of Yellville, AR
May 29, 1933 - November 14, 2020
Lt. Col (Ret.) Lloyd Carl "Sonny" Blasdel, age 87, of Yellville, Arkansas passed away Saturday November 14, 2020 in Gassville, Arkansas.
Lloyd was born May 29, 1933 in Peel, Arkansas to the late Elmer Earl and Dorothy (Warren) Blasdel. He married Alvena Koester July 6, 1954 in Yellville, Arkansas.
Lloyd developed an early desire to fly. He continued to have this interest and immediately after enlisting in the US Air Force in 1952 applied for and was accepted in the Aviation Cadet Program and worked at a Primary Flight Training Base several months while awaiting a class opening.
His first solo flight was at Columbus AFB, Mississippi, on April 2, 1953 in a Piper PA-18 with a WWII Fighter Pilot as Instructor. He went on to train in the T-6G, T-28's, and B-25's at Lubbock, AFB, Texas and was awarded US Air Force pilot wings in March 1954 at 20 years of age. He gained experience while based at Athens, Greece flying C47's and C54's.
On return to the US he was assigned to the Air Force Academy as an instructor pilot in T-29's. His assignment to Mitchell AFB, New York was transporting civilian and army dignitaries in C-47's, C-54's, and C-131's. At Dyess AFB, Texas he flew C-130A's, C130E's and C130D's. In April 1964 he started flying C123's in Vietnam after a short assignment in Bangkok, Thailand. He worked in the 315th Air Commando Group Command Post in Saigon. During this period he flew 117 combat support hours and 30 combat mission hours.
On return to the United States he was assigned to Headquarters Ninth Air Force, Office of the Inspector General at Shaw AFB, South Carolina. From Shaw he received an assignment to Charleston AFB, South Carolina flying C-141's worldwide but mostly into South Vietnam transporting supplies, personnel, air evacuating injured patients, and deceased military. Next he proceeded to Rhine Main AFB, Germany where he worked in the Military Airlift Command Post.
After retirement from the US Air Force in 1972 he became current in a PA-28 in 1974. He started flying full time in civilian aircraft based at Flippin, Arkansas.
During his more than fifty years of flying, Lloyd has enjoyed many flying missions such as transporting the US Air Force Thunderbird support team and launch equipment to each air show on a European tour including Libya, the Paris Air Show, the Azores, and several other countries. Another was piloting part of the Command element from the United States to Germany in Operation Big Lift during a joint exercise involving airlifting thousands of military personnel and their equipment. He received letters of commendation for these and others. During these more than fifty years he has accumulated more than 12,000 hours of accident and violation free flying.
Lloyd's community involvement in Marion County included serving as hospital administrator at Marion County Hospital, as Marion County Commissioner, a member of Marion County Cattlemen's Association, and as Marion County Farm Bureau President.
Mr. Blasdel is survived by his sons: Erick Blasdel of Flippin, Arkansas; William Earl Blasdel (Becky) of Yellville, Arkansas; his daughters: Terry Karnes (Mike) of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Carla Campbell (John) of Mountain Home, Arkansas; his brothers Larry Blasdel Sr. (Lea) of Flippin, Arkansas; Earl Blasdel Jr. (Janice) of Mountain Home, Arkansas; and his sisters; Daphnal Frazier, Earlena Campbell (Coy) of Alabama; twelve grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alvena Ann "Vennie" Blasdel in 2018, sisters Annette Blasdel and Anna Lea Davenport.
Arrangements are by Roller-Burns Funeral Home in Yellville
Because of our concern for our community and the families we serve, we at Roller-Burns Funeral Home are encouraging families to practice social distancing at graveside and outdoor services in accordance with Covid19 protocol and guidelines.
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24 Condolence(s)
Cindy Tapang
Monday, December 7, 2020
My condolences to the Blasdel family. I had the privilege of getting to know Lloyd and Vennie while working for home health several years ago. Such sweet kind people. Steve and I were also neighbors in Pine Mtn before moving to Hawaii. Steve enjoyed swapping pilot stories with Lloyd, especially when visiting at Elmcroft. I know they could each go on forever talking about airplanes.
Sending our Aloha,
Cindy & Steve
Jo Ann Loucks
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
So sorry to hear of your loss. Lloyd and your mom were very special friends and he and Joe had some unique experiences in their careers.
Brad and Dawn Schulz
Tuesday, November 24, 2020
We are thinking of you guys. Wish we could have been there.
Mark and Traci Campbell
Monday, November 23, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this sad time.
Elinor S Blasdel
Monday, November 23, 2020
Sonny was so special to all of us cousins. My condolences to all our family.
Vickie Warren Shuffitt
Thursday, November 19, 2020
Love and condolences to the Blasdel family. Cousin Sonny was loved, admired, and respected by all of us. We were so proud of him. My Mom and Daddy were always so proud of all his accomplishments, his beautiful bride Vinnie, and his four wonderful children. He will be remembered forever.
Daphnal, Ford, and Amy Frazier
Thursday, November 19, 2020
He is much loved and will be forever in our hearts.
Terri Byrd
Thursday, November 19, 2020
So sorry for your loss. Always loved going to visit your family when we came down. Prayers to all.
Rocky and Margie Hill
Thursday, November 19, 2020
So sorry to hear of Lloyds passing. He is home with God and family. Our sincere condolences for your family. May good memories bring laughter and peace as we celebrate a good person we all knew.
Gerald Garrison
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Thanks for your service, COL. Fair skies & tail winds always. RIP
Carolyn Sue Bowen
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
Condolences to all the Blasdel family. What an admirable and dedicated man Mr. Lloyd was. Prayers for comfort and strength during this time. God bless.
Carolyn and Jack Bowen
Lavaca, Ar
John Creager
Wednesday, November 18, 2020
William and family, Sorry to hear of your loss. Your father sounded like a great and dedicated airman. Condolences.
Linda Moreau
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
So sorry to hear of Mr. Blasdel’s passing. Lovely man, worked with at the hospital in Yellville. Great boss. Prayers of comfort for family.
Billy Joe Purdom
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
To all the Blasdel Family, so very sorry to learn of your loss. Lloyd was a joy to all who came in contact with him. He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers to you.
Rob Allen
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
So Sorry For Your Loss
Beth Taylor(Hanley)
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
He was a dear friend to my husband as a boy and a good friend to us both after we all retired.
Mike and Donna Benton Treat
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Carla and all the family so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a very good man. Prayers to all of you.ðŸ™
Doyle Linck
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
I met Lloyd at the Flippin Airport after he retired from the Air Force. He helped me with my business by flying charter flights. He was a kind and honest man and a joy to work with.
JOHN AND SANDY DOOLEN
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Sandy and I offer our thoughts and prayers to the family. His service is inspirational and was a true hero in very difficult times. Please find our heartfelt condolences and may God continue to provide comfort to everyone.
Earlena Campbell
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
We wish we could be there with all of you. We certainly are in our hearts.
Audra
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
I'm so sorry for your family's great loss. He left a great legacy for his family. God Bless you all and prayers to you all as well.
Kirby and Cindy Davenport
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
We are sorry to hear of your loss. Anna Lee shared many stories with us about Sonny. He will be missed. Our sincere sympathy is with the entire family. Prayers for you all.
Paul and Janet Koester
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
I remember Uncle Carl fondly, and we shared many stories of the Air Force we both served in (along with my father) and how it had changed over the years. I remember that we just happened to be in the Louisville KY. area when my truck broke down, and we all met for lunch as they were heading to a Blasdel family reunion. He was a beautiful soul and we will miss him dearly. God Speed Uncle Carl, now you have your own set of wings to fly with.
Eternal rest grant to him O Lord, and may his perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.
Peace and Grace, Paul and Janet Koester
Sharon Gilling Gentle
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Our condolences to the Blasdel family. May you all find comfort that so many are lifting you up in prayer.