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The following members of the Class of 1980 are deceased (based on information in the AOG database):
NAME DATE OF DEATH
2LT Russ Altizer 15 Sep 80
1LT Raymond Padro 20 Sep 82
1LT George Hervey 5 Dec 82
CPT Drew Harrington 16 Dec 84
Mr. Ronald DePaul 30 May 87
Mr. Scott Stich 31 May 93
CPT (Ret) Randy Rutledge 28 Jun 95
Mr. Raymond Murchek 26 Mar 96
CPT Rob Doering 16 Jun 98
Mr. George Johnson 7 Dec 00
Mr. Bob Tatu 22 May 01
Bob Tatu (ex G-1) died on 22 May 2001 from stab wounds suffered in the stairwell of his apartment building in Buffalo, New York.  We will always remember Bob for his role in bringing entertainment to the Corps of Cadets at WKDT.  Among his post-USMA accomplishments, Bob served as an aide to the mayor of Buffalo.  Our deepest sympathies go out to Bob's family as we bid farewell to our classmate.

George Edward Johnson (C-3) passed away on Thursday, 7 December 2000 in The Woodlands, TX following a lengthy bout with brain cancer.  George was buried at Fort Sam Houston, TX, on 11 December.  George is survived by his wife, Donna, and children Trent, William, and Diana.

Donna suggested the following charities for those that would like to make donations in George's memory:

Johnson Memorial                    John Cooper School
Lord of Life Luthern Church       Habitat for Humanity Project
3801 S. Panther Creek             IMO: George Johnson
The Woodlands, TX 77381        1 John Cooper Drive
281-367-7016                        The Woodlands, TX  77381
                                           281-367-0900


The following cadet members of the Class of 1980 died before reaching Graduation:
NAME DATE OF DEATH
Mr. James Davis 2 Jan 77
CDT Richard Mull 20 May 77
CDT Charles Pendleton 3 Jan 78
CDT Charles Montoya 8 Sep 79
CDT Reginald Johnson 11 Apr 80

As was written in our Howitzer by Lloyd Miles:

Farewell, young knights!
Forgive me for these solemn tears I cry.
But who would not cry for friends
Who knew the same fears,
Shared the same experiences,
Felt the same pride,
And heard the same fading echo
Of a Corps long dead.
Somehow it does not seem right
That four knights so young in years
Should feel an icy dart from Death.
And fall beneath his shade
While he pursues his timeless course.
And yet, in spite of the tears,
I know that Death's triumph
Will be short-lived.
For soon you will conquer Death
And live a life that will not end,
Filled with love and bliss,
Far greater than we who live
Below your new home
Could ever dream of.
No longer will you feel
The pains of a world dying in sin,
Or the crimes of man against man.
Your new home will be
More than a paradise to you,
With sights more beautiful
Than the golden sunset,
Sounds more sweet
Than the song of the morning bird.
And all of this, until time itself,
Is no more.
Perhaps, it is you,
Who should be crying . . . for us. 
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Last updated on 05 January 2002