Captain Victor Ray Wimpee, U.S.A.F.

Captain Victor Ray Wimpee, U.S. Air Force, joined our Lord in His heavenly kingdom on Monday, July 13, 2020. He was 82 years old.

Victor was born in Gulfport, Mississippi to parents, George and Audrey Wimpee. He attended Memphis State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education as well as a master’s degree in Physical Education and School Administration. During his tenure, he played football for the University and although he was an exceptional football player and had the opportunity to pursue a professional football career, the call of duty took precedence and he reported to Lackland Air Force Base November 9th, 1961. He held the rank of Staff Sergeant during his Officer Training which he completed February 5th, 1962 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on February 6th, 1962. Vic received his orders to Active Duty after his commission and was ordered to report to the 3640th Pilot Training Wing located at the Laredo Air Force Base in Laredo, Texas. While in Laredo, Vic completed the Air Force’s Undergraduate Pilot Training program and received his Air Wings in March 1963. He was promoted to First Lieutenant and became a flight instructor for the squadron. He excelled as a pilot and successfully completed two Pilot Instructor Trainings. On August 6th, 1966, Vic was promoted to the rank of Captain and had earned several awards including the Air Force Longevity Service Award and the National Defense Service Medal. On June 1st, 1967 Vic was honorably discharged from active duty as a Pilot Instructor for the 3640th Squadron and immediately continued with his military duty by serving as a Reconnaissance Pilot for the 106th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron at Sumpter Smith Air National Guard Base in Birmingham, Alabama. Vic received an honorable discharge from the Air National Guard on June 1st, 1971, having faithfully dedicated over nine and a half years of service to his country.

After his military career, he became a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines and then with United Airlines, where he retired in November 2001. During his career as a commercial pilot, he received the Civilian Desert Shield and Desert Storm Medal for his participation in flying the American troops into Riyadh, Dhahran, Al Jubail, and Bahrain during the 1990-1991 Gulf War. After his retirement in 2001 he enjoyed exploring the outdoors with his wife Judith and was an avid fisherman and hunter.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judith Wimpee; his brother, George Regan “Reggie” Wimpee, Jr.; and by his parents, George R., and Audrey H. Wimpee.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughters, Denise (Michael) Bauer and Tracy (Luis) Sanchez; grandchildren, Victoria (Randy) Quartieri, Tyler Bauer, Zachary Bauer, and Tiffany Williams; sister, Frances (Paul) Walker; brother-in-law, Wayne (Cindy) Kalmbach; as well as his first wife and mother of his children, Diana (Robert) Utterback.

The family will be receiving condolences on Thursday morning, July 23, 2020 from 9 to 10:55 a.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Chapel Service will commence at 11 a.m. Military Honors will be provided by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard and the American Legion Post 59 after the Service.

Inurnment will be held at a later date at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Road, Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.