Richard Grady Lightfoot

In Loving Memory Lt. Col. Richard Grady Lightfoot, USAF (Ret) – (Colonel, ORSDF) October 30, 1939 – June 12, 2015 Richard Lightfoot of Newberg died of esophageal cancer after a brief stay at the Vancouver VA CLC. He was born in Big Spring, TX, to A. B. and Vesta (Evans) Lightfoot. He graduated from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene and entered the USAF where he served for 28 years. He later received a Master’s degree from Webster College. Lt. Col. Lightfoot served in two wars, Vietnam and Desert Storm, where he earned the Bronze Star. Upon retiring, he and his wife moved to Newberg. He was very active as a volunteer in the Oregon State Defense Force for 15 years, being promoted to the rank of Colonel by the Governor of Oregon. One of his many accomplishments in the military was the evacuation of more than 2,200 dependents out of Incirlik AB, Turkey, in less than 72 hours at the start of Desert Storm. He traveled to 112 countries during his time in the USAF serving as a Master Navigator in 10 different aircraft. Over the years he had the privilege of flying with Jimmy Stewart, Chuck Yeager and Bob Hope when he entertained the troops in Vietnam. After retiring, he was the manager of the McMinnville, Newberg, and Woodburn Career Centers. His next job was manager of the Portland Census Bureau during the 2010 census. He was an Administrative Specialist with the Research and Development Division of the Portland VA Medical Center preceding his death. Lt. Col. Lightfoot was active in the VFW Post 4015 in Newberg, Military Officers Association, Air Force Association, and State Guard Association of the United States, Association of the United States Army, American Legion Post 57, DAV and the Military Affiliate Radio System. He was preceded in death by his parents, A. B. and Vesta Lightfoot, and his son, Jeff Lightfoot. He is survived by his wife, Patricia, stepsons Charles and Brian Comfort, daughter-in-law Lori Lightfoot, granddaughter Abigail Lightfoot, grandson Caleb Lightfoot, brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Stanley and Barbara Lightfoot and “son” Mehmet Birbiri of Adana, Turkey. A military honors ceremony will be held at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, OR, at 1:30 p.m. June 25, 2015 and a memorial service at Lake Bible Church, 4565 SW Carman Drive, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035, at 2:00 p.m. June 27, 2015. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Deacon’s Fund at Lake Bible Church (which provides a helping hand to those hitting a temporary rough spot in their lives) or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of Attrell’s Newberg Funeral Chapel, a Golden Rule Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made to www.attrells.com.

Richard Grady Lightfoot

October 30, 1939 - June 12, 2015