I remember Lonnie from way back. We were in an Amateur Radio Club at the Salvation Army Red Shield Cub back about 1967 when we were in Junior High and we were both photographers for the "Hoof Prints" and the yearbook at WRHS. The last time I saw Lonnie was at the gathering in December of 2009 that Sirena put together at the International Union of Operating Engineers. I didn't see him for all the years in between, but he was a great guy and we will miss him.
Life can change in an instant, as it did for Lonnie. It's an awsome reminder of how important it is to live each minute to the fullest and take nothing for granted, tell the people in your life how much you love them, and be ever mindful of the blesings we have been given.
Lonnie and I have crossed paths for many years through aviation. I remember he started flying in high school and continued throughout his life. He was well respected in the aviation community and was a member of the Quiet Birdmen (QB's) which is an elite organization of male pilots. I most recently saw him at a "flyin" at Harvey Young Airport the Saturday before the accident doing what he loved!
Lonnie was a neighbor and classmate of mine for almost all of my school years in Tulsa. Our happiest times together were spent in Scouts, backpacking and camping, being a camp counselor at Camp Garland in Locust Grove and even meeting President Nixon at the Whitehouse on an Explorer trip. Lonnie was the 'smart' one and was always able to figure things out. We actually started flying lessons together through the Scout program in high school, but Lonnie truly found his love and went on to get his pilots license. I went up with him several times after he got his license and realized that he was in his element. What joy flying brought him for all these years. I was heartbroken to hear that someone who had been such a big part of my life growing up is no longer with us. I've got great memories of our times together and I send my deepest condolences to his wife and daughter. I can still see him sitting in his pilot's seat flying toward the horizon.
Bruce Denny
I remember Lonnie from way back. We were in an Amateur Radio Club at the Salvation Army Red Shield Cub back about 1967 when we were in Junior High and we were both photographers for the "Hoof Prints" and the yearbook at WRHS. The last time I saw Lonnie was at the gathering in December of 2009 that Sirena put together at the International Union of Operating Engineers. I didn't see him for all the years in between, but he was a great guy and we will miss him.
Life can change in an instant, as it did for Lonnie. It's an awsome reminder of how important it is to live each minute to the fullest and take nothing for granted, tell the people in your life how much you love them, and be ever mindful of the blesings we have been given.
Bruce Denny
Cheryl McCullough (Heisten)
Lonnie and I have crossed paths for many years through aviation. I remember he started flying in high school and continued throughout his life. He was well respected in the aviation community and was a member of the Quiet Birdmen (QB's) which is an elite organization of male pilots. I most recently saw him at a "flyin" at Harvey Young Airport the Saturday before the accident doing what he loved!
He will be missed!
Cheryl (McCullough) Heisten
Larry Lane
Lonnie was a neighbor and classmate of mine for almost all of my school years in Tulsa. Our happiest times together were spent in Scouts, backpacking and camping, being a camp counselor at Camp Garland in Locust Grove and even meeting President Nixon at the Whitehouse on an Explorer trip. Lonnie was the 'smart' one and was always able to figure things out. We actually started flying lessons together through the Scout program in high school, but Lonnie truly found his love and went on to get his pilots license. I went up with him several times after he got his license and realized that he was in his element. What joy flying brought him for all these years. I was heartbroken to hear that someone who had been such a big part of my life growing up is no longer with us. I've got great memories of our times together and I send my deepest condolences to his wife and daughter. I can still see him sitting in his pilot's seat flying toward the horizon.
Larry Lane