“My flying career was terminated in Sep 72 when I was diagnosed with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. I convinced the USAF to send me to Purdue to get a BSEE and MSEE then ended up as a test officer in advanced communications.”
Chris was known for being “a brilliant aviator with “Red Hot Hands”.”(1) He graduated No. 1 with honors in his aviation class. He is fondly remembered by his “Misty” buddies for his tremendous sense of humor.
(1) Source: Frank McCabe
Ralph “Chris” Kellum (LtCol USAF, Ret) “Headed West” on September 26, 2013.
Ralph Christy “Chris” Kellum, age 72, Kokomo, and a former resident of Ft. Wayne, IN and Hatteras, N.C., died at 7:42 p.m. Thursday, September 26, 2013, at St. Joseph Hospital. He was born in Kokomo, September 28, 1940, the son of Ralph Claude and Doris (Christy) Kellum. He married Mitzi Oden on November 24, 1965, and she preceded him in death on May 28, 2009. He married Joan Bowman on April 30, 2011, at First Congregational Christian Church, and she survives.
Chris was a 1958 graduate of Kokomo High School. He earned his Eagle Scout Award during his high school years. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, graduating in 1976. He was an Air Force Veteran, having served 23 years in the service, retiring as a Lt.Col. He loved flying and was a fighter pilot who flew the F-100. During the Vietnam War, he was a member of the Elite Flying Squad known as the Mistys. Following his military career, he resided in Ft. Wayne and worked at ITT for 14 years, until July 1997 when he moved to Hatteras, N.C.
His memberships included the Hatteras United Methodist Church of Hatteras, N.C., the Early Risers Rotary Club of Kokomo, The Thursday Night Bridge Club, and The Kokomo Country Club where he was serving as secretary at the time of his death. He was also a member of the Purdue Alumni Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi. Wherever Chris lived, he made an effort to be actively involved in the community.
He was an avid reader, a man of faith, and a student of the Bible. He was best known as, “A lover, a fighter, a ballroom dancer, and a Sunday night drinker, retired.”
Surviving, in addition to his wife Joanie of Kokomo, are two daughters, Paula Hughes (Christopher) and Christy Kellum; one grandson, Beale Kellum Hughes, all of Ft. Wayne; one brother, Stewart Kellum (Verna) of Kernersville, N.C.; one sister, Kay Puckett of Longsville, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Frank Puckett.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Friday, October 4, 2013, at First Congregational Christian Church, in Kokomo, with Pastor Jon Tice officiating. Military honors followed the service, provided by the U.S. Air Force and the VFW Military Rites Team. Private burial took place later.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Congregational Christian Church and/or the Hatteras United Methodist Church, 57665 N.C. Road 12, Hatteras, N.C. 27943, and/or the Wounded Warrior Project.
Source: Obituary for Lt. Col. Ralph Christy Kellum USAF Retired | Shirley & Stout, Hasler & Stout, Stout & Son Funeral Homes (shirleyandstout.com)
