John Loerch was a “veteran of WWII U.S. Army Air Corps and served in the Korean Conflict as a F-80 Fighter/Bomber Pilot. He flew 100 combat missions and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. He rejoined the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1953 and served until 1980 as Group Commander of the 138th Tactical Fighter Group.
After retirement, he owned a Stearman Bi-plane and a AT-6 Texan Trainer and frequently gave rides. If he ever gave you a ride in his plane and you said “Thanks”, he would answer “That’s OK, I’d do the same for a friend”.
Source: TulsaWorld
John F. Loerch, Col USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on November 15, 2007.
John F. Loerch, 81, passed away Sunday, August 12, 2007 in Tulsa, OK. Born November 1, 1925 in Pittsburgh, PA, to George and Lucy Loerch.
He was a 1943 graduate of Samuel P. Langley High School in Pittsburg, PA. Veteran of U.S. Army Air Corps and served in the Korean Conflict as a F-80 Fighter/Bomber Pilot. He flew 100 combat missions and was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. He rejoined the Oklahoma Air National Guard in 1953 and served until 1980 as Group Commander of the 138th Tactical Fighter Group.
After retirement, he owned a Stearman Bi-plane and a AT-6 Texan Trainer and frequently gave rides. If he ever gave you a ride in his plane and you said “Thanks”, he would answer “That’s OK, I’d do the same for a friend”.
Preceded by: his parents; and brother, George. Survived by: his wife of 32 years, Joan; daughter, Denise Scheerer; son, John Jr. and his wife, Sandra; 3 granddaughters, Angela Pennington, Jennifer Tupper and Natalie Scoville.
Service [was held on] August 15, 2007 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with interment at Calvary Cemetery. Moore’s Southlawn Chapel, 663-2233, share memories at www.moorefuneral.com John F. Loerch VIEW AND SIGN THE ONLINE GUEST BOOK: www.legacy.com/tulsaworld
