TEDRICK, (LT COL, USAF, RET.), Thomas David

The Verde Independent, Cottonwood, Arizona, Thursday, January 17, 2013 Thomas David Tedrick 77, passed away at home in Cottonwood January 7, 2013, after a struggle with lung cancer. Tom was born in New Concord, Ohio, on November 5, 1935, and moved to Arizona in 1945. He had degrees in Economics from ASU and Electrical Engineering from Oklahoma State. Tom retired from the Air Force where he served as a pilot with 5500 hrs of flight time including aerial recovery; as an electrical engineer on the Atlas-Agena; and as chief of the Systems Command Reconnaissance Division. Tom was the Air Liaison Officer for the 1st Air Cavalry in Viet Nam with 220 combat missions, leading Forward Air Controllers in close air support and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and 8 Air Medals. He also worked as a hospital engineer in Virginia, as a manager at Boeing in Mesa, and then volunteered in the Peace Corps in Jamaica after his final retirement. Tom loved fly fishing, particularly in New Zealand and Alaska. He enjoyed rock hounding, looking for fossils, and exploring all over Arizona. Tom leaves his wife of 44 years, Ann, sons, David of Camp Verde, Steven (and wife Amy) of Sedona, grandsons, Ethan and Ari, and sister, Polly Betterton, of Mesa. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edith (Smock) and Damon, his sister Patricia Lara, brother Daniel, and daughter Teri. A private family memorial will take place at a later date. Information provided by survivors.