Thorp Air Command - T18.net

Last night I lost my good friend and wing man John Kerr after a short and hard fought battle with cancer . If you never knew John he was a real people person . Stop by his hangar with a problem and he would find a way to fix it or machine a new part for you . He was known around Gillespie field as the man to go to if you had a sheet metal problem . He has repaired everything including parts for a P-51 and seat track fittings for a Mooney . John over the course of many years has built 3 T-18 (and a "Pete") and his last AC is sadly up for sale . John would tell me LONG stories of how he got started as an apprentice at Convair and working on the "line" pounding out parts . Shortly there after he started his first T-18 and would tell me about his meeting with John Thorp and the many trips to the Burbank area to stock up on surplus items for his Thorp .

What I will probably miss the most were our flights together as a flight of two and trying to explain to John how to fly formation ! Somehow we made it from point A to point B and after landing had a good laugh about the flight . John will be buried at the Miramar National Cemetery on the 16th of January . I do not know a time yet , but will post that info. when I get it .

ONE LAST FLIGHT WEST MY FRIEND

Regards,

RB
NX115RX

So sorry Rich - he was a fine man who made the earth a better place.

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Fraser MacPhee
N926WM
Serial #279-1
Angel Fire, NM (KAXX)

Shit. That was quick. Sorry to hear that. Great man. Great sense of humor. We will miss him.
Cubes

God Bless John, Condolences to his Family Rich and also to yours as I know you two were Buds. He will be missed and he sure left alot of good memories with us all.......Blessings Dan

Oh man, I'm so sorry to hear that, Rich. He was a good man and a good friend to you and so many others. I'm sure it was a great comfort to him to have you there to help with his T-18 in the end. God bless you, Rich. My condolences to you and to John's family.

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John Evens
Arvada, Colorado
T-18 N71JE (sold)
Kitfox 7 SS N27JE

Oh man Rich so sorry to hear this. John was a great guy, he will be missed

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http://www.dixiefriedfabrication.com/

Where to start?
As his son I was the ever faithful copilot. There are stories acquired over time flying with my father that are near and dear to my heart. To read the responses here that testify to who he was are uplifting and appreciated more than you will know. Rich, there is no way in the world I can thank you enough for the incredible effort you have put out in getting N2056 back in the air and ready for sale.

John Kerr will be interned at the Miramar National Cemetery on the 16th of January 2017 at 1030 hours (PST) . If you care to attend the cemetery is just West of the MCAS Miramar (KNKX) . If you have never been to a ceremony at a National Cemetery they start ON TIME !

Regards,
RB

Roaming about this site, I finally got to recall the name of the fellow for whom I test flew his first T-18: John Kerr. Cancer. Damn. Closure on my stroll down memory lane. RIP, John.