Lt. Col. Ret. Alan D. Milacek

The Funeral services celebrating and honoring the life of Lt. Col. Ret. Alan D. Milacek, 77, of Waukomis will be held 2:00 P.M. Monday in the First United Methodist Church of Enid with Pastor Susan Southall officiating and Pastor Sam Powers of Edmond co-officiating. The graveside service will follow in the Waukomis Cemetery. Family visitation will be held 5-7 P.M. Sunday February 26, 2017 in the Brown-Cummings Funeral Home. Services are under the direction of Brown-Cummings Funeral Home.

Alan was born February 23, 1940 to Leon George and Margie Geist Milacek in Enid and passed from this life on his 77th birthday, February 23, 2017 in Enid.

He was raised and educated in Waukomis, graduating from Waukomis High School in 1958.  He married the love of his life for over 56 years, Pat Hane, September 4, 1960 in the Salem United Methodist Church of Drummond. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with his bachelor’s degree in 1963.

That same year he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He graduated from Vance Air Force pilot training class in 1964.  He attended Webster College and received his Master's Degree in 1976. He was a highly-decorated pilot flying in 54 countries. Alan logged more than 6000 hours, 500 of which were in combat during the Vietnam conflict. During flight 883, he flew his aircraft and crew back safely despite missing 17 1/2 feet of its right wing, a feat that he always credited God for.  He and his crew were presented the Mackay Trophy in 1970 at the United States Pentagon for the most meritorious flight of the year. The trophy now resides in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.  He shared his story of flight, valor, and faith in seven states and to countless audiences.

While in the military he was a C-141 flight examiner, a CINCMAC pilot, C-141 wing training officer, and Commander of the 443rd Technical Training Squadron.

His military decorations include the MacKay Trophy for 1970, Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 12 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 7 oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with palm device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

After his retirement from the Air Force at the rank of Lt. Col. he farmed and raised cattle for the next 25 years in Waukomis, OK.  He loved God first. He loved his family second and always showed it by his actions, always attending his grandchildren's activities, especially Drummond sports and FFA. He loved and served his country third. His fourth love was golf. He was the volunteer Drummond Golf Coach for five years.

Alan was a certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, a Gideon, and a Stephen Minister.  He was a member of Garfield County Rural Rotatory, former Drummond Co-Op Board Member, former board member of the Garfield County Industrial Authority, and former Board Member of the United Methodist "Commons". He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a 25 year Sunday School teacher and also received the Honorary State FFA Degree.  Alan also enjoyed traveling the country with his wife in the Excel Plus R.V. Camping Club. Alan served in the ministry field ministering the word of God in prisons.

He is survived by his wife Pat, of the home.  Daughters; Christine Kokojan and husband Greg of Drummond and Diane Pool and husband Trevor of Waukomis. Grandchildren: Garrett Pool, Mallory Pool, Chase Kokojan, Brady Kokojan, Mandy Kokojan Mathis, and Misty Kokojan. Sister: Barbara Schwindt and husband Robert of Colorado, Sister-in-laws Mary Jo Milacek, and Mary Ann Milacek both of Colorado, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and hundreds of friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Carl George Milacek and Leon Alan Milacek.

Memorials may be made in his name to the Gideon’s, Alan Milacek Drummond High School Athletic Scholarship Fund, or to the First United Methodist Church of Enid with Brown-Cummings Funeral Home serving as custodians of the funds.

Condolences to the family may be made online to the family at WWW.Brown-Cummings.com