Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Funeral Set For F-16 Pilot



The body of an F-16 pilot killed during a training mission in Utah will return home to Western North Carolina this week.

The family of Candler, N.C., native Capt. George-Bryan Houghton will hold visitation Friday night and funeral services Saturday.

The captain’s father, George Houghton, said phone calls have been pouring in from his son's unit at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and from people across the country who knew him.

“Anybody he had ever come in contact with, and even people who just heard about him, loved him,” Houghton said. “With his gentle heart and his sense of humor and love of life, everybody appreciated him.”

Houghton died June 22 when his F-16 crashed during a training flight over the Utah Test and Training Range. He would have turned 29 on July 4.

“He believed what he was doing was right for his country and himself and his family,” the father said.

The captain was one of three brothers in his family who felt the call to fly. His younger brother, Mark-Daniel, was injured two years ago after a helicopter crash in Afghanistan, where he was an Air Force rescuer for downed pilots. The family's third son, Patrick, is a cadet at the Air Force Academy.

Houghton's body will arrive in Charlotte, N.C., on Thursday night with an Air Force escort before traveling to Groce Funeral Home in Asheville.

Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Friday at Trinity Baptist Church, 216 Shelburne Road, Asheville.

Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, with a contingent from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina providing a rifle salute, Bugle taps, a flag presentation and a fly-over above the church parking lot.

A private burial will follow.


By Josh Boatwright - Asheville Citizen-Times
Posted : Tuesday Jul 7, 2009 11:39:12 EDT

12 comments:

Superstar said...

I just hate to hear about those F-16 crashes in training...I mean it just chaps my hide.

Thoughts and prayers...

Coffeypot said...

He looks so young to be a Captain and pilot.

Unknown said...

superstar..it is so very sad. My oldest son serves at Hill AFB, difficult time for all. Thank you for stopping by.

Unknown said...

coffeypot...29 years old is so very young! May God Bless him and comfort his family.

Lori ann said...

Dear Airman Mom,

I came over to say Thank you for your very kind words to me. And after coming here, I've forgotten about all that. My heart feels heavy. You seem like a very compassionte person, God Bless you.

love,
lori

imbeingheldhostage said...

:-( This breaks my heart.

Unknown said...

lori ann...I thank you!!!!

Unknown said...

ibhh..so very sad!

Chris said...

We in Utah are accutely aware of this tragedy, and of the great service rendered to our state and our nation by the brave men of the Air Force.

My prayers are with the family of Captain Houghton.

MightyMom said...

sigh. god bless

Unknown said...

mightymom...so young, so sad!

Unknown said...

chris...I thank you for stopping by. My son (stationed at Hill AFB) shared your feelings, it has to be so very difficult!