Jack Dale Vandigriff, Sr.

Mr. Jack Dale Vandigriff, Sr. age 75, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Sunday, March 21, 2010, in Biloxi, MS. Mr. Vandigriff proudly served thirty years in the U.S. Air Force in the Air Traffic Control Career Area as a student, controller, supervisor, instructor and chief controller. He was a Korean and Vietnam Veteran, having received the Small Arms Expert Markmanship ribbon, NCO Professional Military Education ribbon, Good Conduct medal (Army) with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Force Longevity Service Award with six oak leaf clusters, National Defense Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, Vietnam Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor and three oak leaf clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallentry Cross with devices, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster and Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Vandigriff worked as an Air Traffic Instructor at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, OK., from 1982-1984. He resigned to take a position at the Air Traffic Control School at Keesler AFB in 1984. He continued there until his retirement in 1996, a forty four year career in Air Traffic Control. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie L. Vandigriff and Ollie Mae Vandigriff, son, Patrick Wayne Vandigriff, brothers, Clifton R. (Bud) Vandigriff and Leslie L. Vandigriff, Jr., and two sisters, Barbara Champ and Dorothy Jean Vandigriff. Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Loraine Bond Vandigriff of Ocean Springs, daughter, Susan Carol Vandigriff of Gloucester, VA., son, Jack Dale Vandigriff, Jr., of Vancleave, two brothers, Bill Vandigriff and R.L. Vandigriff, six grandchildren, Jack Dale Vandigriff III, Jason Edwards Vandigriff, Shauna (Justin) Vandigriff-Gollott, Joseph (Sonresa) Vandigriff, Sarah Vandigriff and Samantha Vandigriff, and two great-grandchildren, Lilly and Shiloh Cole-Vandigriff. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 25, 2010, from 1 p.m ~ 2 p.m., with a 2 p.m. Memorial Service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Crestlawn Memorial Park.