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) Damon Lum - Class of 1978 , CS-07

Deceased on May 17, 2022 - Informed on May 24, 2022

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 28 Jun 2022 @1000 hours at the USAFA Cemetery Memorial Pavilion. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the following charities: Chondrosarcoma Research Foundation, 12504 Quarterhorse Dr, Bowie, MD 20720, donate online here <https://csfshayna.org/donate-to-chondrosarcoma-foundation>. Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, PO Box 414238, Boston, MA 02241-4238, (203) 229-0464, donate online here. <https://give.themmrf.org/give/278264/?_ga=2.100336221.236123827.1655134652-772496836.1655134652>

Mr. Michael Mangold - Class of 1978 , CS-34

Deceased on December 6, 2015 - Informed on December 7, 2015

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A memorial service will be held on 12 Dec 2015 at 1400 hours at Bamidbar Synagogue; 15347 6th St; Victorville, CA 92395. A second memorial service will be held on 3 Jan 2016 at 1330 hours at the Apple Valley Airport; 21600 Corwin Rd; Apple Valley, CA 92307 in Mike's Jet Hangar. If you will be attending the second service at the Airport, please RSVP to chalk2llc@yahoo.com. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Mike Mangold Aviation Scholarship Fund; The Lewis Center; Attn: Teresa Dowd; 17500 Mana Rd; Apple Valley, CA 92307. Please make checks payable to HD Partnership and put "Mike Mangold Aviation Scholarship Fund" on the memo line.

Maj (Ret) Thomas Mathews III - Class of 1978 , CS-25

Deceased on February 4, 2014 - Informed on May 2, 2014

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A celebration of life was held on 22 Feb 2014 in Charlottesville, VA. Burial was in Riverside Cemetery, Charlottesville, VA. The family has suggested that donations be made in lieu of flowers to the Central and Western Virginia Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association; 1160 Pepsi Pl, Ste 306; Charlottesville, VA 22901 (434) 973-6122, Ext 113 www.alz.org/cwva/in_my_community_donate.asp

Lt Col (Ret) Philip McBride - Class of 1978 , CS-14

Deceased on August 5, 2017 - Informed on August 14, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. The family will receive friends on 19 Aug 2017 from 1400-1500 at Carl J. Mowell and Sons funeral Home; 200 Robinson Rd; Peachtree City, GA 30269; (770) 487-3959; www.mowellfuneralhome.com. The funeral service will begin at 1500 in the Chapel of Mowell Funeral Home. His family has suggested that memorial donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Air Force Academy Fund; USAFA Endowment; 3116 Academy Dr, Suite 200; USAF Academy, CO 80840; (719) 472-0300; www.usafa.org/give.

Lt Col Mark McGeehan - Class of 1978 , CS-06

Deceased on June 24, 1994

Capt Carl Meyer - Class of 1978 , CS-37

Deceased on January 18, 1988

Mr. Paul Morell - Class of 1978 , CS-14

Deceased on October 4, 2009 - Informed on October 15, 2009

Please Contact the AOG for Condolence Information Funeral Service was held on 8 Oct 2009 At St Paul's Church In Hingham MA Burial: St Paul's Cemetery, Hingham MA Memorial donations: C.A.M.P.S.; 207 Blue Hills Pkwy; Milton MA 02186 or The Morell Children's Education Fund; C/O Citizen's Bank; 11 Fearing Rd; Hingham MA 02043

Capt Steve Nelson - Class of 1978 , CS-19

Deceased on January 2, 1986

Mr. Michael Nevin - Class of 1978 , CS-39

Deceased on June 4, 2006

Lt Col (Ret) Gerald Pellett - Class of 1978 , CS-16

Deceased on June 26, 2023 - Informed on September 25, 2023

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Service: 29 Sep 2023 at 1330 hours USAFA Cemetery. https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/arvada-co/gerald-pellett-11352810

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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