Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society

Ed Gunter

President, EAPLS (Raven FACs)

Charlie Jones Memorial Scholarship ($2000)

Charles Larimore Jones, age 74, resident of Navarre passed away early Thursday morning, November 23, 2006, on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Born May 14, 1932 in Bridgeport, Jackson County, Alabama, Charles was the fifth of six children born to Shell D. and Edna Jones.
Charles loved military service and education, but he was first and foremost a devoted Christian. As an active member of the Church of Christ, Fort Walton Beach, he taught Sunday School and loved singing. His distinguished military career spanned over 20 years during which time he earned numerous combat decorations and military awards. After serving 17 years in the Air Force as a Combat Controller and 3 years in the Army as a Green Beret, he earned several education degrees including Master of Science, with emphasis on criminal justice, Troy State University; Education Specialist, Troy State University; Doctor of Education, Auburn University; and Juris Doctor, Jones School of Law, Faulkner University. At the time of his passing, he was Adjunct Professor, Jones School of Law and Associate Professor Emeritus, Troy State University.
Charlie was an active member of the Air Commando Association, Combat Control Association, Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 in AL, and the Alabama Peace Officers.
Throughout his extensive military, educational and criminal justice careers, Charles maintained a sincere compassion for others and a wonderful sense of humor.
Survivors include his wife, Sara "Sugie" Jones; children, Rosemary and husband, Dr. Mark Hilliard, Charles "Chuck" Jones, Jr.; Kevin and wife, Valerie Jones, Tim and wife Kim Jacobsen, and Tara Jacobsen; grandchildren, Mark Aaron and wife Celeste Hilliard, Jessa and husband Jay Sexton, Seth Jones, Lauren Jones, Lucas Jones, Cory Jacobsen and Kyle Jacobsen; sisters, Caroline and husband Al Thompson, Bobbie and husband Zack Knight; brother, Gordon Jones; sisters in law, Wynene and husband Charles Dyess, Mary and husband Dois Watson; and numerous nieces, nephews and other loving family members.

Yia Vang from Stockton, CA

Plans to attend Univ of Calif, Davis

Raven Gene Hamner presenting the award to Yia and Parents

Michael Stearns Memorial Scholarship ($1000)

THOUGHTS BY WINNIE FOR U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY-3/2007

Michael Lewis Stearns, class of "69, died  11/18/2006 in Houston, Texas.  He is

survived by wife Winnie, son Troy and wife Robyn,daughter Kelli and husband

Michael Farrias, 6 grandchildren: Rebekah, Rachel, Cody, Cameron, Alexis, and

Cory, parents Glendon and Margaret Stearns, sister Judy Stearns, brother John

Stearns.

Among Mike's many happy memories at the "Academy"  included receiving the Symons

Wave Memorial plaque for soaring at 30,000 feet!  Mike was late getting back to the

academy, but he didn't get into trouble because he broke the soaring record!  Mike

accepted the duty of interviewing perspective applicants of the Academy for his State of

Texas.  In addition to his education at the Asademy, Mike obtained his law degree and

 accounting degree from the University of Houston.

Grandson Cody shares his "Papa's" love of airplanes.  Papa took then 11 year old Cody

 to the Academy, and then for his first Colorado ski trip.  Papa even taught Cody to fly

 flight simulators on the computer.  Papa did special things like this for each of his

 grandchildren! Mike was very athletic, and liked most sports.  Mike kept the grandkids

 busy doing some sport.

Mike was a special guy!  He was about as red blooded American as you could find, yet

always mild mannered, soft spoken, and almost shy in his demeanor. You would never

guess that  Mike Stearns was a war hero, a decorated combat aviator, fearsome warrior.

He volunteered for some of the most dangerous aviation combat duty in the CIA  as a

member of the famous  Ravens and the Rustics in Viet Nam! Among his 35 medals are

3 purple hearts, 3 distinctive flying crosses, 9 air medals.  Mike shared that once

when  he was shot down in battle, he saw a hugh angel in front of his airplane. He said

it was larger  than the Sam Houston Monument.  He said his life flashed before him and

he thought he was  going to die.  Mike was a very smart and perspective guy, and he

let that experience impact  how he planned the remainder of his life. Mike said he

sought God, and God did a 180 degree  turn in Mike Stearns' "likes".

Mike wanted to be able to deal directly with people, and  “rescue them from the

unscrupulous jaws of the law”.  He first worked for the IRS, then a national accounting

firm before launching off on his own.  Mike became one of the few lawyers in Texas

whose specialty was to practice in the tax courts as a Board Certified Tax Lawyer, 

Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and a  CPA .  He became well-known for his

expertise in the field of tax law.  He wrote 3 books on tax law, taught at several

colleges, one of them University of Houston.  Mike was a compassionate and gutsy

guy.  The client’s ability to pay was a secondary consideration for Mike, because his

own habits and needs were so Spartan and pure.  He did not lust for things, money, or

power.  He was not cheap, he just didn’t care about the trappings or appearance of

money or wealth. He lived much closer to the truths of  life than  those things.  Mike’s

moral and intellectual compass was clear.  He marched only to the cadence of his

own conscience.  He was plain and simple and totally sure that he knew who he was.

He was comfortable  in his own skin. 

Mike's goals found in his briefcase after his death were to (1)be a better parent to his

adult children, and (2) to be a Bible teacher.  He was a wonder parent, and he taught

Sunday School for many years.  One of Mike's clients told me that the IRS came out

and put a notice of seizure on her home, and she called another attorney to see who

could help her.  She was told "Mike Stearns".  She taught  Sunday School with a

Mike Stearns, but she didn't think it could be him.  He was so humble, and she said

she even saw him get tears in his eyes during his teaching the children.  It turned out

is was the Sunday School teacher she worked with.  Mike listed under his goals

(1)skiing, and (2) practicing law  in the tax courts as his likes.  What a guy!!

Mike loved his family, his God, and his country.   His wife was his love and partner

in life.  His children and grandchildren were his joys and rewards.   Mike did his duty

for his country, his family and friends, and walked the talk of his God.  What a legacy

he leaves to all who knew him!! Mike had his priorities in the right order.  You can go

to:  LEGACY.COM to see more about Mike and  to contact his family.

( By:  Winnie Stearns, blessed to have had Mike as a Godly companion for 30 years!)

Pa Chia Vue from Corona, CA

Plans to attend Univ of Calif, Irvine

Dale Richardson Memorial Scholarship ($500)

My Dad retired as a major in 1970 out of Loring AFB in Maine. He has five very successful sons who will miss him very much. He was always there for us with his unconditional love and advice for life. He will be sorely missed. He liked talking about his days as a B-52 pilot and of course his tour in Laos as a Raven. He really wouldn't get into too many details but he did tell us a few wild stories here and there. I personally remember him talking about how he use to fly over enemy camps early in the morning, allow them to wake up and get into their gun positions, before he would swoop in with a few rounds prior to calling in air support. I thought that was pretty sporty of him. Major Dale F. Richardson will be laid to rest (Interment w/cremated remains) with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery on September 18th at 9:00 EST. Dale is survived by his five sons, two brothers, one sister, and seven grandkids. He passed away unexpectedly but peacefully and will be remembered for doing life on his own terms since he retired. Dale's sacrifices for our country and his family will always be appreciated and remembered dearly. >> 

Parina Douangdara from Amarillo, TX

Plans to attend Baylor University

Stanley Erstad Memorial Scholarship ($500)

Song Kue from Acworth, GA

Plans to atttend University of Georgia

Shakey Hart Memorial Scholarship ($500)

Mong Vang from Santa Ana, CA

Plans to attend University of California, Riverside

Shakey Hart Memorial Scholarship ($500)

Tang Khang from Portland, OR

Plans to attend Mount Hood Community College

Raven Art Cornelius presenting the award to Tang Khang