Obituary for Lt. Col. James Leo Youngblood, USAF (Ret.
) James Leo Youngblood was born on Sept 9, 1926 in Wilkes Barre Penn, and left this earth just after midnight on Sept 23rd 2018. He was born to parents Leo Youngblood and Helen Rustowski and was the second of four children. After high school he quickly enlisted into the Air Force and learned to fly and earned his wings at Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.
As a young Lieutenant he met Horty Kohlenbrener on a blind date. Their first date was at the famous Coolcrest miniature golf course here in San Antonio. They were soon married on Sept 30, 1952 at Shaw AFB in Sumter, S. Carolina.
Jim was a pilot for the prestigious Strategic Air Command and was stationed in Japan, Springfield Mass, Guam, Omaha and finally retiring in San Bernardino, Calif. His final move was to San Antonio where he went on to earn a BA from St Mary’s University. Retiring with the proud rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Jim spent his remaining days in San Antonio with his wife Horty.
During his distinguished 24 year career in the Air Force he was awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross. He was most proud of his service in Korea where he flew missions conducting visual reconnaissance in the tiny unarmed Mosquitos T6 and was responsible for reporting enemy positions for use as military targets. He was a proud member of the 6147th TAC CON GP Korea and enjoyed keeping in touch with his fellow squad members.
He safely completed his 100 missions and returned home to the states as a decorated pilot. He was a loyal Spurs fan and on Sat and Sun you could find him huddled around the TV watching his favorite football teams, Penn State and the Dallas Cowboys. Jim and Horty just celebrated their 66th year of marriage.
He was most proud that all 5 of his kids attended college. All 5 children survive him…Jeff, David (Susie Tausch), Kurt (Kristie Loritz), Steve and Susie Youngblood all of San Antonio and Susan Youngblood and Scott Shaw of Austin; his 7 grandchildren are Brad and Ashley Youngblood, Aimee Huebner, Britt and Bryson Youngblood and Jake and Sara Shaw. The Graveside Service with Full Military Honors will begin at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road.
A celebration of Jim’s life is scheduled in Gray Forest immediately following the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory be made to the San Antonio Humane Society ~ sahumane.org. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Lt.
Col. James Leo Youngblood, USAF (Ret. ) please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Graveside Service with Military Honors , OCT 2. 10:30 AM Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach San Antonio, TX, US, 78209 Order Flowers for the Graveside Service with Military Honors Guaranteed delivery before James’ Graveside Service with Military Honors begins.
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