Our prayers are with the friends and family left behind
Philippians 4:6,7
John E. Wilson QM3 1956-60
John E. (Jack) Wilson, Atakapa Jack
Atakapa Jack, died Thursday, December 22, 2005.
Jack served aboard the U.S.S. Atakapa (ATF-149) from 1956-1960 leaving her as QM3.
Though bound to a wheel chair Jack was, as Tom Thomas described him, “ lively and full
of spunk”. Jack made a huge impression on all who knew him. Several guys who met Jack at
the NAFTS reunion in San Diego in 2000 have sent notes of sadness to each other and to the family.
Jack is survived by his wife, Marjorie (Marnee), and daughters Laura and Jenny. He took great
delight in the fact that Laura and Jenny were born on the same day 7 years apart.
When asked if the family had anything they might wish to share about Jack, daughter Laura said,
“ say what Dad would have said, ‘‘just do something nice for somebody else someday”.
That’s a pretty significant testimonial for the man Jack was.
Atakapa Jack Memorial Page
Tommy Purcell DC3 1970-71
Passed away due to a Car Accident Christmas 2002
Bill Hoey GM3 1953-55
Passed away 6-4-02 will be missed by his wife Lorraine (Lori) also,
close shipmate with whom he served Conley Branham
Thomas Askin
Passed away March 2001 San Pedro, CA.
J. O. Cullipher, LCDR CO
Passed away June 20, 1984 due to colon cancer. He was only 56 years old
This information came from his daughter Susan Cullipher Jones who said
her father told her many times that serving as CO of the Atakapa
was the honor and highlight of his life.
Henry E. Lacy (Terry) - ETR2 1968-70
Passed away the last week of February 2005
I had the pleasure of serving with Henry and although we lost touch after I
left the ship in1969 and had no contact after that, I found myself saddened by
his passing. When i heard your news I found numerous times with Henry
returning to my memory. I went to my pics of those years and found his picture
and remembered the bright young man who was a friend to all.
Although I only knew Henry as a youngster at the start of his life, I am most certain
that he grew to be an outstanding man.
Men like that are always missed.
Jim West
Donald Carpenter - 1945
Passed away in 2003
Nicky McKinnon (Big Nick)
Passed away Date unknown
Served in Vietnam
Richard Brissom CWO4 1972-74
Passed away in the 80's
James (Jim) Ward EMFN 1969
Passed away in 2005 from cancer
Floyd Schilstra was told by his daughter Michelle that He was
a Denver police officer after leaving the Navy.
Sorry to hear about Jim Ward.
We were friends and also worked as electricians together on the Atakapa
during the spy ship era. I believe he was promoted to 2nd class petty officer
before he and Brenda left the service. I do remember visiting their
baby girl, can't remember if it was named Michelle or not.
We had some fine memories, he was a good person.
Sincerely,
Fred Veatch
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Charles Daniel Robertson FN 1954-58
Passed away in May 2005
Freeland Everett
Passed away August 17, 2006. Freeland retired after 22 years
of Naval service as a Boatswain Mate and Salvage Diver. He was
a veteran of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Freeland trained at
Bayonne, NJ Salvage School. He was 79 and buried with military
honors at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Norfolk, VA.
From Coatsville, PA
Shipmate and friend of Donald Smith 1945
Bert Adams
From Tennessee
Shipmate and friend of Donald Smith 1945
Clyde A. Mathis Jr.
Clyde Archie “Bub” Mathis Jr., 58, died May 30, 2007
at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Clyde served on the Atakapa in 1969 and was looking forward
to attending our 2007 Nashville Reunion.
Graveside Military Honors were provided by the U.S. Navy and
Southeast Missouri Veterans Honor Guard.
Donald R. Graham
Donald R. "Grumpy" Graham, 64, of Butler, PA. died Monday
December 31, 2007 at Western Penn Hospital after an illness.
Harry James Bacon
Harry James Bacon and his wife were both killed in an auto accident
March 3, 2008 near their home in Montpelier, OH.
Donald E. Lechman
Crew members of the USS Atakapa share the loss of Donald E. Lechman.
He was a valued crew member in 1958 and will be missed not only by
his family but by all his shipmates.