Colonel Bernard "Bernie" George Demers USAF(Ret.)

Colonel Bernard George Demers USAF (Ret) was born on January 11, 1935, at King’s Daughter Hospital in Perry, Iowa. The son of A.W. and Mary Ann Demers, he attended Saint Patrick’s school from Kindergarten through High School graduating in 1952. He attended Lordes College in Dubuque, Iowa 1952-1954 until he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy (USNA). He entered the UNSA in June of 1954 and graduated on June 4, 1958. At that time, 25% of the graduating class was authorized to take their commission in the US Air Force and upon graduating he took his commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He entered navigation training in October 1958 at James Connelly AFB in Waco, Texas where he met and married his wife of over 60 years, Nelda. They were married in Waco, Texas in December 1959. They raised four children: William, Delia, Christopher and Kimberly. Lt. Demers entered Roden Navigation School at Martha AFB. He completed B-52 training at Merced, California and was ordered to the 736th Bomb Squadron at Columbus, Mississippi. He was subsequently promoted to Captain and flew several 24 hour missions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was moved to the Chief of Standardization Board Crew and received a spot (brevet) promotion to Major which he retained until ordered to Squadron Officer School in 1965 after serving two deployments to Anderson AFB, Guam and flying 25 missions in South Vietnam. He attended a training with Industry program at the Boeing Company in Seattle, Washington completing the program in June 1966 when he was ordered to the 41st TEWS (Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron) in Thakli, Thailand. After training in the B-66 aircraft, he arrived at Thakli on January 11, 1962. After flying 115 missions in and around North Vietnam, he returned to Kelly AFB, San Antonio, TX and was promoted to Major in 1971. He ultimately served as a Section Chief in what was then Procurement (Now Contracts). He was posted to Air Force Logistics Comman (AFLC) headquarters as Chief of the Contract Administration Division. He was assigned to the Defense Systems Management School as Government Contracts and Business Management Instructor Fort Belvoir, VA. Promoted to Lt. Colonel and in 1972 received orders to the National War College. He joined the Air Staff in the Pentagon in 1973 as Contracts Chief of Plans and Programs Division and was promoted to Colonel in 1978. He was named Chief Research and Development Contracts Division, HQUSAF until his retirement June 4, 1980. His Awards and Decorations include Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Services Commendation Medal, AF Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnamese Air Medal with Galantry Palm, Navy Expert Pistol Marksman, Navy Expert Rifle Marksman, Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Unit Citation with one Oak Leaf Cluster and Combat V plus various other awards and commendations. He had secondary careers as GE Program Manager for KCIO Engines, California, where he oversaw the engines for Air Force One, President of PATH Products, Jacksonville, TX, Logistics Manager at Kentron International, Arlington, TX and Program Manager for Construction TV Station and Cable TV Service in Jadda and Jubaire, Saudi Naval Bases, Saudi Arabia. After retirement, he enjoyed acting at Tyler Civic Theater, Lindale Community Theater, Lake Country Playhouse, Snow Line Players where he played several leading roles including Norman in On Golden Pond, Jackie in the Stranger, Dr. Cook in Dr. Cook’s Garden, Scrooge in A Christmas Carol, Horowitz in Horowitz and Mrs. Washington, The Sunshine Boys, A Month of Sundays and various other supporting roles. He also loved his home and community of Hide-A-Way Lake and Lindale where he was Alderman for the City of Hideaway, Board of Directors for Lindale ISD Educational Foundation and Vice President of Hideaway Kiwanis Club. One of his greatest loves was the 20 years he spent as Santa Clause where he took immense joy in spreading the love of Christmas. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from United States Naval Academy, an M.B.A. from the University of Dayton and a M.S. in Logistics from the University of Southern California. He was preceded in death by his parents A.W. and Mary Anne Demers, two sisters, Delia Andrews and Dorothy Rohner, his wife, Nelda Gibbs and one grand child, George Nelson Bond. He is survived by his four children, William and wife, Amy of Rochester, WA, Delia Merritt of Garland, TX, Christopher and wife, Susan of Aledo, TX and Kimberly and husband, Mitchell Bond of Lindale, TX, twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Caudle-Rutledge- Daugherty Funeral Home in Lindale. Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2025, at ChristPoint Methodist Church in Lindale. Interment will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, July 18, 2025, at DFW National Cemetery in Dallas. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to www.warhorsesforveterans.com

Colonel Bernard "Bernie" George Demers USAF(Ret.)

January 11, 1935 - July 12, 2025