Lawson Louis Seyfried

Lawson L. Seyfried, Lt. Col. Ret., USAF

Born 01/22/1922 - Died 08/02/2020

On Sunday night America lost another of its vanishing heros… Those who served in WWII. To family and friends he was known simply as Col. Sy. Born in Pomeroy, Ohio, the 3rd of six children, he showed technical attributes at a very young age and determined that he would one day be a pilot. At 18 he was hired on as an apprentice at the shipyard and was promoted to foreman 6 months later. This position kept him from joining the Air Corps, although he repeatedly tried to join in secret, until he was finally allowed to join Uncle Sam three years later. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and the US Air Force at its inception. Starting as a pilot in 1943 he flew during WWII, Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He transitioned to Civil Engineering and became the first commander of the Red Horse Unit. First on site in Thailand to construct the entire military installation at U-Tapio, he excelled at problem solving and became a highly sought after resource. After 31 years of distinguished service he retired from the Air Force while serving as Commander of the 823 Red Horse Unit at Tyndall Air Force Base. His next professional journey was to work for Gray International in Jakarta and later enjoyed ten years in the Bay County School system as Supervisor of the Maintenance Department. He finally retired, for the last time, in Panama City to enjoy sailing with friends and family, and working in his shop.

He is survived by his daughters Dianna S. Combs and Susan L. Seyfried, her husband Tony Fierro; his grandsons, John B. Combs, Brian S. Combs, his three great-grandsons, Josh, Andrew and Jack Combs. All who knew him loved him and all who loved him will forever miss him.

Kent-Forest Lawn, 2403 Harrison Avenue, 763-4694
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