John Airsman

John (Jack) Airsman, 92 of Salt Lake City peacefully passed away at his home on January 12, 2010. John was born March 4, 1917 in Jacksonville, Illinois to Theodore T Airsman and Ethel Hartle. He graduated from Tintah High School, Tintah, Minnesota in 1937. After graduation he returned to Illinois to work for the Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. He was drafted into the Army in 1941. He attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant. He spent most of his military career in the artillery. During WWII he served in the China-Berna-India Theater, training the Chinese troops. He was stationed as a military advisor to the South Korean Army when the Korean Conflict broke out. From the onset he performed a number of heroic deeds, was recommended the Silver Star and received a Bronze Star Medal with 26 lead clusters. In his final assignment with the Army he commanded the Field Artillery Missile Training Command at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma. Airsman retired from the US Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1963 when he was 46 years old and moved to Utah at that time to enjoy the hunting and fishing there. He became deputy director of the Securities and Real Estate Commission for the State of Utah. He was appointed acting director of the Utah Securities Commission when the director passed away in 1965 he was appointed director of the Commission. Airsman left the post in 1967 to sell securities in Nevada, Idaho and Utah and for several years was Sales Manager of a local securities business. He retired from securities in 1972 to manage a sporting goods store in downtown Salt Lake City and in 1979 he started his own gun store in Bountiful, Utah. He had a thriving business for several years but decided to retire "again" in 1983. Airsman, not content with "staying at home and watching the boob tube", became a Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriff and 3rd District Court bailiff. Airsman retired from the Sheriffs department in 1990. In his spare time, Airsman was an avid out doors man, hunter and fisherman. He also enjoyed shot gun competition and for three years, from 1967 to 1969 he was Utah State Skeet Champion. After skeet he took up trap shooting and held many offices at the USTA and ATA. He enjoyed traveling in his motor home with his dog "Tinker" at his side, enjoyed many trips to Minnesota and Illinois to visit friends and family. He was able to enjoy several more memorable trips while in his late 80's, especially a cruise to the "Panama Canal" and twice to Alaska, fishing. He is survived by his two sons, John and Bill; grandson, Daniel. Along with his special friend and companion Charlene, her children, Scott, James, Autumn and granddaughter Serenity and several friends. The family would like to give a special thanks to James Hollengstead for his 24/7 care. A Graveside service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at the Utah Veterans Cemetery in Bluffdale 17111 Camp Williams Rd. A Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the chapel at Camp Williams.