John Kevin Walsh

 John "Kevin" Walsh was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 21, 1949. His early years were spent in Gloster, Mississippi where he graduated from Gloster High School with honors. He attended the University of Southern Mississippi, and upon graduation was accepted into the Navy's Aviation Reserve Officer Training program. After piloting four types of aircraft, he received his wings on December 3, 1971. Upon completion of two fleet tours, LT Walsh went to Milton, Florida, NAS Whiting Field where he was an instructor in the T-28 AND T-34C aircraft.

 After leaving the Active Duty Navy, Kevin was employed by Braniff International Airways and affiliated with Fleet Logistics Support Squadron 53 in the Navy Reserves. He retired from the Naval Service with the rank of Commander. In April of 1983 he was wedded to Christine Marie Glass, a union which has outlasted most airlines.

 After bankruptcy forced the closure of Braniff's operations, he bounced around the 80's "Airlines du Jour" for a time before beginning a career with American Airlines in September 1984. There Kevin served as Captain for over 18 years of his 24 years of employment. An achievement of which he was most proud was his 13,800 hours of Command time spread across four different aircraft types, the MD-80, B-727, B-757, and B-767.

 A long-term practitioner of the martial arts, he held a 1st degree brown belt in Shotokan Karate and a 2nd degree black belt in Tomiki Aikido.

 Kevin was a member of the First Methodist Church in Weatherford, First Methodist Men's Group, the First Methodist Safety Team, the Weatherford Aikido Club, Windsong Dojo in Oklahoma City, the National Corvette Museum, the Pontiac-Oakland Club of America, the GTO Association of America, the Parker County Sportsman's Club and the NRA.

 He and his wife Christine have resided in Weatherford for the past 28 years, where he liked his cars and loved his Kitties.

 A memorial service for Kevin will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 6, 2025, at First United Methodist Church, 301 S Main St, Weatherford, Texas. Reception to follow. Burial will be at a later date.

 In memory of Kevin, contributions may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, PO Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486 or MDAnderson.org/Gifts.

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