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 Thomas Clark - Class of 1963 , CS-11

Deceased on February 8, 1969 - Informed on October 31, 2011

Capt Clark was buried on 22 Oct 2011 in St Mary's, PA , 42 years after he went missing during a combat mission in Vietnam.

Mr. Thomas Claypool - Class of 1980 , CS-32

Deceased on October 9, 2017 - Informed on October 19, 2017

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Capt Claypool graduated from CS-32. He was inurned in Calvary Catholic Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL. His family has suggested that memorial donations be made in lieu of flowers to Meals on Wheels of Tampa; 550 W Hillsborough Way; Tampa FL 33603; (813) 238-8410; www.mowtampa.org.

Capt Thomas Daffron - Class of 1965 , CS-22

Deceased on February 18, 1970

Col (Ret) Thomas Darner - Class of 1975 , CS-23

Deceased on July 19, 2024 - Informed on September 4, 2024

Please contact the Assocation of Graduates for condolence information. Burial service: Burial will be held at a later date at the Arlington Nation Cemetery, Arlington, VA. Obituary: https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/plantation-fl/thomas-darner-11907237

Mr. Thomas Dellafiora - Class of 1967 , CS-20

Deceased on May 12, 1994

Col Thomas Derrickson II - Class of 1959 , CS-08

Deceased on October 12, 1967

Ms. Christine Dettmer - Class of 1984 , CS-36

Deceased on June 23, 2019 - Informed on June 25, 2019

Please contact the Association of Gaduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held on 26 Jun 2019 from 1100-1300 hours at Dobbling Funeral Home; 106 S Fort Thomas Ave; Fort Thomas, KY 41075; (859) 441-1730; www.dmefuneral.com. A mass of Christian Burial will follow at 1330 hours at St. Therese Church; 11 Temple Place; Southgate, KY 41071; (859) 441-1654. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Southgate, KY. Her family has suggested that memorial donations be made to the Humane Society of Northern Kentucky; PO Box 369; Union, KY 41091

Col (Ret) Thomas Distelhorst - Class of 1970 , CS-11

Deceased on June 17, 2005

1st Lt Thomas Doyle - Class of 1985 , CS-12

Deceased on March 31, 1988

Lt Col (Ret) Thomas Draper - Class of 1968 , CS-17

Deceased on September 28, 2010 - Informed on September 30, 2010

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation will be held on 2 October 2010 from 1600-1800 at the Kahler-Dolce Mortuary; 441 N Washington St; Papillion, NE 68046. A Memorial Service will immediately follow at 1800 hrs. A Graveside service will be held on 14 Mar 2011 at 1400 hrs at the USAFA Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made in Col Draper's name to the Nebraska Humane Society; 8929 Fort St; Omaha, NE 68134 (402) 444-7800 www.nehumanesociety.org

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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