| Graduation Year | Class of 1957 |
| Date of Birth | Apr 08, 1939 |
| Date of Passing | Apr 03, 2024 |
| About | Lt Col (Ret) Maynard "Abe" Honesty USAF passed away in King of Prussia, PA on April 3, 2024, after fighting a courageous battle with Alzheimer's and Dementia. Maynard Lee Norman was born in Zanesville, OH on April 8, 1939. Early in his life, his mother - Nancy Norman - married Carlos Honesty who adopted Maynard. Following his graduation from Zanesville High School in 1957, Maynard enlisted in the Army Reserves along with two of his good buddies - Grendel "Doc" Meyers and Dr. Raymond "Butch" Watiker DDS. After completing Army Reserves Basic Training, Maynard chose to transfer service and enlist in the United States Air Force where he was one of the first airmen to train in aviation computers and electronics at Lowry AFB, CO. While stationed at Lowry, then Airman Honesty was selected to attend Aviation Cadet School at Harlingen AFB, TX where he received a commission as a second lieutenant and commenced his training as a Bombadier / Navigator. Over the course of his career, Lt Col Honesty flew in the T-29B "Flying Classroom", C-123B "Provider", B-52G "Stratofortress", and the FB-111A "Aardvark'' achieving the ratings of Master Navigator and Master Bombadier. Lt Col Honesty served valiantly during the Vietnam War earning the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for his exceptional skill in providing a vital resupply to ground forces in need. Other career highlights include: an assignment as a USAF Project Officer developing the Terrain Following Radar in conjunction with General Dynamics; an assignment to the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Spring, CO where he taught Political Science and served as the 34th Squadron Air Officer Command leading and supervising the professional development of more than one-hundred Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy; his final assignment was as the Commanding Officer of the 509th Avionics Maintenance Squadron at Pease AFB, NH supporting FB-111A and KC-135 aircraft operations in the Strategic Air Command. In addition to the DFC, Lt Col Honesty earned the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with (3) oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with (2) oak leaf clusters, VietNam Service Medal with (2) bronze stars, Republic of VietNam Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal. Maynard valued education and was continuously challenging himself and learning new skills. His military education achievements include graduating from the Air Command and Staff College, the Air War College, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Personally, he achieved an associate's degree from Sacramento City College, a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sacramento State University, a master's degree in political science from Auburn University, and a Strategic Procurement and Purchasing Certificate from Penn State University. Lt Col Honesty retired from the military in 1981 following twenty-six (26) years of honorable service. Maynard moved on to a second career in the area of healthcare information systems with Shared Medical Systems (SMS), Malvern, PA. Maynard worked for twenty-three (23) years at SMS ultimately retiring as the Vice-President of Purchasing. He was well-known throughout the industry for his professionalism, meticulous attention to detail, and for treating others with kindness and respect and forging relationships that transcended business dealings. Recreationally, he enjoyed playing competitive racquetball at the local YMCA (where he served as President of the Board of Directors) and golf (he scored two holes-in-one). Maynard also earned his Private Pilot's License and enjoyed flying his Cessna 152 around southeast Pennsylvania for many years. Maynard met the love of his life - Mary Evelyn (Carter) - at the Lind Arena roller skating rink in Zanesville one summer and married in June 1964. They were married for fifty-five (55) incredible years before Mary passed in 2019. Mary and Maynard always looked forward to returning to Zanesville every August to attend the Muskingum County Fair and reconnect with family and friends at the Norman Family Reunion. Those who knew him well called him "Abe" or "Colonel" but, the titles he and Mary cherished most were "Papa and Granny" or "Uncle Maynard and Auntie Mary". Maynard is survived by his children: Retha Dawn (Chandler) Crump of Zanesville, OH; Lt Col (Ret) Carlos (Angie) Honesty USAF/ANG of South Bend, IN; Maj (Ret) Carter Honesty USMC of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; Jason (Dena) Honesty of Wayne, PA; grandchildren - Brandon Crump, Kyle Crump, Chelsea Bauer, Robert Bauer, Elijah Honesty, Cameron Honesty, Jacob Honesty, and Cal Honesty; and great-grandchildren - Kiah Crump, Shiann Crump, Kaden Crump, Conner Crump, and Matthew Dalton. Maynard and Mary's remains will be interred at Greenwood Cemetery in Zanesville, Ohio on Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10:30am with family and friends. Rest in peace, Colonel... we love you "some too much" and we will miss you. Hand Salute! |
