TAPS/Sick Call

TAPS

Major General John B. Oblinger, Jr.
"Major General John B Oblinger, Jr. slipped the surly bonds of earth in Boulder, Colorado and with all the gentle grace and dignity with which he lived his amazing life, he reached out his hand and touched the face of God on December 26th, 2016.
 
John was born March 27, 1931 in Cincinnati, Ohio to John and Hazel Oblinger. When he was a teenager, he enjoyed being active in all the sports his high school had to offer and he lettered in football, basketball, baseball and track each year. His senior year the school won the baseball championship for the state of Ohio. Not only did he excel in sports, but also in academics. He graduated from Taylor High in North Bend, Ohio in 1949. In the high school yearbook they had beside his picture, " There are children lucky from dawn to dusk, but never a child so fortunate."
 
Upon graduation, he received an appointment to West Point Military Academy and joined the Long Gray Line. At the Academy, he had no problems with cadet life. He held the rank of Cadet Lieutenant and Battalion Adjutant and was Captain of the baseball team his first class year.
 
In 1957 he served as a battery officer and battery commander in the Nike Hercules defense of the Washington-Baltimore area. In 1961 he completed the Artillery and Anti-Aircraft Advance Course. He then went to Vietnam where he served as Aide-de-Camp to the Chief, Military Assistance Advisory Group.
 
In July 1975, he was promoted to Brigadier General and assumed command of the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Osan, Korea. In July 1976, he was assigned as Assistant Commandant of the United States Army Air Defense School at Ft. Bliss, an assignment he held until he assumed command of the US Army Air Defense Center and Fort Bliss. He also served as the Commandant of the US Army Air Defense School and Chief of Air Defense Artillery. 
 
He was promoted to Major General at a special ceremony at Memorial Circle, Fort Bliss. General of the Army Omar N. Bradley presented him with his two star flag. John gave the authority to hold the first Amigo Air Show at Biggs Army Air Field, pioneered the Fort Bliss Armed Services YMCA, made the decision to cover the Replica Aquatic Center (which was finished after his departure) and converted old Kelly Park Housing area into a recreation area. He moved the Junior Enlisted Center from a one-room facility to a much larger building to handle the tremendous success of the ever-growing program. John gave his full support to the Allied Host Family program and the Protestant Men of the Chapel. He established the Fort Bliss Housing Association Mayors Program and the Fort Bliss Tennis Association. He arranged to obtain a building on Fort Bliss for the United States Horse Cavalry Association to hold their meetings and store their artifacts. He guided the building of the Omar N. Bradley softball complex on Fort Bliss. In their six years at Fort Bliss, he and his wife Edy hosted numerous events and visitors from the military, both foreign and American, and civilians from all walks of life. One of his most treasured was a visit from Jordan's King Hussein.
 
His accomplishments were many, but his character is what made him truly great. John gave tirelessly of himself to the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities. He met every challenge with hope and a positive attitude. The lives he touched were blessed by his kindness and inspired by his wisdom. In 2008 he went to West Point for his 55th reunion. In 1953 his class of 512 cadets all stood straight and tall. The ones remaining had been assigned and await orders to rejoin the Long Gray Line. They will once again be full strength and they will come together again. He will be deeply missed by his family and friends. His whole life was an inspiration and his memory a benediction. He prepared well for his transition to the other side, and for a new tour of duty, far better than we can comprehend. His mission on Earth accomplished." 
 
He is survived by his wife Edy, sons Mark and Michael, grandchildren Kyle and Claire and daughter-in-laws Linda and Susan.
 
Funeral Services with full military honors was on Monday 9 January 2017 at 12:30 PM, at Chapel 1, Fort Bliss. Committal Service followed at 2:00 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.
 
Instead of flowers – donate to Parkinson's, Alzheimer's or the Begin AdTech Script American Heart Foundation End AdTech Script .

Chief Warrant Officer Henry Dewitt Talmadge Waldrop
CW4 Henry Dewitt Talmadge Waldrop, 95, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2015 in El Paso, Texas. He is survived by his sons Henry E. Waldrop and wife Janet Gail Waldrop, Michael D. Waldrop and wife Dianne Marie; grandchildren Clara Diane Waldrop Carter, Michele Rzepiela, Michael Waldrop Jr.; great-grandchildren; Davis Henry Carter, Jackson Garrett Carter, Zachary Rzepiela, Rachael Rzepiela, Devon Waldrop, Michaela Waldrop; and great great-grandchildren Brantley Rogal, and Nicolai Waldrop. And finally, he is survived by his Sister Kathleen Brownlee and dear friend Carolyn Rodela.
 
Henry was preceded in death by his parents Benjamin Franklin and Lillie Mae Waldrop.
 
Visitation was held on Sunday, March 29, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service that began at 4:00 p.m. at Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home.
 
A Committal Service was held on Monday, March 30, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Kaster-Maxon & Futrell Funeral Home 8817 Dyer Street, El Paso.


Master Warrant Officer Edward C. Ney
Edward C. Ney passed away on March 14, 2015 in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 83.  Born in Massachusetts, he was the son of Mary and Thomas Ney. He was preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Rosa and is survived by his son, Timothy Ney (Annie) of Boston, MA; daughter Linda Ney-Catalina of Falmouth, MA; step-daughter Anita Lauderdale (Lee) of Dripping Springs, TX; grandchildren, Eric Blythe of Birmingham, AL, and Baylee Vasquez (Sergio); great grandson Roman Vasquez  of Austin, TX; and Ed’s brothers, Thomas Ney (Ruth) of California and Robert Ney (Sharon)of Arizona.
 
Ed joined the U.S. Army in 1953.  He participated in the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. After 40 years of service, he retired as a Master Warrant Officer in 1993. 
Mr. Ney graduated of the Master Warrant Officer Career College; obtained a B.A. in Business Administration from UTEP and participated in MBA studies at Troy State University.
 
His military decorations included:  The Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal, “V” Device; Bronze Star Medal (5 OLC); Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC); Air Medal (13); and the Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC).    
 
Upon retiring, Mr. Ney was appointed as the Retirement Services Officer Heidelberg, Germany, and served on the Heidelberg Retiree Council, USAREUR Retiree Council and El Paso Retiree Council.  He was an active member and held a lifetime membership in the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), serving two terms as president of his local chapter. He held lifetime memberships in the United States Army Warrant Officer Association, the Military Order of the World Wars, Disable American Veterans, the Air Defense Artillery Association, and the National Association of the Uniformed Services where he also served two terms as president in El Paso.
 
A celebration of Ed Ney’s life was held in El Paso on April 25, 2015 from 1 to 5 PM at the Vista Hill Golf Club, 2210 Trawood Drive, El Paso.
 
Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA at on August 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM..
 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans or a Wounded Warriors Charity of your choice.


Lieutenant Colonel Bernice Bryant
LTC Berniece Bryant was born July 6, 1918 to Georgia Lora Tanner Bryant and Harvey Earl Bryant, Sr. in Goose Creek, Texas. She was 4th born of 5 children and raised by single parent, her mother. She died on February 28, 2015 in Pasadena, Texas.
 
She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Baytown, Texas in May 1936 and from Jefferson Davis Hospital School of Nursing in Houston, Texas in October 1940. After passing her Board Exams in December 1940 she worked in a nursing home until Red Cross recruited nurses to go to Alaska to take care of soldiers in February 1941. She went in as a volunteer, but was soon enlisted into the Army. After Pearl Harbor was bombed, she was a part of first group of medical personnel sent to Hawaii.
 
She served as Army nurse from February 1941 to March 1946 during World War II. After discharged she earned her B.S. in Psychology at University of Houston while still working as a nurse. Berniece is the only one in the family of her generation who actually earned a college degree.
 
In April 1951 she was recalled to active duty, and she remained until her retirement in March 1969. She served during the Korean War and Vietnam War. After retirement at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, she worked part-time as nurse in skilled nursing facility where her mother resided, and voluntarily nursed ailing family members. She loved to travel and did so at every opportunity with her many friends and family. Berniece was never married and never had children of her own, but loved her nieces and nephews. She lived in El Paso until 2005 and maintained her chapter membership.
 
She was preceded in death by both parents; sisters, Gladys Kent and Alma Cleveland; brother, Harvey Earl Bryant, Jr.; and four nephews, Thomas Earl White, Richard White, Glenn Cleveland, and Donald Bryant.
 
She is survived by a sister, Minnie Jernigan; nieces, Gladys Sue Hill, Mary Ellen Smoke, Shirley Jernigan, Carol Warren, and Janice Daniel; nephews, Grady Kent, Melvin Jernigan, James Bryant and Ronald Bryant; numerous great- and great, great nieces and nephews.
 
She was buried at the Houston National Cemetery with full military honors.
 
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Wounded Warrior Project, P. O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675; or your favorite charity in her name.


Lieutenant Colonel Sidney Chavers
LTC Retired Sidney Lanier Chavers, 92, loving husband and father, passed away quietly on Dec. 18, 2014 after a brief illness. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Gwendolyn and 2 sons, Sidney Lanier and Stephen Raymond Chavers. He is survived by his daughters Candace and George Fain and Debi and John Grady and 4 granddaughters, Heather and Mark Ivy, Kelly and (Isaac Aguirre) Weddington, Crystal Grady and Chelsea Fain and 5 great-grandchildren.

Interment at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery will occur later.