Provencio, Art
Col. Art Provencio
Date of Death: March 07, 2016
Date of Birth: 1933
U.S. Air Force, Retired Arthur “Art” Provencio passed away March 7, 2016, in Henderson, with his loving wife, Irene, at his side. Art was born in 1933 in El Paso, Texas, the son of Julia and Santos Provencio.
He graduated from Superior High School and Arizona State. Art proudly served in the U.S. Air Force and retired after 30 years of service. He served in Vietnam, Thailand, Antarctica, Spain, North Africa, South America, New Zealand, and Puerto Rico. Art earned many military honors including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Commendation Award Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Readiness Medal, Antarctica Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Armed Services Reserve Medal. Art’s assignments included flying passengers and cargo to the continents, flying rescue missions in North and South Vietnam.
He was Commander of the 71st Rescue Squadron, and Commander of Transportation in Spain, where his squads were selected the best in Europe, and one of the squadrons chosen best in the Air Force. Art logged over 12,000 hours of flying time for the Air Force.
Art was preceded in death by his first wife, Helen, who passed away when the youngest of their four children was six years old. After raising his four children, he met the second love of his life, Irene, and her four children, who added tremendous joy to his life. Art and Irene traveled the world together.
Art touched many lives with his infectious laugh, kindness and love of life. He loved books, travel, golfing, fishing, motor homing and spending time with his large, loud, loving family.
Art will be greatly missed by his wife, of of 36 years, Irene; his children, Paul (Lizzy), Andy, Julie (Bob) and Susan (Pat); stepchildren, Sandy (Michael), Gerhard (Colleen), Glenn (Cheryl) and Mark (Sheryl); and his 19 grandchildren.
Memorial Mass celebrating Art’s life will be at 1:20 p.m. Thursday, March 31, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive, Boulder City, NV 89005.
Integrity, Honor, and Respect
Some of the best things cannot be bought, they must be earned
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