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It is with great regret and sorrow that I must notify you of the death of our
classmate, George Shamblee, on March 8, 2024 in St. Augustine, FL.
George is survived by his son, Christopher; his daughter, Kimberly Hill, and her
husband, Chris; and his granddaughters, Olivia and Ella. He is also survived by
his former wife, Priscilla.
A Celebration of Life was held on March 29, 2024 at the Emerald Coast Funeral
Home, 161 Racetrack Rd NW, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547.
A funeral service will be held at the Old Cadet Chapel, West Point, NY, at 10 AM
on June 3, 2024, followed by burial in the West Point Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to Kimberly at 1712 E Cobblestone Lane, St. Augustine,
FL 32092-3601.
In lieu of flowers, donations in George’s memory may be sent to West Point
Chaplain Tithes and Offerings Fund, 692 Biddle Loop, West Point NY 10996 or the
AOG Memorial Support Program.
Well done, George. Be thou at peace.
Remembrances:
Class Memorial Pages\B-2 George Shamblee.pdf
Obituaries:
George Larry Shamblee
December 19, 1937 ~ March 8, 2024 86 Years Old
 Surrounded by the warmth of his loving family, Ret. Lt. Col. George L. Shamblee
embarked on his last flight on March 8, 2024. Born on December 19, 1937, to
George and Virginia Shamblee in Anniston, Alabama, this remarkable man left
behind a legacy that will forever be etched in the hearts of those he touched.
Among those who mourn his passing are his cherished children, Christopher and
Kimberly (Chris), and his beloved granddaughters, Olivia and Ella. His brothers,
Curtis (Mary) and Thomas (Dorothy), and his nephews, Thomas and Curt, will
forever remember the strength and wisdom he imparted. Priscilla Shamblee (mother
of his children) will always hold dear the memories of their shared love and
adventure.
Col. Shamblee's illustrious military career began at the West Point Academy, C/O
1961, and continued as he transferred to the Air Force, where he served as an
EWO, NWO, and NAV, flying F4s, F105s, and F15s. His bravery and unwavering
commitment to his country earned him the reputation of a true “Wild Weasel”, a
title that would come to define his legendary heroism during the Vietnam War.
On October 7, 1967, during his 59th mission, Col. Shamblee's F-105 was struck by
an air-to-air missile while supporting a wing strike. Despite sustaining
career-ending injuries, his unwavering loyalty to "Duty, Honor, Country"
propelled him forward, as he recovered and regained full flying status,
completing an astonishing 100 missions.
Throughout his Air Force career, Col. Shamblee served on various bases,
eventually retiring at Eglin AFB. As a highly decorated leader, he received
multiple recognitions, most notably the Silver Star and Purple Heart – a
testament to his unwavering courage and sacrifice.
Even in retirement, Col. Shamblee's commitment to his country remained
steadfast, as he continued to serve as a defense contractor/engineer for Loral,
Lockheed, and BAE Systems, contributing to the development of the F-16.
Beyond his military achievements, he found joy in the simple pleasures of life.
He loved golf, good meals, good company and good scotch.
As we gather to celebrate his life at the Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 161
Racetrack Rd, on March 29th at 11 am, reception following, we honor his memory
and the impact he made on the world. Col. Shamblee's final resting place will be
at the hallowed grounds of the West Point Academy, where his spirit will forever
stand as a beacon of courage, honor, and unyielding devotion.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the West Point
Chaplain Tithes and Offerings Fund or WPCTOF at 692 Biddle Loop, West Point NY
10996 or
AOG
Memorial Support
To send
flowers to the family or plant
a tree in memory of George Larry Shamblee, please visit
our floral store.
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