H.K. Fawcett “joined the Air Force in October of 1953, beginning a distinguished career in the Armed Forces. Among the most noteworthy of his assignment were his two tours of duty in Vietnam in which he recorded a total of 299 combat missions. He earned numerous awards and decorations for his outstanding service to our country. His service eventually found him back in Del Rio at Laughlin AFB as a flight instructor. He advance to the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring from the Air Force in 1975. H. K. was a member of the famous Super Sabre Society as he flew the Super Sabre F-100 on many missions.”(1)
Source: (1) From A History of the Fawcetts and Related Families in America by William Bloys Fawcett. Copyright © 1996, 2007 by William Bloys Fawcett, Jr
Horace K. “H.K.” Fawcett, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on July 20,2008.
Horace Keyes “H.K.” Fawcett, Jr. died at Odyssey Hospice in San Antonio on Sunday, July 20,2008 due to complications from leukemia. He was 76. He was born December 21, 1931, the first of four children of Horace Keyes and Eika Mae (Dedo) York Fawcett in Del Rio. His sister and brothers include Frances Helena, David York and Curtis James.
He grew up at the Dolan Creek Ranch, north of Del Rio. He spent his youth hunting, fishing and helping his father on the ranch. During his teens he took great interest in flying, and he earned his private pilot license. He graduated from Del Rio High School in 1949, and went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Husbandry from Sul Ross State University in 1953.
He joined the Air Force in October of 1953, beginning a distinguished career in the Armed Forces. Among the most noteworthy of his assignment were his two tours of duty in Vietnam in which he recorded a total of 299 combat missions. He earned numerous awards and decorations for his outstanding service to our country. His service eventually found him back in Del Rio at Laughlin AFB as a flight instructor. He advance to the rank of Lt. Colonel before retiring from the Air Force in 1975. H. K. was a member of the famous Super Sabre Society as he flew the Super Sabre 100 on many missions. H.K was also on the Air Force pistol shooting team as he was an expert shot with a pistol.
While in the military, he met Jean Elizabeth Adams of South Hampton, NY. The married in 1965 in Las Vegas, and in 1970 the couple adopted twins Elizabeth Jean and Edward Keyes.
After retirement from the Air Force, H. K. sold real estate in Del Rio. He also became interested in local politics, and he was elected to the SFDRCISD School Board in 1983. He served as a school board trustee until 1988. His interests in education included his involvement as a volunteer instructor for 4-H Shooting Sports, as well.
H. K. had many hobbies and interests including hunting, fishing,cooking and gardening. He particularly enjoyed growing tomatoes and peaches. He always gave away the surplus fruits and vegetables to friends, family and local organizations. He also received a local honor of acknowledgment for creating a beautiful bird habitat in his backyard using native plants. He was recognized in 1996 as Volunteer of the Year by the Texas Nature Conservancy for his activities that supported their protection of the wildlife and land of the Dolan Falls Preserve. He very much enjoyed conversing with friends he met in an online community of retired fighter pilots called the Super Sabre Society. He also loved his dog, Jazz, who went with him everywhere.
H. K. was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Frances, his brother David and his exwife Jean. He is survived by his children, Edward Fawcett of San Angelo and Elizabeth of Denton; his brother Curtis of San Antonio, his sister-in-law Andra Sides of San Antonio, his aunt Jo Beth Fawcett of Del Rio and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was a man of honor and integrity, generous with his time and his talents. His influence and memory will live on in all those whose lives he touched.
In lieu of usual remembrances, donations may be made to H.K.’s favorite charitable organizations:
West Texas Boys Ranch Foundation, P.O. box 4077, San Angelo, TX 76902; or online at www.wtbr.org. Or to support the Texas Nature;
Conservancy’s efforts to protect Dolan Falls Preserve, Donations may be made to: The Nature Conservancy, Attn:
Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or online at www.nature.org.
The family wishes to thank the loving and caring nurses of Odyssey Hospice House in San Antonio – his “angels;” and Puente & Sons Funeral Home of San Antonio.
From A History of the Fawcetts and Related Families in America by William Bloys Fawcett. Copyright © 1996, 2007 by William Bloys Fawcett, Jr.
