CONFIRMED: Stanley D Gleason, Retired, Veteran, US Air Force, Vietnam (25-25) 4 Feb 25
8008 Military Dr W
San Antonio, TX 78227
USA
US AIR FORCE RETIRED VETERAN – VIETNAM WAR
The family of Mr. Stanley D Gleason, a US Air Force (Ret.) Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard at the services and LEO supported procession, and graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one. We are honored to accept this invitation.
Stanley Duane Gleason died peacefully at his home outside Natalia, Texas, on the morning of Jan. 12, 2025. “Sid,” as he was known to his family members and many friends, was born on May 16, 1935, in Ocheyedan, Iowa. He was the son of Myron Gleason and Isabell Vellema, neé Bonsma, but he always considered his uncle, August “Uncle Gus” Bonsma, as the guiding male figure of his early years.
Sid was preceded in death by his mother and father and his Uncle Gus, by his beloved wife of 54 years, Lois Jean Gleason, who died in 2011; by a brother, James Vellema, and by a beloved daughter-in-law, Paula Gleason, who was married to his son Walter.
Sid graduated from Worthington High School in Worthington, Minnesota, as a 17-year-old in 1952 and immediately joined the United States Air Force at 17 years and two months old, after receiving a written waiver from his mother. After going through basic training, and tech school, he was deployed to serve in Korea, but arrived there just after the armistice was signed and returned to the United States. Sid served as an “APG,” an airplane mechanic, during his 20 years in the USAF. In the summer of 1965, he was deployed to Da Nang in central Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. In July 1969, Sid was deployed to Osan Air Base in Korea, where the aircraft he maintained were used to ferry United Nations personnel to and from the base and Tokyo. During his two decades of service to his country, Sid was stationed most often at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio. Sid retired from the Air Force in July 1972 with the rank of technical sergeant. During his service, he was awarded the following medals: the Air Force Commendation Medal, awarded in 1966; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster, awarded in 1967; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Korea), Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with three bronze stars; Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters; and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters from 1968 to 1971.
After his retirement, Sid went to work for the Dee Howard Company, based at the San Antonio International Airport, where he maintained business jets until retiring from the company in 2006. Sid also worked for Aeronev in San Antonio, maintaining aircraft. Sid retired permanently shortly after the death of his wife in 2011.
Sid loved woodworking and fixing things, and his family remembers him as a “master tinkerer.” He loved to travel, often returning to visit family members in the upper Midwest. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Sid loved watching sports. His favorite sport was baseball, and his favorite major league team was the Cleveland Indians (now the Cleveland Guardians). He also enjoyed football and cheered on the Minnesota Vikings and the Dallas Cowboys.
Left to cherish his memory are his sisters, LaVonne Dykstra of Bigelow, Minn.; and Linda “Lynn” Brooker and her husband Lucius of Aurora, Colo. Also, his daughter, Barbara Jean Cruz and her husband James of Bandera, Texas; his sons, Walter Andrew Gleason Sr. of San Antonio, Texas; Michael Duane Gleason of Natalia, Texas, and his wife Karen, of Del Rio, Texas; Kelly Stuart Gleason and his wife Melissa of Bulverde, Texas; and Terry Alan Gleason and his wife Dawn of San Antonio, Texas; and a nephew, Roger Burton, of San Antonio, Texas. Sid is survived by the following grandchildren: Michelle Weitzel, Jason Alan Qualls, Samantha Lynette Gleason, Scott Andrew Gleason, Walter Andrew Gleason Jr., Timothy Michael Gleason, Devon Gleason, Brandon Gleason, Sean Gleason, and Justin Gleason, as well as by the following great-grandchildren: Cheyenne Weitzel, Kasey Weitzel, David Weitzel, Lexton Gleason, Finn Chetwood, Cameron Conway, Cayden Kammer, Aylah Stasey and Elliott Gleason.
WEATHER: Hi 79 / Lo 66, 0 % Chance of Rain, 95 % Humidity, Wind: 4 mph SSE
REQUESTOR: Terry Gleason, Son
STAGING: 11:00 am, Tuesday, February 4, 2025
Castle Ridge Mortuary
8008 West Military Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78227
https://goo.gl/maps/46HMDbs16y4mBCni9
BRIEFING: 11:15 am
SERVICE: 12:00 pm
Castle Ridge Mortuary
8008 West Military Drive
San Antonio, Texas 78227
https://goo.gl/maps/46HMDbs16y4mBCni9
KSU: 1:45 pm (Semper Gumby)
INTERMENT: 2:30 pm – Shelter #3 (Call to Verify)
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Road
San Antonio, Texas 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/kQ68VALuUAptXpgS9
RC: Lisa “Fancy Pants” Menard
pgr.lisamenard@gmail.com
FC: Rich “Richie Rich” Pachecano
rich@pachecano.net
ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.
2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.
3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!
***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.
At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.
If you choose to fly a Flag on your bike you are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring it is secured and not a danger to any other rider or traffic.
Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Asst. State Captain
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Dignity, Honor, Respect
Cell: 562-413-2223
“We can’t all be heroes. Some of us get to stand on the curb and clap as they go by.”
Will Rogers