Curtis F. Yancy , USAF (Retired)
October 07, 1931 – February 25, 2013

One of nine children, he was born in Coleman, TX to the late Eldredge and Lola Yancy. Married 54 years to Wanda Mioduszewski, together traveling with their “military brats” to w
wherever he was stationed.

He was a veteran of both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He served with the 38th Air Rescue and 31st Tactical Fighter Wing in the USAF. A Proud American, this showed throughout his military career having been the recipient of The Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, Air Medals with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters and many (14) others.

He flew 199 combat missions, saved 25 lives and recovered 34 persons in Vietnam. With an impressive career he continued to always live by the Code of the Air Rescue Man. Being a military family, this comes with much pride and respect that those few can know.

After his retirement (20 plus Years) with the USAF he went on to work at the Veterans Administration in Environmental Management in Kerrville TX, Waco TX, Charleston SC , St. Louis , MO and Phoenix, AZ. He took much pride in his association with the VA.

After his retirement in 1996 with the VA (22 Years), he went on to become a Genealogist. This showed his love for family and history.

Throughout his life he has been a member of: The Phoenix Jaycees, VFW, Honorary member of the Texas Rangers, The American Legion, Quogue Fire Department, National Helicopter Society, Masons, DAV, ROMEO Club and his OHS class.

With his quick wit and kindred spirit he has touched many lives and a hero to most. He would be researching family history, emailing his friends and if he wasn’t reading a Western he would be watching a Western, always willing to help others in need and despised mushrooms.

Survived by two sons, two daughters, a daughter in-law, four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, siblings, many rescue pets to include his faithful dog, Zippy.

Interment with full military honors will be at 10:30AM on Friday, April 5, 2013 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 North Cave Creek Road Phoenix, AZ 85024. A celebration of Curtis’ life will be held at 12 noon at The Glendale Civic Center 5750 West Glenn Drive Glendale, AZ 85301.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Curtis’ name to:
Wounded Warrior Project
P.O. Box 758517
Topeka, Kansas 66675

~ GUEST BOOK ~

Jul 15, 2013
I miss my grandpa so much, every day I wish I could talk to him. He’s my hero…I know he’s watching over us all but some days are harder than others.
~
Brittnee Bankston – Phoenix, AZ – granddaughter

Apr 04, 2013
A great friend that will be missed by all that got to know him, he was a fun guy to hang out with and loved to have a good time!!!
~
Posted by: Dennis Baugher – McClure, IL – friend

Apr 04, 2013
My wife Debbie and I first met Curtis a few years ago when we moved to Phoenix. We started talking about computers and technology and then a little about his career in the Air Force. Curtis never boasted about his exploits, he made fun of his life and said it was nothin’, just another day at the office! I didn’t even know the extent of his service until I read his obituary.
We went on to share our love for the US and started to correspond by email about the political situation and I always saw that love for his country in everything he wrote about, now I know it was nothing new for Curtis. He loved his country and he loved his family!
I will miss corresponding with Curtis, the occasional phone call about his computer. We will all miss a great American!
~
Rudy Rovira – Phoenix, AZ – Friend

Apr 02, 2013
I first met Uncle Curtis when his nephew, Jim, and I were dating. We used to have family reunions at Lake Brownwood in Texas. I soon discovered that he was an easy man to really, truly like. I really liked Wanda too. I connected with him immediately and felt a real closeness I had only had with two other uncles, one being Uncle Raymond. He was a real character, like my daddy! He spent many hours putting together a family tree that spanned back a few hundred years! Would love to land a copy of that. Unc. Curtis came to Bryan a couple of times to visit with us, on his way to see his son. He loved our baby girl and we had a wonderful time with him and then also when he brought Aunt Wanda, Milynn and Sherri Davis.
I, too, will miss his emails! It was the only way we stayed connected in the past few years and so it was a real gift! I can’t delete the ones that are still on my computer. 🙂 I pray that you are okay, Aunt Wanda, and Milynn and the rest. God bless you all and keep his memories alive by sharing his stories. Jim was trying very hard to get there for the service but he just wasn’t able and it upset him greatly. Please know that we love you guys and are praying for you!
Jim and Debbie Smith
~
Debbie Smith – Bryan, TX – niece in law

Apr 02, 2013
Dear Wandy and Family.. I have known Curtis for about 6 years, saw him almost 52 days a year.
After our meeting, it was time to have a snack, we always had a few vets breaking bread together. Since I was in the Navy air from 47 to 51. We had a lot of talk about old Choppers. He was a real displaced Texan, always had his Texas Ranger Badge he was given. Loved his wife Wanda and family. When Wanda started to drive him to the VA, I would stop to see her, Curtis would ask me as to what we spoke about. I would say my secret..  My wife Lorraine was so happy when he looked into her Family on line, a gave her a photo of a very old Relative. He was a wonderful person, I am glad to have known Curtis and called him a friend..
God Bless, our hearts are with you Wanda..
Stan & Lorraine
~
Posted by: Stantton & Lorraine Kieffer – Peoria, AZ – Fellow Vet

Mar 31, 2013
I will truly miss Curtis. We’ve known each other only a short time (18 years) and he was a true American hero. I know he wouldn’t want me to say that but he is and that’s that. He was a Patriot and those we are short of these days. He spoke his mind about the true values America should have and he lived that example. We would go to breakfast after group and it never failed Curtis had to pay for it even though the rest of us could. He was generous and always willing to lend a helping hand if he could. He was always talking about his family like all of us did in group. He was wanting them to have a good life free from as much trouble as possible but knew they had to find that on their own. He and I shared a lot of similarities about combat and were a part of a “Band Of Brothers”. I will see him in Heaven and he will have the job of keeping everybody in line and true to the course. Love Ya Curtis see ya later. Dave (Red Baron) Casey
~
David L Casey – Black Canyon City, AZ – Friend

Mar 27, 2013
I met Curtis in Florida while stationed at homestead AFB. Curtis was my supervisor for a couple of years before I was reassigned to Central America, so he was my boss for 2 years and best friend for 40 + years. Over the years I visited he, Wanda and the kids. First, for those that didn’t know Curtis well, you missed a hell of a man. My home Kermit TX, was near Curtis’s home in west Texas, and we had both spent a couple of years in Vietnam, so had something in common. Curtis took me under his wing and Wanda fed my wife and me to stop two young people from starving. Part of the reason I stayed in the military was because of his example and guidance. I decided that was the kind of man and NCO I wanted to be.
Curtis loved his family and his country without reservation. Seems like a good code to me. I have eventually married the woman that makes me feel like Wanda makes Curtis feel, so I have something else to be grateful to him for. He will be missed and well loved. Good bye, my friend
~
 Barry King – Gastonia, NC – friend

Mar 23, 2013
I first met Curtis more than 20 years ago at Mervyns where I worked with his wife in the men’s department. When e-mail became possible Wanda and I exchanged e-mail addresses. Wanda and I are still friends but I never did get an e-mail from her instead I got 100’s from Curtis.
I miss you Curtis…………I miss your e-mails. Gina
~
Gina – Sun City, AZ – friend

Mar 20, 2013
I had the privilege of knowing Mr. Yancy though his quick witted daughter Milynn, whom takes after he wonderful father. I know the apple doesn’t’ fall from the family tree, she was blessed to have a caring, loving father who put family and the love of his wife first! Sending my love to my dear friend and her family, Liz Dodds
~
Liz Dodds – Phoenix, AZ – friend of daughter

Mar 20, 2013
I knew Curtis for about eight years. He was one of the good guys on this earth. I don’t think there’s anything he wouldn’t do for you. He had some of the best witty come backs for just about anything. He was a good man to talk to if you had any problems, and boy did I have problems. I’m going to miss you Curtis, even though I had not seen him in the past few years, I still knew if I needed him, he would be there. God Bless, and know you will always be loved by everyone who ever came into your life.
Leaky USMC
~
Edward P Liekis – Sun City, AZ – Friend

Mar 20, 2013
I was a co-worker of Curt’s at the VA Med Ctr., Phoenix, AZ. I was always happy when Curt came to audit me as I was the Agent Cashier and had to be audited every 90 days. Curt was always of good humor and took the audit very serious. He was not happy counting all of my money but he never made a miscount and the audit was always expedient and never a discrepancy could Curt find. It was a pleasure for me to have known a great guy. I also served a tour in Vietnam and talked of it many times with Curt. My wish is that the good Lord has a special place for him up there.
~
Billy Thompson – Peoria, AZ – Friend

Mar 20, 2013
That was wonderful!
~
Matthew – Friend

Mar 20, 2013
Great classmate. Enjoyed many emails with Curtis after the internet was invented. He never let me know that he was such a hero.
~
Don Whited – Houston, TX – Odessa High School classmate

Mar 19, 2013
Curtis was truly a great man & touched my life…..we had that western cowboy thang in common….gone but never to be forgotten….my love to all his family….xxxooo Aron.
~
Aron Grebner – Springfield (formerly Phoeni, TN – friend