Obituary of Raymond W. Komnick

Our beloved Raymond W. Komnick, Lt. Col. (Ret) U.S. Air Force, age 82, of Austin, Texas, was called home by our Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 11, 2017.

Raymond was born at home in New York City on May 25, 1934. His parents moved the family to Utica, New York in 1942. Raymond graduated from Utica Free Academy in 1951 and from The New York State Institute of Applied Arts and Sciences in 1953.

He entered the United States Air Force as an Aviation Cadet in July 1953. Raymond went on to complete basic training in San Antonio, Texas; and his flight training in Harlingen, Texas. He then received both his commission as a Second Lieutenant, and his wings, in September 1954. He spent his first four years in Air Rescue Service, with duty stations in both England and parts of Europe. For the next 16 years he was in the Strategic Air Command, retiring in September, 1973, having amassed 5,150 hours of flying time. Raymond spent 13 months in Vietnam, with 119 combat sorties (’68-’69). He was a member of various associations, including: Air Force Assoc., Military Officers’  Assoc. of America, and was a charter sponsor of the Air Force Memorial Foundation. Among his many awards were the AF Meritorious Medal, the AF Medal, AF Outstanding Unit Citation, AF Commendation Medal w/oak leaf cluster, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 oak leaf clusters, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force.

Post retirement, Raymond spent 8 years in Civilian Aviation Management. He was a former Manager of the Kokomo Airport and past President of the Aviation Association of Indiana . He was given the State Aviation Special Recognition Award in 1980. Ray was also a long-time fan of the drum & bugle corps activity and actively attended shows throughout the country with his family. He would eventually serve as a volunteer for the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps for several years in support of his son who was a member. In 1998, Ray and Marion moved to Austin to be close to family. While in Austin, they were active in the Onion Creek community and Ray served several terms as president of the Onion Creek One Homeowners Association.

Ray was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Marion Anne Komnick; and by his parents, Anthony and Anna Dlugolecki Komnick.

He is survived by his children, Pamela Komnick, Jennifer (Robert) Lenich, Christopher (Julie) Komnick; his grandchildren, Jordan Komnick, Ian Lenich, and Madison Komnick; his siblings, Francis (Phyllis) Komnick, Lorraine (Jake) Descutner; as well as numerous other loving family and friends.

Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, May 15, 2017 at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 4311 Small Ave., Austin, Texas 78731. Graveside Service with Air Force Honors will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery. Services entrusted to Mission Funeral Home - South Side.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation in Ray’s honor to the Madison Scouts at www.MadisonScouts.org or The Air Force Memorial Foundation at www.airforcememorial.org.

Please visit www.missionmemorials.com to offer condolences.

To all who have climbed sunward and chased the shouting wind, America stops to say your service and sacrifice will be remembered forever.