Gone But Not Forgotten

Honoring fallen comrades is an important part of the AOG mission and we ask to be notified as soon as possible of the death of any graduate, Air Training Officer or cadet so that we can take appropriate actions. The AOG has learned of the following deaths within the past 90 days.

For best results, try searching by Last Name (e.g. Smith), Class Year (e.g. 1959), or Cadet Squadron (e.g. CS-01). More complex searches may not return desired results.

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Maj (Ret) Lin Riley - Class of 1976 , CS-30

Deceased on August 7, 2023 - Informed on September 12, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No further information is available.

Lt Col (Ret) Enrique Saa - Class of 1976 , CS-09

Deceased on September 5, 2022 - Informed on September 6, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services: 1 Oct 2022 at 1100 hours Celebration of Life Rock City Church, 5833 4th St, Lubbock, TX 79416 Obituary: Lake Ridge Chapel & Memorial Designers, memorialdesigners.net In lieu of flowers: USAFA Wrestling Program, C/O Air Force Academy Foundation, 3116 Academy Dr, USAFA, CO 80840, online at afacademyfoundation.org. Tunnel to Towers Initiative, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306, online at https://t2t.org/donate/

Lt Col (Ret) Thomas Sawner III - Class of 1976 , CS-06

Deceased on July 11, 2010 - Informed on July 20, 2010

Please contact the Association of Gradautes for condolence information. Memorial Service will be held on 26 July 2010 at 1100 hrs at the Clarendon United Methodist Church; 606 N Irving St; Arlington VA 22201 Memorial donations may be made to the Educational Options Foundation; Thomas Sawner Memorial; 3440 N Fairfax Dr; Arlington VA 22201 www.edoptions.com

Mr. Floyd Sawyer , Jr. - Class of 1976 , CS-39

Deceased on October 25, 2006 - Informed on December 3, 2010

No further information is available.

Mr. Mark Shanks - Class of 1976 , CS-15

Deceased on October 16, 2017 - Informed on May 4, 2023

Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/tigard-or/mark-shanks-7603439 No further information is available.

Lt Col (Ret) James Shanley , Jr. - Class of 1976 , CS-38

Deceased on September 11, 2015 - Informed on September 17, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 18 Sept 2015 at 1600 hours at the Bethel Manor Chapel; 1793 1st Ave; Hampton, VA 23665. The family has suggested that donations in lieu of flowers be made to Catholic Relief Services; Attn: Syrian Refugee Relief; PO Box 17090; Baltimore, MD 21297-0303 (877) 435-7277 www.crs.org.

Mr. Jeffrey Short - Class of 1976 , CS-17

Deceased on March 20, 1976 - Informed on March 20, 1976

Mr. Timothy Sims - Class of 1976 , CS-21

Deceased on February 8, 2012 - Informed on January 19, 2016

No condolence information is available. Graveside service was held on 11 Feb 2012 at Llano City Cemetery in Amarillo, TX

Mr. Todd Spangler - Class of 1976 , CS-37

Deceased on November 8, 1986

Mr. James Spendley - Class of 1976 , CS-35

Deceased on April 16, 1985

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Next of Kin

For Next of Kin support resources please visit: https://www.usafanextofkin.org/

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten annual publication

The Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation has introduced a new benefit to better memorialize USAFA graduates and support their families.

Gone But Not Forgotten, which appeared in Checkpoints magazine for decades, has transitioned to a dedicated, annual publication. The inaugural edition of Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten published in March 2025.

A: As the Academy’s graduate population ages, Checkpoints has become increasingly insufficient in accommodating the growing number of submitted memorial articles.
A: The new Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten publication honors the Long Blue Line by sharing the personal stories of graduates, cadets, Air Training Officers and AOG Honorary Members. It reflects our mission to support the Academy, serve graduates and preserve the heritage of the institution and Long Blue Line.
A: We considered several cost-effective, impactful options and consulted with our peers at the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Naval Academy. West Point’s TAPS publication provided an excellent model for this new publication.
A: One complimentary copy is provided to a loved one of the deceased memorialized in the publication. Additional printed copies are available for a nominal fee of $25 each. The digital version is available at no cost to all AOG members.
A: AOG members can access the digital issue at usafa.org. If you are not a member but wish to join and access this benefit and others, membership is available at no cost to all USAFA graduates here.
A: Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten is available for $25 here or by calling 719-472-0300. The fee supports providing one complimentary copy to families of those memorialized.
A: See below:
A: Past memorial articles printed in Checkpoints are available as a commemorative keepsake for $15 each. These keepsakes include the photo that ran with the tribute and are printed on sturdy paper, suitable for framing. Articles come enclosed in a blue linen folder and can be ordered here or by calling 719-472-0300. Commemorative keepsake orders will ship or be available for pickup within two weeks of the order date.
A: See below:
A: A major benefit of transitioning to an annual publication is that 2025 memorial articles may run up to 800 words — double the current limit. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Email a recent favorite photo of the deceased. The photo (head and shoulders, color preferred) should be emailed as a high-resolution .jpg. Low-resolution image submissions may be declined in favor of a cadet yearbook photo.
A: Submit a memorial article and photo through a form at usafanextofkin.org or email deceasednotifications@usafa.org.
A: One of the major benefits of transitioning to a dedicated, annual publication is that memorial articles can now be up to 800 words. In the 2026 Here’s A Toast: Gone But Not Forgotten memorial publication — which will include deaths in 2025 — each article will be presented on its own full page.
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 should be emailed when ready to ensure the Association and Foundation can post the tribute on usafa.org/heritage/gbnf.
A: The last issue memorial articles appeared in Checkpoints was in December 2024, but death notices will continue to be published in Checkpoints.
A: Death notices will be printed in each issue of Checkpoints.
A: See below:
A: Memorial articles for deaths in 2025 will be printed around March 2026.
A: Call 719-472-0300 or email Terri Davis, next-of-kin support specialist, at deceasednotifications@usafa.org.

Gone But Not Forgotten