functions were being transferred to the 99^th Range Support Sq at the Nellis Range Complex. Dee graduated from LA Tech with his electrical engineering degree. Through a loop-hole in paperwork, he was able to get out of the Air Force. He got out of the Air Force as a Tech Sgt with over 16 or so years in service. Dee was single and lived with his mother near Natchitoches, LA. He was out of the Air Force, HQ ECRG was merged out to Nellis, and he was pursuing his second career as an engineer. Dee was at a job fair at Ruston, LA (LA Tech Univ) and was on his way back home. He was driving back home on a rainy back road. A semi-tractor trailer was jacked-knifed on the rain slick road. Dee was rounding the corner and did not have enough time to stop. Reports said that he was killed instantly.

I am a former auto-tracker. I was stationed at Det 1, 1CEVG (La Junta, CO) from ‘83-86. And HQ ECRG (CEVG) from 90-until its closure in 95. I am presently a TSgt but have since cross-trained out of radar and now am in charge of the outpatient Mental Health clinic at Patrick AFB, FL.

Dee was could sometimes be difficult to work for, but I have never met anyone more dedicated to getting the job done. His death was untimely and unfortunate. Hope you can share this with those that inquire on TSgt Dee Butler’s death.

My name is Timothy R. Dotson, son of the late George J. Dotson. I would just like to let you know that I received your letter about the reunion and let you know that my dad would have loved to get together with all of you. However he passed away on Feb. 8, 1998 of cancer at his home here in Big Lake, Missouri. He is buried in the Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Kansas.

Thank you for the letter about the reunion, and for the many memories that I got to have about running around the Bayshore Radar Site. God bless you all. If you have any further questions about my dad or his service please email me at dreamweaver@msc.net .

My father, Ssgt. Bernard G. de l'Etoile, was one of the original members of the Bayshore facility when we moved from Ironwood, Michigan where it was prior to 1963. My father was with Det 6 until his retirement in Oct/Nov 1968. Whereby we moved from Charlevoix to Orlando,FL (we moved from Orlando to Ironwood, Michigan in 1962 when my dad was assigned to the RBS site). His death was Dec. 23, 1986 and he is buried in Bay Pines National Cemetary as a three war vet (see enclosed photo). My dad went to NKP AB, Thailand in 1967 and knew some of the folks at Lima Site 85 (I think a Det 6 guy died there). I would like to make contact with those who knew my dad and fill in the gaps of what he did and where he was in Thailand, exactly. Please contact me if you wish.

Much thanks,

Ray de l'Etoile
USAF SGT 1978-1982

Tim McArt passed away Sunday 6/13/2004 at 11:15. He was 84 and was suffering from Alzheimer's. His life had lost all quality in recent
years and it was a blessing for him to pass on.

Pat & Tom (Passehl)

Mrs McArt passed on 30 Jan 06 after a long brave battle with emphysema. She died with Patty and Betty Ann by her side.