Vick Moreno

OBITUARY

VICTOR RALPH (VIC) MORENO

Victor Ralph (Vic) Moreno, Jr., died peacefully at his home Saturday, November 4, 2017, of an aggressive form of lung cancer. He was 74, and was surrounded by family members at the time of his death.

Vic left this world a better place. He was a quiet man who lived his values: work hard, spend wisely, laugh at the little things, and above all, love your neighbor and help others. He was a long-time member of Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

Born April 13, 1943, in Garcia, Colorado, Vic was the first of seven children born to Victoriano and Evangelina Pacheco Moreno. He grew up in Weatherford, Texas, leaving school early to work and help support the family.

In 1961, at the age of 17, he joined the United States Air Force and launched a 20-year career, beginning as an aircraft technician and retiring as a specialist and instructor on in-flight refueling systems and a master instructor and instructor supervisor on aircraft pneudraulic systems. When he retired at Chanute Air Force Base, IL, effective September 1, 1981, MSgt. Vic Moreno was cited for his loyalty, devotion to duty, technical knowledge, flight-line experience, and numerous contributions to Air Force mission accomplishment. In particular, he was recognized for helping to re-write the Specialty Knowledge Test, used to determine promotion standing, for the pneudraulic career field for 1979-80.

During his military career, he received numerous honors and distinctions, including the Air Force Commendation Medal for meritorious service from 1970-71 at Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam, where his skills and initiative helped to identify and solve numerous problems that contributed significantly to the success of the U.S. Air Force mission in Southeast Asia. He also was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; the Vietnam Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Other honors Vic earned include the Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Military Education Ribbon, the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Air Force Presidential Unit Citation, the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor.

Vic’s assignments included special operations at Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam; flying crew at McClellan Air Force Base, CA; aircraft pneudraulics shift leader at Udorn, Thailand; aircraft pneudraulics at Columbus Air Force Base, MS; and master instructor and instructor supervisor on aircraft pneudraulic systems at Chanute Air Force Base, IL.

Following retirement from the Air Force, Vic opened Airways TV just outside the gate of Columbus AFB; he moved the business to his home in 1988, when he returned to aircraft hydraulics as a civil service employee, first of Northrop, and later of Dyncorp, Raytheon, and L3. During this second career in hydraulics, he was recognized for his strong electronics/electric background, for careful documentation of data, and for identifying and resolving complex problems with landing gear, flight control and electrical systems.

While working for Dyncorp, he attended schools for T-37 and T-38 hydraulic and environmental systems, and in 2007 assisted in investigating the loss of T-38 aircraft. He built a T-37 flap tester that reduced rolling and blow-up problems, eliminated a backlog of T-37 brakes salvage parts, initiated ideas to improve T-38 brake reliability, and designed and built test boxes for Columbus AFB’s first IFF Weapons systems.

During this period, he contracted with West Point TV and Appliance for15 years to service televisions and other electronics, and also contracted to perform the same service for local hospitals and hotels in the Golden Triangle. He finally retired from civil service in May of 2017.

Vic was naturally curious and a lifelong learner. Throughout his military and post-military careers in aircraft hydraulics, he attended numerous schools and training programs to hone his skills. Away from work, when he took on a project at home or to help a friend, Vic often taught himself, researching online and then mapping out detailed plans, which he always executed precisely.

His fascination with radios began when he was a teenager; unable to afford a radio for his car, he brought one home from the junkyard, tinkered with it, and ultimately installed it in his vehicle. Most recently, he took up ham radio, passing the first level of testing and greatly enjoying the camaraderie of new friends with the amateur radio club of Columbus.

One of Vic’s greatest delights, though, was to make people laugh. Exchanges with family members, friends and strangers often were lightened by a story, quip or rapid comeback from Vic, who considered it a compliment to be told he was “crazy.”

He is predeceased by his parents and by two brothers, Sgt. Richard Moreno and Theodore Moreno, and a sister, E. Theresa Claunch, all of Weatherford, TX.

He is survived by his wife of ten years, Cynthia Kerstetter Moreno (Cindy), and three children from his marriage to the late Jo Ann Moreno: Victor Ralph Moreno III (Abbie) of Breckinridge, CO; Douglas Robinson (Jeannie) of Hattiesburg, MS; and Pamela Maxwell (Robert) of Cleveland, MS. He is survived also by granddaughters Abbie Johnson (Cory) of Hattiesburg,             Amber Cooley (Matt) of Sumrall, Nikki Robinson of Starkville, and Rachael Moreno of Columbus; and great granddaughters Adleigh Cooley and Kynleigh Cooley, both of Sumrall.

Vic also leaves behind a brother, Robert F. Moreno (Miguela) of Weatherford, TX, three sisters, M. Loretta Alemar (Tony) of Williamsburg, CO, B. Jane Aguirre (Richard) of Brady, TX, and Mary Lee Anderson (Keith) of Isanti, MN, an uncle, Reymundo Moreno of San Antonio, TX, and several nieces and nephews. In addition, he leaves two sisters- and three brothers-in-law, as well as numerous nieces and nephews, through his marriage to Cindy; all loved and respected Vic beyond measure.

Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 7, 2017, at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home, College St. location. The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, November 8, 2017, at Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home College St.; burial with U.S. Air Force honors will be held at 2 p.m. at the Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Newton, MS.

Pall bearers will be Keith Anderson, Joe Bernardo, John Bernardo, Matt Cooley, Cory Johnson and Robert Maxwell. Honorary pallbearers will be the men of Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the staff of Old Hickory Steak House.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in memory of Vic Moreno to the Columbus Humane Society, 50 Airline Road, Columbus, MS 39702; Homes for our Troops, 6 Main Street, Taunton, MA 02780; or Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3044 Wolfe Road, Columbus, MS 39705.