John Davis MIZE

MIZE, MORGAN, EDWARDS, DUNIVAN

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 6/19/2012 at 18:46:17

January 2, 1939 ---- June 15, 2012

BELMOND, IA — John D. Mize, 73, of Belmond, Iowa, died Friday, June 15, 2012, at the Belmond Medical Center following a battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 20, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 304 Third Ave. N.E., Belmond. Carolyn Pflibsen, AIM, will be officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Belmond Cemetery. Visitation will be today, Tuesday, June 19, from 4:30-7 p.m., at the Andrews Funeral Home, 516 First St. S.E., Belmond, and continue one hour prior to the services at church Wednesday.

John Davis Mize, the son of John and Louila (Morgan) Mize, was born Jan. 2, 1939, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He grew up in the Shreveport area, graduating from Fair Park High School. John received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Louisiana State University-Natchitoches and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University, San Francisco, California.

John was united in marriage to Joan Lee Edwards on March 14, 1964, in Fort Dodge. They were blessed with two children, a son, Arthur Thomas, and daughter, Laura Elizabeth. John served in the United States Air Force for 22 years. His military career began during the Vietnam War era in New Orleans, La., on Sept. 28, 1962, and continued until he was honorably discharged with the rank of major on July 31, 1984, at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. John was a B-52 bomber pilot during the war and successfully flew nearly 300 missions in the combat areas. John and his crew’s amazing story was featured in Air Force Magazine in an article titled “The Seventh Man.” Among his decorations are the Air Force Cross (the first Strategic Air Command person so honored), the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 15 clusters and the Purple Heart. Following his retirement from the military, John was an agent with Principal Life Insurance in Rapid City, S.D., a B-52 flight simulator instructor at Wurtsmith AFB in Oscoda, Mich., and he also worked for Eaton Corporation in Belmond, for 10 years prior to retiring.

John was very active in civic life as leader of the Boy Scouts of America and was a Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow. He was active in the community and his church. He served on the Trinity Lutheran Church council, sang in the choir, ran the sound system and served on the Belmond Community Apartments Board. He served the community as a Care Car Driver and made deliveries for the Belmond Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. John and Joan enjoyed raising their two children, often spending time camping and fishing. After retiring, the couple spent time traveling and John especially loved spending time with his granddaughter Avery. John will be remembered a dignified gentleman, who cared deeply for his family and fellow man. His friendly manner, warm smile, twinkling eyes, wit and character, will be missed by all who were privileged to know him.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 48 years, Joan Mize, Belmond, son Arthur Mize, Ferndale, Michigan, daughter, Laura Mize and granddaughter Avery Mize, both of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., and a sister Sandra (Don) Dunivan, Shreveport, Louisiana, and other extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorials in John’s name may be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church, Belmond Medical Center Auxiliary, ELCA World Hunger, or donor’s own choice. Andrews Funeral Home, Belmond, Iowa.

June 19, 2012
Mason City Globe Gazette - Iowa