Paul Cohagan spent more than 60 years up in the air and the F-100 was his favorite bird. The F-100 Super Sabre jet was the first of a series to break the sound barrier in level flight.
“When he strapped in to that cockpit, he and the airplane were a team,” said former Navy pilot Ken Toby. “They could do things, they could do maneuvers no one else could.” Cohagan began his flying career at the early age of 12 in 1943.
“On his first flight he flew over his home and dropped a note out the airplane letting his mother know that he was fine,” said Toby. That love of flying took off into a long, successful career. Cohagan joined the Air Force, graduating in 1954. He used his passion and piloting skills, protecting our troops on the ground.
“He was kind of a gutsy-pilot,” said Cohagan’s daughter Anne Coleman. “He always did the right thing, but he liked to push the limits, and he did truly believe in his service. He was completely devoted to the Air Force.” His devotion lasted a lifetime. Cohagan completed two combat tours in Vietnam, underwent nuclear training, would join the Air Force Reserves and fly private planes until 2004. His family said his heart never remained grounded.” (1)
Source (1): https://www.kltv.com/story/8376064/f-100-jet-restored-and-dedicated-in-memory-of-air-force-pilot/
Paul Norman Cohagan, LtCol USAF, Ret., “Headed West” on November 11, 2005.
Paul Norman Cohagan, Sr., age 74 of Joplin, MO, passed away November 11, 2005, at a Bentonville health care facility.
Born March 24, 1931, in Joplin, he was the son of the late Claire G. Cohagan and Eva Landers Cohagan. He served in the United States Air Force as a highly decorated pilot and retired in 1972 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was a former member of the First United Methodist Church of Joplin, Robert S. Thurman American Legion Post No. 13, Reserve Officers Association, Air Force Association, and AOPA. Paul will also join his brothers in arms on the new Air Force Memorial in Washington D.C.
Paul’s love of life touched many people and his family included three children, Anne S. Cohagan Coleman and husband Joseph S. Coleman, their son, grandson and co-pilot to the Colonel William S. Coleman of Palestine TX, Dwain G. Cohagan of Indianapolis, IN, Paul N. Cohagan, Jr. of OKC, OK. Paul’s late brother Jack D. Cohagan of Joplin MO, Dr. Donald L. Cohagan and wife Wylene of Bentonville and sister Luanne M. Cohagan Lindsey and husband Colonel Richard Lindsey US Army (Ret) of Rogers AR in addition to many nieces, nephews and his beloved friends and neighbors, particularly the Colson and Scholl families of Joplin MO.
The body will be cremated under the direction of Parker Mortuary of Joplin MO. Niche-side services will be held with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
In his honor, the family asks your prayers and support for all American soldiers past and present that remain on constant vigil watching over and defending the freedom we celebrate daily. For Lt. Col. Paul Norman Cohagan:
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high-untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
Source: https://www.parkermortuary.com/obituary/22807
