In Memory

Colonel Jack Lundgard, 86, passed away at Gulf Coast Medical Center on April 30, 2021, after a 2-year battle with cancer. Jack was born to the late Martha and Henry Lundgard in Phelps, New York. He graduated from Phelps High School and joined the Navy in 1952. After 6 years in the Navy, he decided to further his education and attended his beloved college, Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL. After graduation from SIU with a BS degree in Fine Arts, he returned to the military and joined the Air Force where he was awarded an MS in Counseling from Ball State University, Indiana. Jack had many assignments over his 37-year military career which included the first ICBM missile program at Walker AFB in Roswell, NM, Lowery Field in Colorado, Vietnam, Offutt AFB, NE, 2 tours in Wiesbaden, Germany and Langley AFB, VA. He had the distinct privilege of commanding the 497th Recon Intelligence Group for 4 years in Shierstein, Germany, which he referred to as “dream assignment”. During his military career, he was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, AF Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. He had a passion for hiking. He thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 1995 and over the next few years he hiked over 4,000 miles on the trail. The following year he biked across the US from Anacordis, Washington to Tybee Island, Georgia with a friend. He also mastered race walking and entered many competitions in various parts of the country. He and his wife enjoyed cruising and traveled extensively throughout the world. Jack was predeceased by his 1st wife, Phyllis Jo Lundgard and his parents. Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife, Gwen Lundgard; his two daughters Cathie Hanson (Mike) and Jeannie Mayhew; his son, David Lundgard; his twin sister, Jean McDonald (Dick); his step-son, Brian Williams; 4 grandchildren; Brandon Mayhew, Corey Mayhew, Christopher Hanson (Ashley) and Caroline Hanson; 4 step grandchildren, Brandon, Braydon, Marleigh and Peyton Williams and 2 great grandchildren, Silas Mayhew and Adeline Hanson. He had many beloved cousins, nieces and nephews. He will be cremated with graveside services at a later date at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL, with full military honors. He was a parishioner of Saint John Catholic Church in Panama City , Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Appalachian Trail Conference or your favorite charity. Rest in peace my dear husband, brother and father until we meet again.