Roll Call Tribute

Gordon Wight Parkhill, Jr., Col. USAF (Ret) 

April 9, 1928 - May 27, 2025 

Colonel Gordon W. (Buzz) Parkhill, Jr., passed away May 27, 2025 at the age of 97.

He was born April 9, 1928 to Gordon Sr. and Miriam (Cooper) Parkhill in Lubbock TX. Buzz was the middle of three children in a family that traveled frequently throughout Texas and South Dakota. At Lubbock High School, he began dating Ellen, a friend of his younger sister. However, her family moved to Abilene and Buzz left for Texas A&M. After three years there, he worked on oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico before joining air cadets at Randolph AFB. As Ellen had returned to Lubbock, he chased her until she caught him, and they married on October 25, 1952. It was the beginning of a 30-year adventure that took them to Kansas where son Mike was born, Maine where they had Peggi, then Louisiana and Virginia before Buzz went to Takhli, Thailand to fly the EB-66 while Ellen took the kids to Lubbock for 18 months with extended family.

Assignments in California and Michigan followed, then two years on Guam where Buzz was Commander for Maintenance of 150 B-52s. After another tour at Barksdale AFB Louisiana with the kids in college, Buzz was assigned to Kadena AB, Okinawa and upon his retirement in Ft Worth, he had served 29 years and flown 13 different aircraft in the USAF inventory. A week later, he put his uniform back on to come down to San Antonio and commission his daughter. He completed his degree, worked for Tarrant County and American Airlines flight academy, shepherded Ellen's nephew through his teens, and was the pillar of Christ the King Episcopal Church. The Parkhills moved to Air Force Village/Blue Skies West in 2001, where they played bridge, read to Vista patients, attended church services, served Sunday lunch for local family, explored San Antonio and travelled, until the pandemic slowed them down. Buzz lived a life of service, never met a committee he didn't like, and really enjoyed "village living."

Preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ellen; and his son, Mike; as well as sisters, Ruth and Jean. Buzz will be profoundly missed by Peggi; daughter-in-law, D; nephew, Sean and his wife Valerie; a multitude of friends, adopted daughters, and family members who meant so much to him (especially the Cooper Clan which gathers every two years!) Service will be held at the Blue Skies of Texas West High Flight Chapel on 30 June 2025 at 1pm.