John Forrest Rhemann

Colonel John Forrest Rheman, Sr., was born on October 21,1952, in Houston, Texas, to C.J. and Martha Francis Rhemann. John grew up in Brookshire, Texas, and joined the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17, serving in the Pacific during World War II. John graduated from Texas A&M in 1951 joining the U.S. Airforce. His basic pilot training was at Columbus AFB, MS where he met his wife of 59 years, Celeste Tillson. After all phases of training, he served in Korea from 1952-1953. On return, the family lived in 6 states and 3 1/2 years at Hahn, AFB, Germany, returning to England AFB Louisiana. He was assigned to the Pentagon for 4 years then to Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina for four deployments to Vietnam, flying many missions. He also worked with the Ravens in Laos. Langley AFB, Virginia was next, and he retired from McDill AFB, Florida after 30 years of military service. He took several civilian jobs in Saudi Arabi and Iran. Lastly, he raised cattle in Raleigh, Mississippi. During his military career, he received numerous medals, including two Legions of Merit, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Bronze Star, and 14 Air Medals. John passed away Tuesday, October 5, 2010, at a hospital in Ridgeland, Mississippi at the age of 84. He leaves behind his WIFE: Celeste Tillson Rhemann; SONS: J. Forrest, Jr. and his wife, Lynn, Deana Celeste and Jeffrey Ward; GRANDCHILDREN: Krista Celeste, John Forrest, III and M. Barrie; SISTERS: Mae Dell Kohler and her husband, Charles and Kathleen Klausmeyer; numerous nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha, father, C.J., daughter, Leah Beth, sister, Gladys Wills and brothers, Wiliam and Thomas.