| Graduation Year | Class of 1971 |
| Date of Passing | Feb 21, 2017 |
| About | Stanley Dean Pike, 64, of Suffield, Ohio, passed away on Feb. 21, 2017. Born in Austin, Minnesota, on Feb. 4, 1953, he was the son of the late Wilfred “Bill” and Edith Pike. Stan worked for his family’s businesses, Pike Transportation and Pike’s Family Carwash, in Austin for a short time before leaving for New Ulm, Minnesota, where he began his education. From a young age, Stanley had a passion for aviation, especially lighter-than-air. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol, earned a single engine pilot’s license, a hot air balloon pilot’s license and operated a balloon of his own. He had a keen interest in electronics and television technologies and gained an FCC 1st Class Radio License. Combining his two loves, lighter-than-air and electronics, Pike enjoyed a long and productive career with the Goodyear blimps. He worked on all of Goodyear’s domestic blimp operations in California, Texas, Ohio and Florida. He rose to the rank of Chief Electronics and T.V. Technician, retiring from Goodyear Airship Operations in Suffield in May 2014 with 42 years of service. He flew countless hours in various models of the Goodyear blimps doing live television and lighted sign events. He was an expert in airship ground support systems. He is the only person in Goodyear Airship Operations to have worked on the GZ-19A, GZ-20, GZ-20A, GZ-22 and the LZ-N07-101 Zeppelin model airships. He had a short film career, playing the spoons as an act in the “Gong Show” movie. In retirement, he pursued his interest in history, especially the Civil War and investigating paranormal activities. He was a warm, considerate and very, very funny person; he did his best for his family and friends. He will be sorely missed by all that knew him and by people that were lucky to call him friend. Stanley has departed on his final flight and joins his one true love, his wife Darlene, a life completed. God bless you Stan Pike and thank you! You are missed by so many. He is survived by his nephews David (Kris) Pike and Richard (Paula) Pike of Brownsdale, Minnesota; niece Lisa (Mrs. Steve) Schultz of Wind Lake, Wisconsin; and sister-in-law Judith Pike of Brownsdale; and eight great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial service will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 4 at Wackerly Funeral Home, Canton, Ohio, with the Rev. Gary A. Smith officiating. |
