Harlan Drewry's Obituary
HARLAN J. DREWRY completed this life’s journey on December 6, 2010. He was born on February 20, 1942 in Christmasville, TN to Joe C. Drewry and Stella Mann Drewry. He graduated from Messick High School and Memphis State University. He enlisted in the USN Reserve in 1959 and was transferred to the USAF Reserve in 1962. While on active duty with the USAF, he completed pilot training and went on to fly the B52, RF4C and C124 aircraft. Flying 155 combat missions in the RF4C during the Vietnam War, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 8 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart. He ended his military service with the TN ANG in 1975. After returning from SE Asia, he began a career as an Air Traffic Controller with the Federal Aviation Administration, retiring in 2003 as an Operations Manager at the Memphis ARTCC. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Sandra Lee Drewry; a son, Brian Drewry; and a daughter, Robin Drewry Wassenberg, and his beloved grandchildren, Caroline, William, and Hollie. He is also survived by his two brothers, Ron Drewry and Jeff Drewry; and one sister, Carol Drewry Turner. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, December 9 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. There will be a graveside service at 11 a.m., Friday, December 10 in Memorial Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the American Cancer Society.
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