Frank David Mayberry

Lieutenant Colonel Frank David Mayberry, US Air Force Retired, passed away at age 82. Colonel Mayberry resided in Mesquite, NV, with his wife, Eve, for the past several years. His death occurred on April 22, 2018.

Frank was born January 7, 1936, in his grandfather’s bedroom, on a small farm on the outskirts of Pratt, KS. His brother, Ted, had been born in the same room, almost a year before. His parents were Clyde Theron Mabry and Mary Rosamond Brehm. His father deserted the family the year after Frank’s birth. Frank and Ted grew up on his grandfather’s farm, helping with the gardens, chickens, rabbits, bees and goats. There was a creek on the southern edge of the property which offered a great place to swim and fish. The fields provided space for games. It was an idyllic place for children to grow. Frank and Ted had many friends with whom they played and partied while growing up. Both were good students, and both played in the Pratt High School orchestra. Frank graduated first in his class in 1954.

Frank received a scholarship to attend Arizona State College (now Arizona State University) at Tempe, where he majored in Chemistry. While at Arizona State, Frank joined the Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. He also participated in the Air Force Reserve Officers Training Corp., where he learned about the US Air Force Academy. He immediately began efforts to get an appointment. He dropped out of school after three semesters and secured a job with Convair, an aerospace company in Fort Worth, TX. While there he continued his testing for the Academy, and received an appointment. Frank entered the Academy at Lowry Air Force Base, on July 9, 1956.

While on a cadet field trip to Europe the summer of 1958, to learn about NATO installations, Frank met the love of his life, Eve Catherine Cholerton. Eve was born on the island of Malta, the daughter of Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander Eric Willis Cholerton and Kathleen Rose McLeod Jenkin. Frank graduated from the Academy on June 8, 1960, with a Bachelor of Science degree and a navigator rating. Immediately after graduation, Frank flew to England. Frank and Eve were married on July 9, 1960, at Saint Chad’s Church in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. They honeymooned in Majorca before returning to the States, where Frank began studies in space vehicle guidance, at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The following year he was reassigned to Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, where he underwent special training in electronic systems. He remained as an instructor. While there, he completed the Air Force Technical Instructors’ course, a Master of Science Degree in Psychology and Squadron Officers School.

While at Keesler, Frank and Eve were blessed with a daughter, Kari Kristin, on March 26, 1964. Kari was christened at Saint Chad’s about two months later. From Keesler, Frank was assigned to Clark Air Base, the Republic of the Philippines. Frank was awarded a Commendation Medal while there. Their son, Tristan David, was born there on July 16, 1967. He too was christened at Saint Chad’s. Frank was transferred to Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam, at the end of 1967. In Vietnam, Frank was awarded a Bronze Star. Frank was then assigned to Hanscom Field in Massachusetts for two years, then to the Communications Staff Officers course at Keesler. Following that he was assigned to Headquarters USAF Europe, first in Wiesbaden, then at Ramstein Air Base. While there, he was awarded a Meritorious Service Medal. After five years, he was reassigned to Incirlik Common Defense Installation, in Turkey. He was there awarded a second Meritorious Service Medal.

From Turkey, Frank was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Forces, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. Two years later, in 1980, he retired after a 20 year career. He was awarded a third Meritorious Service Medal. Frank then began his new career in Aerospace, with Martin-Marietta at Waterton, CO, near Denver. Frank’s area of expertise was Satellite Engineering. In 1982, Frank received a substantial raise to work for Hughes Aircraft Company. Three years later, Frank was offered the opportunity by TRW, to take a job in Australia. Frank retired from TRW in 1996.

After their retirement, Frank and Eve traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, Australia and the South Pacific. After a final six-month trip to Alaska and Canada’s Northwest Territory, they bought their home in Mesquite, in 2003. They continued to travel extensively the next several years.

Frank is survived by his wife; Eve, of Mesquite, his daughter; Kari Kristin Mayberry, son in law; Donald James Szynskie, granddaughter; Raechel Kapri Szynskie, and grandson; Merritt James Szynskie, all of Morrison, Colorado, his son; Tristan David Mayberry, and grandson; Colin James Mayberry, of California, his brother; Clyde Theodore (Ted) Mayberry, and his sister in law; Evelyn Darlene Mayberry, of Weatherford, Texas.

All friends and relatives are invited to attend services on Friday, May 4, 2018, at 11:00 a.m., at the USAF Academy Cemetery Pavilion, in Colorado Springs, CO.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory in their guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.