John Greathouse

John P. Greathouse, a retired Coast Guard Pilot, died Friday, August 30th at Biloxi VA from complications of Alzeimer's disease. He was 86. Mr. Greathouse was born in Wills Point, Texas and lived in Biloxi for 26 years. He was a CG WWII veteran and attended Texas A&M. A man of very humble beginnings, he accomplished many records for the USCG. He was the first man to bail out of a helicopter and had the most flight hours on record at the time of his retirement in 1979. He was the last enlisted pilot among any of the military services. He is honored at the Pensacola Naval Air Museum and alongside the Wright Brothers in Kitty Hawk, N.C. The Coast Guard Station in Mobile, AL. dedicated its main boulevard after him. He was preceded in death by his brother's Hubbard and Reginald Greathouse. Survivors include his beloved wife of 58 years, Doris R. Greathouse and four loving children and grandson, Terrre Matranga, John Greathouse, Jr. Gina F. Greathouse, James F. Greathouse, and Matthew Greathouse. Family services were held at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home on Pass Road, Biloxi with Church of Christ Minister, Roger Mills, on September 23, 2005. He was laid to rest at Biloxi National Cemetery. He is greatly loved by his family and will be sadly missed.