GAGE, Jimmie J.

Jimmie J. Gage, M/SGT USAF/ Air National Guard, Retired, taught as a Science Teacher, PE & was a Bus Driver (0 accidents) at Riverside Elementary School for 36 years, Born in Midland, Texas in 1926 to James O. Gage & Thelma I. Castleberry. Jim is survived by his wife, Ella Carlena Gage (married for 47-1/2 years); cousin, Georgie Zieglowsky of Cleveland, OK; children, Sherry E. Kabel-Fine, James E. Wilber, Jr., Shelley I. Benton, Linda K. Wilber, John M. Gage, 12 grandchildren & 6 great grandchildren. In 1957/59 he twice won the Frank Luke, Jr. Trophy & Hubner Award for Most Outstanding Non-Com with the Air National Guard of Arizona. Retired from Az Air National Guard & active duty in the Air Force after 32 years. Was a waist gunner in a B-17 during WWII. Flew Air Evac during Vietnam brought back wounded from Vietnam. Graduated 1950 from Az State College (ASU), ran track on a 4 year scholarship from Long Beach City College in California. He belonged to the American Legion Unit #29 in Glendale, B.P.O.E. Elks Lodge #2729, L.O.O.M. Moose Lodge #2243, Eagles Lodge, D.A.V. Az #20 (Life Member), V.F.W. #1433, Voture 35 of 40/8 (Chairman of soliciting funds for Nurse's Training). He was Chairman for 3 years for Dist. #11 Picnic (American Legion). Funeral Service will be held at Best Funeral Home at 9380 W. Peoria Ave. on Dec. 5, 2003 at 10 AM. Burial will be at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phx. Donations are requested to Hospice of the Valley. Published in the Arizona Republic from 11/30/2003 - 12/4/2003.