Col. Inabinet was born in Bamberg, SC on February 16, 1935. He was the son of George B. and Leila Fersner Inabinet. He graduated from Bamberg High School and the University of South Carolina.
Col. “Jaws” Inabinet began his military in 1957 enlisting in the SC Air National Guard. He later joined the US Air Force graduating from pilot training in 1960 earning his pilot’s wings. He saw service in Japan, Germany, and in 1962 volunteered to be a USAF Air Advisor to the South Vietnamese 2nd Army Division. He returned to the SC Air National Guard in 1969 as an Air Defense Command alert pilot and during his career, held positions in the Operations field including Squadron Weapons Officer, Chief of Standardization and Evaluation, Squadron Flight Scheduling Officer, Squadron Operations Officer, and was the Fighter Squadron Commander for the conversion to the F-16 in 1983. In 1988, Col. Inabinet became the Tactical Fighter Group Vice Commander and served in that capacity until hi retirement in July of 1990.
“Jaws” was highly regarded by his fellow fighter pilots having flown the F-100, F-102, F-105, F-4, A-7, and F-16 fighters. He was a “Top Gun” with over 5100 fighter flying hours.
Col Inabinet married his high school sweetheart, Sally Zeigler, in 1963 and has always said that she was the best thing that ever happened to him. They have two sons, Lee (Letty) and George III (Claire). They also have six grandchildren, Alyssa, Audrey (Lee and Letty), Christian (Holly and Rob), Paul, Matt, and Andrew (George III and Claire). George is close to his brother, Gerry (Anna Louise) who lives in Lake City, SC.
The service for Col. Inabinet will be held at 2 o’clock, Monday, December 11th, at Shandon Baptist Church, 5250 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC, with the Rev. Dr. Daniel Dickard officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Tuesday, December 12th, at 2 o’clock, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.
Honorary pallbearers are Claire Meltzer, David Soto, John Ransom, Robin Bennett, and Boyce Haigler.
Memorials may be made to Shandon Baptist Church, St. Jude’s Hospital or Tunnel to Towers.