Fouts, Joe Cabot

Joe Cabot Fouts, Lt. Colonel USAF (Retired)
February 27, 1934 – January 05, 2016

Retired Lt. Col. Joe Cabot Fouts, U.S. Air Force, 81, died on Jan. 5, 2016, in Anchorage, Alaska, at Alaska Regional Hospital.

A memorial service with full military honors and reception will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10, 2016, at Janssen’s Evergreen Memorial Chapel.

Lt. Col. Fouts was born on Feb. 27, 1934, in Lakeland, Fla.

He was commissioned a U.S. Air Force officer through ROTC at the University of Florida in 1956. He flew C-97 and C-133 transports world-wide, from 1957 to 1963, from Travis Air Force Base, Calif. From 1963 to 1966, he was stationed in Torrejon Air Base, Madrid, Spain, directing flights throughout Europe and North Africa. From 1966 to 1969, he was a ROTC instructor at the University of Florida. He transition to helicopters from fixed wing in 1969, and was assigned to the 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (Jolly Green) in Udorn, Thailand. In 1971, he transferred to the 5040th Helicopter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base and became squadron commander in 1973. In 1975, he was assigned to the 381st Strategic Missile Wing at McConnell Air Force Base near Wichita, Kan.

He retired from the Air Force in 1979, and returned to Anchorage to pursue his passion of flying, hunting and fishing. He worked for the Municipality of Anchorage, serving as Executive Assistant to Mayor George Sullivan, Executive Manager of Enterprise Activities and 15 years as Merrill Field Airport Manager. He retired in 1995.

He was a member of the U.S. Air Force Helicopter Pilot Association, the United Flying Octogenarians, the Order of Daedalians and OX5, a world-wide aviation organization. He logged his 10,000th flight hour in the summer of 2014 in the C-185 he owned for 30 years. He especially enjoyed taking friends and family flying and visiting the cabin he built near the Alaska Range. He will be remembered by all who knew him for his generosity. He often said, “Life is too short not to be kind”.

Lt. Col. Fouts is survived by his wife of 62 years, Evelyn; son, Mark; and daughter, Susan; daughter-in-law, Melissa; and grandchildren, Matthew and Madeline. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to a charity of your choice.

~ GUEST BOOK ~

February 02, 2016
Evelyn, as I told you before it will take some time for me to get used to living in a world without Joe in it. He was my TAC officer at Keesler in 1967. A wonderful, wonderful man.
~
Rodger Curnow

January 30, 2016
Evelyn, Jim and I were so terribly sorry to hear of Joe’s passing. Jim was especially distraught as he considered Joe to be one of his finest friends ever since high school. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and cared for him.

I just heard. Lt. Col. Fouts was my TAC Officer while I completed the Summer Session for AFROTC in 1967 at Keesler AFB Mississippi. Ironically I went back there this past July and couldn’t believe the changes. I am glad that I had been able to renew my contact with Joe and had promised to send him the photos I had. May he rest in peace. My prayers for the family.

Vincent Maligno PhD, Staten Island, New York

January 20, 2016
I got the news late, but I just want to let you know how Joe’s life and my life ran together in the world of aviation, he and I worked together in Wichita, KS. Joe come by to visit me several times while I worked for the FAA, he will be missed. God bless you and family.

George Lee, Abilene, Texas

January 18, 2016
As you know it is a shock hearing about Joe. He was one of the finest gentlemen that I served with in the Air Force. Ted Jr will always remember that Joe gave him his first plane ride and planted the bug for him to be a pilot. Stay strong the best to the family.

TED Brown, Bossier City, Louisiana

January 17, 2016
It was an honor and pleasure when I played chess with this great Super Jolly Green pilot whenever TDy at Ubon and we were with the 40ARRS Udorn 70/71 – I was a PJ. God bless his soul!

Udo Fischer, Alamogordo, New Mexico

January 14, 2016
Dear Evelyn & family, We were sad to hear of Joe’s death; however, we appreciate you taking the time to share Joe’s final hours and details surrounding his accidental fall on icy driveway. May he RIP and you remain in our thoughts & prayers. I still vividly recall our high school and college days at U of Fla. My wife Geneva remembers Joe as their paperboy when she was single, living at home on Griffin Rd. Joe would knock on their door Saturday mornings to collect for Ledger deliveries. I can still visualize Joe driving to school in his green WW2 surplus “Jeep”. Joe was one of a kind and a respected friend. We will miss Joe along with his family and many friends. Take care Evelyn. Eddie Wooten, Apopka, FL

Edwin Wooten, Apopka, FL

January 11, 2016
Evelyn, Susan and Mark: We were shocked to hear of Joe’s accident and subsequent passing. He was one of our favorite friends of all time and we feel blessed to have been a friend of yours and his. He will truly be missed and we will definitely miss all of the interesting emails that he sent about his love of flying and the military.

Tom Hipsher, Anchorage, Alaska

January 10, 2016
My family is very grateful to have known Mr. Fouts and his entire family. I know my dad considered him one of his best friends, a friendship which began as tablemates in pilot training in the Air Force. I have great memories during my high school and college years when you allowed us to spend Spring Break at the game trophy adorned condo in Breckenridge. When Angela and I arrived in Anchorage for my C-130 assignment to Elmendorf, it was wonderful to have good friends “family” there to help us start to plant roots. We always enjoyed the times we were able to join you for wonderful Alaskan meals of salmon, halibut, and other treats. Thanks for your friendship! Mr. Fouts will be greatly missed!

Jeff Finch, Roscoe, Illinois

January 10, 2016
So very sad to hear of Joe’s passing. Thoughts and prayers to the family. RIP

Roma Glisson, Bradenton, Florida

January 10, 2016
Our deepest condolences to you family on the passing Of Col Fouts. I had the honor and privilege of serving with Joe in the 40th ARRSq in Thailand and with the 5040th HES in Alaska. He will be greatly missed. SMSgt Stan Nelson USAF Retired.

Stan Nelson, Matthews, North Carolina

January 10, 2016
Evelyn and Family, I was saddened to hear of Joe’s passing. He was always warm and gracious when we encountered you folks at Lake Denali. I recall a wonderful New Year’s Eve party in which we skied down with our cabin guests to enjoy goodwill and cheer with you and yours. May you find comfort in knowing that Joe left a legacy of knowledge and safety in the Alaskan and worldwide pilot community. Sincerely, April Cook

April Cook

January 10, 2016
Over the Christmas holidays we shared fond memories of the wonderful time our family spent in Alaska with the Fouts. Evelyn, the two of you could not have been more welcoming or caring. Joe will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Fout’s family. The Mallory Family

Barbara Mallory, Barrie, Ontario

January 10, 2016
Evelyn, thank you for letting me know about my friend’s passing. He was kinda like a brother to me giving me advice and his thoughts. My prayers for your peace….and Mark and Susan…your dad was the best of the best………Marty (McConnell AFB and Derby KS)

MARTY SEELEY COBURN, Wichita, Kansas

January 09, 2016
Dear friend Evelyn and family– we’ve got your message today and we cannot say how sad we are. We’ve lost a real good friend and we never will forget the time we can share together — think very often back to our tour to SALZBURG and DRESDEN ….. We`ll write a letter to you today…. Love you …… Your German friends, Marianne and Erich!

Marianne and Erich Schuett, Mittenwald / Germany

January 09, 2016
Evelyn, my deepest condolences to you and your family in this time of loss. RIP Col Fouts

Byron Sansom, Homer, Alaska

January 09, 2016
In my early years Joe was my mentor. He had a huge, positive, effect on my life. He was one of the finest men I have met in a long lifetime.

Don Kaminski,
Fairfield Glade, Tennessee

January 09, 2016
I was shocked and greatly saddened when I heard of Joe’s passing. He stopped by for a visit last August on his trip back from Florida. My heartfelt condolences to Evelyn and his family. Godspeed, Joe.

Kyron Hall,
Great Falls, Montana

January 09, 2016
I’m proud to say I had the privilege to fly with you in Alaska. My god bless you and your family.

SMSgt. Albert Crabtree, Georgia

January 09, 2016
Dear Evelyn and family, We are so saddened to hear of Joe’s death. We have many fond memories of our times with you in Alaska!! He was a wonderful “flight seeing” pilot, and a great tour guide when we cruised in Alaska. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers.
~
Nancy, Bruce, and Jeff Mueller, Talbott, TN, Tennessee

January 09, 2016
Col. Fouts was my Commander when I served as a CH-3E Flight Engineer with the 5040th Helicopter Squadron at Elmendorf AFB, AK in the early 70’s. He was an excellent Commander, Officer and Pilot and it was an honor for me to have served under his command and to have flown many missions with him. God rest his soul and may God comfort and protect Evelyn and the Fouts family. Slow Hand Salute…
~
James (Jim) W. Burns, SMSgt. USAF (retired), Navarre, FL.

January 09, 2016
Evelyn, Bill and I are praying for peace and comfort for you and the family. We are so glad that we were able to see you two at the helicopter reunion at Charleston. We have fond memories of you in Wichita Falls and later when we arrived at Elmendorf.
~
Bill and Marion deVries, Albuquerque,, New Mexico

January 09, 2016
I am blessed to have met and laughed with you. Thank you!
~
Jean Starling, Golden, Colorado

January 08, 2016
Dear Evelyn and family. It is with great sadness and a sense of loss that I received the news of Joe’s passing. I feel so fortunate to have had the privilege of his friendship and enjoying great times together whether flying in his plane, enjoying a snow machine ride, or sharing good times together at each of our cabins in what we both called Gods country. His positive approach to life was commendable and inspirational to all the lives he touched. He truly lived life to the fullest and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Blue skies Joe
~
Bruce, Kathleen & McKenna Erb, Scottsdale, Arizona

January 08, 2016
Dear friend Joe…We will miss those evening dinners and leisure visiting times with you, Evelyn and other friends. We will truly miss you. Your telephone visits, E-mails (oh, those methods of communication) We will miss you.
~
Wiley & Maryann Brooks, Anchorage

January 08, 2016
He was Joe to most people but he was my cousin Cab to me. He was certainly a very kind and gentle man and will be missed by all his family. My thoughts are with you Evelyn.

January 08, 2016
Thank you Joe for the honor and privilege of being called your friend. Evelyn, our dear, dear friend, you are in our hearts as they beat broken in our chests today. You know what Joe meant to us. So many memories of the four of us traveling the world together, the laughs and great food at your dinner table, the treks to your cabin in Joe’s beloved Alaskan wilderness continue to flood our thoughts today. Thank you Joe for being our cheerleader, we love you and miss you beyond words.
~
Jim and Audrey Schefers, Battle Ground, Washington

January 08, 2016
I am so sad and sorry to learn of the loss of my High School classmate and friend. I remember when he had a paper route and received a new car at graduation. He accomplished great things and will be missed.

After a great
day fishing with
Joe and Stan

PLACE CURSOR ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

January 08, 2016
It was an honor and a privilege to have known Joe and be counted as a friend.
~
Will Gay, Anchorage, Alaska

January 08, 2016
I loved my chance encounters with Joe; always seemed to last an hour and always brightened my day. Now I regret that I waited for chance to spend time with Joe, such a kind delightful soul.
I will treasure the memories of a decade of working together at the City. I will try never to forget the many things I learned by simply watching his calm, confident way of bringing wisdom to any discussion. Rest in peace friend Joe.

Jerry Wertzbaugher, Anchorage, Alaska

Joe Fouts with his plane in Alaska

PLACE CURSOR ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE

January 08, 2016
Joe, was my lifelong friend and fellow aviator. Joe, Evelyn, and myself where members of Lakeland High, Florida Class of 1952. Joe was a kind and loving man who I will so miss. His flight has ended, but it was a great trip.
~
Les Carlton, Austin, Texas

Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned

©2023 USAF Rotorheads   All Rights Reserved   |   Financial Statement