Julius Henry "Jack" Almond, Jr., Lt. Col. (Ret.), 90, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, June 12, 2012, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, surrounded by his loving family. He was a member of the "Greatest Generation", that group of men who were born in the prosperous times of the 1920's, enduring the hard times of The Depression of the 1930's, and upon graduation from high school, had to defend their country along with the rest of the peace-loving world against Nazi tyranny during World War II. Jack was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on April 19, 1922 to Julius and Mary (Beasley) Almond. Raised in Enid from early childhood, he was a graduate of Enid High, Class of 1940, after which he attended the University of Oklahoma for two years where he pledged with the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, and has always been a proud "FIJI". In 1942 he enlisted in the Army Air Corps, training to be a fighter pilot, and upon graduation from flight school in 1943, he was assigned to the 365th Fighter Group in England, flying a P-47 Thunderbolt he aptly named "Sweet Sue" after his future wife. Known as the "Hellhawks", this group eventually advanced to France after D-Day, where Jack flew his plane over the beaches of Normandy to protect and provide air cover for he ground troops below. In addition, he flew 94 missions over France, Belgium, and Germany before his tour was up in October 1944 after which he went home to the states. For his bravery in action, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal, along with many other citations and awards. On April 5, 1945, he married his wartime sweetheart, Virginia Susan Tankersley, or "Sue", a beautiful southern belle from Richmond, Virginia. They soon settled down in Boulder, Colorado where Jack finished up his Engineering degree at the University of Colorado. After being called up once again during the Korean War to train new pilots in San Antonio, he was back in the Air Force, eventually making a career as a civil engineer. Jack and Sue's family grew with four wonderful children, living in such varied locales as Alaska, Colorado, Spain, Kansas, Washington, D.C., Libya, Germany, and Hawaii, before Jack's retirement in 1972. He and Sue then moved to their current home in Oklahoma City, where he was Director of the Water Department for the City of Oklahoma City until his second retirement in 1984. Jack will always be remembered for his love of all music, and was an accomplished pianist, primarily playing jazz and being able to spice up any song he played with an amazing bit of improvisational style which came so easy to him. He was a member of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, delivered Mobile Meals through and as a member of the Church of the Resurrection, and later was a member of All Souls Episcopal. He was also an active volunteer at Mercy Hospital for 21 years. He and Sue, and later on, his children, attended many "Hellhawk" reunions in various locales across the country. He was always happy to revisit old times with his war buddies. He was always tech-savvy, and with his sharp mind loved to keep up with the latest in everything, and at the age of 90 was enjoying his computer, I-phone, and I-pad right along with his children and grandchildren. Jack is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Sue; his loving children, John (and wife Patty), Austin, TX, Mary Sue Corpion (and husband Raul) Plano, TX, Bud (and wife Lisa), Jenks, OK, and Jeffrey, Plano, TX; sisters, Vayann Gray, Evergreen CO, and Mimi Traxler (and husband Roger), Tryon, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren, Kira Hartgrove (and husband Todd), Erika Hultsman, all of Dallas, TX, Weston Almond, Caldwell, KS, Jarrett Almond and Jana Almond, both of Austin, TX, Maly Almond, Renfrow, OK, Meghan Almond and Grayson Almond, Plano, TX. Also surviving are great-granddaughters, Luna and Belle Hartgrove, Dallas, TX. In addition, also surviving are Mimi Abell (and husband Russ) and their children Marcos and Katalina, South Berwick, ME, and Chris Dunning (and wife Laurie), and their son Luke, Edmond, OK. Funeral to be held at All Souls Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City, Friday, June 15, at 10:00 AM.