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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Lt Col (Ret) Thomas McCloy - Class of 1968 , CS-01

Deceased on March 13, 2021 - Informed on March 16, 2021

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. A funeral service will be held on 22 Mar 2021 at 1300 hours at the USAFA Cemetery. In the event of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Memorial Pavilion.

Col (Ret) Thomas McNish - Class of 1964 , CS-12

Deceased on July 19, 2024 - Informed on July 29, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Celebration of Life: service will be held in San Antonio at a later date. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Mary E. McNish Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Fund at Emory University at https://together.emory.edu/McNish. Obituary: https://www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com/obituary/DrTom-McNishMDCOLretUSAF

Lt Col (Ret) Thomas Meier - Class of 1963 , CS-21

Deceased on August 3, 2013 - Informed on August 13, 2013

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Services were held on 10 Aug 2013 at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, OR. The family has suggested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Marion Polk Food Share; 1660 Salem Industrial Dr NE; Salem, OR 97301; (503) 581-3855 ext 310 www.marionpolkfoodshare.com.

Lt Col (Ret) Thomas Meyer - Class of 1968 , CS-23

Deceased on November 25, 2016 - Informed on December 16, 2016

Services were held at the time of his passing. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Mr. Charles Michalec - Class of 1988 , CS-26

Deceased on December 17, 2023 - Informed on January 31, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Funeral Mass: 1100 hours on 10 Jan 2024 at Saints Simon and Jude Cathedral, 6351 N 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017. Graveside to follow at 1230 hours at Greenwood Memory Lawn, 719 N 27th Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85009. Memorial donations: in lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Association of Graduates, 3116 Academy Drive, USAFA Academy, CO 80840-4475, https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1885/21/interior-2col.aspx?sid=1885&gid=2&pgid=418&cid=1063 or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?frequency_selected=0&dedication=1&sc_dcm=58700008005633531&sc_cid=kwp&sl=memorial-gift&ds_rl=1285465&ds_rl=1291300&ds_rl=1290690&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMImdif1tWIhAMVYzWtBh2IkgKfEAAYASABEgJal_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds Obituary: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/phoenix-az/charles-michalec-11593647

Brig Gen (Ret) Thomas Mikolajcik - Class of 1969 , CS-01

Deceased on April 17, 2010 - Informed on April 19, 2010

Please Contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation begins at 1700 hrs on 21 April 2010 at the McAllister-Smith Funeral Home Mt Pleasant Chapel, 1520 Rifle Range Rd. Mt Pleasant SC 29464. Memorial Service: 24 April 2010 at 1000 hrs at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist, 120 Broad St, Charleston SC 29401 Funeral service is pending at USAFA Memorial Donations: ALS Association South Carolina Chapter, PO Box 280, Charleston SC 29402 or Mepkin Abbey, 1098 Mepkin Abbey Rd, Monck's Corner SC 29461.

Col (Ret) Thomas Miller - Class of 1972 , CS-04

Deceased on February 10, 2024 - Informed on April 24, 2024

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. No further service information is available at this time. Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Air Force Academy Fund by using the following memorial link In Memory of Thomas Bennet Miller '72 <https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.afacademyfoundation.org%2FThomasMiller72&data=05%7C02%7Cterri.davis%40usafa.org%7C112e964bada2413f23b208dc63f6a89a%7Ce6421ec329ed4f09a13a96e310c5ba80%7C0%7C0%7C638495158258851753%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=YKkPgZg3lvSi6c4S710vHHwnhxMi%2F5VQSUZG8QTRJ5Y%3D&reserved=0>

Maj Thomas Mitchell - Class of 1963 , CS-13

Deceased on May 22, 1968

Mr. Leonard Morris - Class of 1967 , CS-10

Deceased on December 20, 2024 - Informed on January 6, 2025

Visitation: 1800 until 2000 hours on 9 January 2025 at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, 639 North Main St., Greenville, SC 29601. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 1830 hours. Funeral Mass: 1200 hours on 10 January 2025, at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 111 Hampton Ave., Greenville, SC 29601 Memorial donations: In lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Anthony Catholic School, 2536 Hoffmeyer Rd., Florence, SC 29501. Obituary: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/leonard-morris-obituary?id=57128868

Mr. Thomas Moses - Class of 1983 , CS-39

Deceased on August 4, 2014 - Informed on August 7, 2014

Please contact the Association of Graduates for condolence information. Visitation and Rosary will be held on 07 Aug 2014 at 1800hrs at the St. Brigid Catholic Church; 3400 Old Alabama Rd; Johns Creek, GA 30022 Funeral Services will be held on 08 Aug 2014 at 1100hrs at the St. Brigid Catholic Church; 3400 Old Alabama Rd; Johns Creek, GA 30022 The family has suggested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network; www.pancan.org/donate-now or The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Georgia; www.svdpatl.org/get-involved/giving-mall

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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