MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2017 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Tindell, Barnett, Blackwell, Browning, Caughman, Dearing, DeBar, Fillingane, Jackson (32nd), McDaniel, McMahan, Parker, Watson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REMEMBERING THE MILITARY SERVICE AND MISSISSIPPI GULF COAST CIVIC LEADERSHIP OF LIEUTENANT COLONEL DEAN TODD, U.S. AIR FORCE, RETIRED, AND EXTENDING THE CONDOLENCES OF THE LEGISLATURE TO HIS SURVIVING FAMILY.
WHEREAS, it is with great humility that we remember the lifetime of selfless service and legacy of freedom left by Lieutenant Colonel Dean Todd, U.S. Air Force, Retired, who passed away on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2016; and
WHEREAS, "Sir Todd's" humble lifestyle began on a dairy farm in Westfield, Wisconsin, October 8, 1932. In June 1953, Dean enlisted in the Air Force with his career starting at Sampson AFB, New York. After basic training, Todd entered the Aviation Cadet Program for pilot training. He flew the PA-18, T-6, T-28 and the B-25. With his wings came an assignment to Munich, Germany, where he spent three years flying C-119s. His unit was then moved to Everaux, France, for a period of six months. Upon reassignment to Dover AFB, Delaware, in 1958, Dean terminated his active duty status; and
WHEREAS, he was voluntarily recalled to active duty in 1962. Todd's next assignment was to the Air Defense Command at Hamilton AFB, California, where he flew C-123s and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State College. In 1966, he was assigned to the 314th Air Division, Osan, Korea, and he spent 13 months as Photo Reconnaissance Pilot; and
WHEREAS, returning to the U.S. in October 1967, then Master Todd saw assignment to the 3512th Pilot Training Squadron, Randolph AFB, Texas. In the early part of 1968 the squadron moved to Keesler AFB, Mississippi, where the school trained pilots for the free world. He was Chief of Military Training for the 3389th Pilot Training Squadron. His flying career encompassed other overseas assignments: France, Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. In time, he was honored to be the Memorial Day featured speaker at Jones Park, Gulfport, in 2015; and
WHEREAS, Dean was a Veteran of Vietnam who flew and experienced another day while others came home with their caskets draped in the American flag. Dean grew up in the greatest generation and was indeed among a breed of men who understood the meaning of honor, integrity, sacrifice and nation above self. His military career ended in 1980 in charge of 7,500 students as Chief of the Student Affairs Division. Colonel Todd retired as a Command Pilot with over 5,000 flying hours of which 500 were combat; and
WHEREAS, his military decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross; Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Vietnam Armed Forces Training Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Fourragere Color of National Order, Military Merit Fourragere and Vietnam Command Pilot Wings; and
WHEREAS, Dean met his wife Victoria while she was in training at Keesler AFB and they were married in 1974. In the mid-1970s, he, his wife, son and daughter-in-law were on active duty at Keesler AFB. He faithfully attended the Keesler Larcher Chapel and Triangle services for over 40 years. He was in charge of the fellowship program, participated as a liturgist, lay reader, usher and sang in the choir. He was one of the original nine men who started the patient escort service for the Keesler Medical Center. This was a volunteer position in which he served 36 years moving over 30,000 patients. It was a ministry for him and he looked forward to those early morning drives to the sun coming up over Keesler AFB; and
WHEREAS, he was the recipient of the Angel Award from the Keesler hospital in 2008. Dean was a prior Board Member of the Gulf Coast Air Force Association; member and prior President of the Retired Officers Association (MOAA); member and Flight Captain of a flying fraternity, the Daedalians; former Commissioner of the West Jackson County Utility District; past President of the Langley Point Home Owners Association; former President of the D'Iberville/St. Martin Area Chamber of Commerce; and former President of the Gulf Coast Association for Retired Citizens; and
WHEREAS, he felt his greatest contribution was his 40 years of service to the Keesler Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. This was a volunteer position of which 19 of those years were as Chairman of the Board. Dean served as an officer on the National Association of Credit Union Chairman and also served at the state level as Chairman of the Mississippi Credit Union Association; and
WHEREAS, Sir Todd is survived by his wife, Victoria, of 43 magical years. His marriage to Carol Rix gave him three amazing children: Cindy Kilgo (Ted), Gregory Todd (Mumine) and Connie Anderson (Toby). There are six terrific grandchildren: Clayton, Aaron, Michael, Connor, Tara and Evan; three great-grandchildren: Avery, Emily and Everett; and God-daughter, Julianna; and
WHEREAS, his legacy is a strong and free America and State of Mississippi, and for this a lifetime of selfless service, a grateful state thanks him:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby remember the military service and Mississippi Gulf Coast Civic leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Dean Todd, U.S. Air Force, Retired, and extend the condolences of the Legislature to his surviving family.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Lieutenant Colonel Todd, forwarded to the Commanding Officer of Keesler Air Force Base, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.