Roll Call Tribute

Lt Col. Kintner "Kit" Alverson USAF Retired
September 15, 1942 ~ March 12, 2021 (age 78)

Lt. Col. Retired, Kintner “Kit” Alverson, USAF, 78 of Marion, NC, passed away at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville on Friday, March 12, 2021, after a brave battle with lymphoma. Kit was born September 15, 1942, in Los Angeles CA, to the late Hunter and Catherine Alverson.

Being raised in an Air Force family, he moved frequently, attending seven elementary schools. In May of 1966, Col Alverson graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Aerospace Engineering and through the ROTC program at Texas A&M was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Air Force. Three months later he entered pilot training, graduating a year later, sixth in his class. Col. Alverson’s flying career is very impressive. He has over 4200 hours of military flight time in fighter type aircraft, including 1500 hours of instructor time, 830 hours of combat time and 600 combat missions in Vietnam, over the course of three tours. He spent this first nine years flying the F-4 Phantom II of which 27 months was flying in the Vietnam conflict. Because of his exceptional flying skills and instructor qualities, he was selected to be a pilot and instructor in the newly formed Aggressor Squadron, flying the F-5E Tiger II. In this assignment skills of Air-to-Air Combat. His next assignment put him in a staff position which organized and ran flying combat scenario exercises. During this time Col. Alverson flew the T-33. After spending eight years overseas, he returned to the U.S. to be an instructor in the Fighter Lead-in Program, flying the AT-38 Talon. His las flying assignment was with a tactical Air Control Squadron flying the OV-10 Bronco.

Col. Alverson retired from the Air Force in February 1993 after serving his country for 26 ½ years. His decorations include:

Command Pilot wings

3-Distinguished Flying Crosses

6-Meritoriuos Service Medals

32-Air Medals

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal

4-Combat Readiness Medals

7 Vietnam Campaign Medals

While serving as an Air Force officer at RAF Lakenheath, England in 1976, Kit met his beloved wife, Helen, who was also an Air Force officer. The couple married later in 1976 and recently celebrated 44+ years of marriage.

Since retiring and moving to Marion, North Carolina in 1998, Kit was heavily involved in his community serving on the Rescue Squad, City of Marion Planning Board, and Rotary Club of Marion. Kit also served as chairman of the board for McDowell Mission Ministries, participated in the Senior Games for several years and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. An active member of First Baptist Church of Marion, Kit helped with many church projects and ministries. He had boundless energy and a can-do attitude coupled with a love of helping others. For the past 20 winters, Kit worked on the Sugar Mountain Ski Patrol and made many friends. He loved the mountains and had an adventurous spirit. In his spare time, Kit loved to repair antique clocks. He was simply a man of many, many talents with a deeply compassionate heart.

Those left behind to cherish Kit’s memory are his wife Helen; son Scott Alverson and wife Christine of Oakland, Florida; two grandsons, Spencer Alverson of Phoenix, Arizona and Aiden Alverson of Oakland, Florida; one sister Susan Alverson of Chico, California, two nieces, one nephew, three great nieces, several cousins, and his four legged-buddy, Daisy, as well as many cherished friends.

A celebration of life to honor Kit will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 3:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church of Marion, with Dr. Scott Hagaman officiating. Full military honors will be provided by the United States Air Force. The family will receive friends from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M., two hours prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Kit's honor can be made to the First Baptist Church of Marion, 99 North Main Street, Marion, North Carolina 28752; and/or to Williamson Lovelights Fund, 551 Brevard Rd, Asheville, North Carolina 28806

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