From a book endorsement: "Col. Minett served in Viet Nam as a combat pilot, for a tour of 2 1/2 years starting in 1967, earning 4 rows of medals, including 4 Air Medals and Viet Nam's Combat "V". Upon his return to the U.S. in 1970, he was immediately assigned as Editor of the Aerospace Safety Magazine, at USAF Headquarters. After this assignment, he was assistant Chief-of-Staff at USAF Headquarters, 12th Air Force, Austin, Texas. He retired in 1974."
[ED NOTE: We lost Lt. Col. Minett, and his wife Millie, in 2006...he four months after her. For whatever reason, no Minett obituaries appear on the funeral-home website, which contains about 2,000 of them, going back several years. Buddy Minett has sent us a copy of the eulogy he prepared for his father as well as the wedding photo below. GCW]
"After playing H.S. Football and graduating from Waynesville High School, Cy attended the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill, again playing football. Following a football injury, he successfully tried out for the cheerleading team, ultimately becoming head cheerleader.
"Cy entered pilot training in the US Air Force in 1954, going to Officer Candidate School in San Antonio, where he met is future bride - Mildred Blanche Liddy.
"After a short engagement, they were married on May 28th, 1955, in San Antonio.
"Upon graduation from Basic Training, he was transferred to Greenville AFB in Greenville MS to begin pilot training in AT-6 Texan trainers. He later moved to T-33 jet trainers and ultimately began flying F-102 Fighter Interceptors.
"Stations included: Greenville, MS; Goldsboro, NC; Valdosta, GA; Montgomery, AL; Thule, Greenland; San Antonio, TX; Sherman, TX; Colorado Springs, CO; Montgomery, AL (again), Clark AB, Philippines; Vietnam; Thailand; San Bernardino, CA; and finally Austin, TX, where he retired in 1974.
"Aircraft types flown included: AT-6, T-33, B-25, F-86, F-100, F-102, F-106, F-4, & T-39.
"When he wasn't flying, he was an aviation journalist as editor of the Air Forces' Interceptor Magazine, and Aerospace Safety magazine.
"He also had a stint as General Chuck Yeager's personal pilot while Yeager was the Air Force Inspector General.
"After spending a few years in Austin, Cy and Millie moved to a small ranch in Kerrville, TX, where they raised horses, emus, goats, cows, llamas, sheep, and much more.
"In 1996, they moved to Celina, TX, and in 2000, moved to Frisco, TX.
"Cy and Millie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their entire family on May 29th, 2005.
"Millie passed away in May of 2006.
"Cy is survived by four children, Cyril Jr., Alisa, Sheri, and Michael; and five grand-daughters, Erin, Megan, McKenzie, Jori, and Mattie."
[Dad had a brass plaque of John Gillespie Magee's "High Flight" on his desk and truly loved the poem. It was read at the services.]
SERVICES: Monday, October 2, 2006 - 4 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Chapel.
OFFICIATING: Rev. Dr. Chuck Martin.
INTERMENT: Ridgeview West Memorial Park, Frisco, TX.
San Antonio Express-News
May 23, 2006
Mildred Blanche Minett, age 73 of Frisco, Texas, passed away on May 20, 2006, in Plano. She was born on November 29, 1932, in San Antonio, Texas to John Allen and Esther (Kindle) Liddy. She married Cyril Minett on May 28, 1955, in San Antonio, Texas and together they had two daughters and two sons. Mildred was a nurse and a member of the Catholic faith.
Mildred is survived by her husband, Cyril Minett of Frisco, Texas; daughters, Lisa Jones and husband, Jim of Frisco, Texas, Sheri Jackson and husband Allen of Plano, Texas; sons, Buddy Minett and wife, Joni of Frisco, Texas, Mike Minett of Plano; seven grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton of Plano at 2:00 p.m. with Deacon Tom Roche presiding.
Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow, Frisco, TX 75034 --- (972) 335-2444