George Gillette,

EULESS -- George Paul Gillette Jr., 76, passed away Tuesday, July 27, 2010. Service: Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Michael Catholic Church, 3713 Harwood Road, with a reception following at the church. Interment: 1 p.m. Monday in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Friday with recitation of the rosary at 7. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in honor of Chick to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105, or www.stjude.org. George Paul "Chick" Gillette Jr. graduated from Jesuit High School in New Orleans, La., and Louisiana State University. He retired with the rank of major from the United States Air Force. Chick spent 10 years of active duty flying the T-37, T-33, B-47, B-52 and C-130 airplanes. Chick completed his military career with 11 years of reserve duty, along with serving as a recruiter, where he helped local high school students gain appointments to the U.S. Air Force Academy. After his active duty service, Chick worked as a pilot for Braniff Airways, including duty as chief pilot of its New York base. After Braniff, Chick worked for Air Atlanta, Air Transport International, and completed his flying career as a B-747 captain with United Parcel Service. Chick's love of aviation was passed to his sons, who are themselves captains at three different U.S. airlines. Following his aviation retirement, Chick became the captain of his own RV motor home, and traveled the country with his wife, Carolyn, and sometimes their grandchildren. Together, they spent lots of time visiting family and friends in their beloved hometown of New Orleans and traveling the U.S. Retirement did not hinder Chick's love of airplanes and aviation. His passion earned him great respect in his role as a volunteer Airport Ambassador at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Chick also joined the volunteer neighborhood watch program, and became a Citizen on Patrol, or "COP." Chick lived with his wife, Carolyn, in the same neighborhood in Euless for 40 years, and loved partying at neighborhood events. Passionate about the Dallas Cowboys, Chick hosted the annual neighborhood Super Bowl party, and the neighborhood turned gold, purple and green each year as Chick and Carolyn showed everyone how to have a New Orleans-style Mardi Gras celebration. Chick was also a founding member of St. Michael's Catholic Community in Bedford, where he was a member for 40 years. Chick will be greatly missed by everyone. He was entertaining and optimistic, sometimes stubborn and always lots of fun. He was preceded in death by his parents, George Paul Gillette Sr. and Edwige Bozonier Gillette, and his sister, Aline Richards. Survivors: Wife, Carolyn; sons, George Paul Gillette III and wife, Rachael, David Leo Gillette and wife, Carla, and Eric Christian Gillette and wife, Kelsey; grandchildren, Kevin, Ian, Brandon, Shelby and Jayce Gillette; and sisters, Shirley Nielsen and Lynn Radovich.

George Gillette,

May 23, 1934 - July 27, 2010