Arthur W. Rasco

Arthur W. Rasco, Major, (ret.) U.S. Air Force, passed away on the 12 of August 2009 after a long illness. He was born on the 13 of April 1921 in McLean, Texas, to the late Ona and Lauren G. Rasco. He attended Memphis High School where he played football and was in the band. His first love was airplanes and flying. He flew a Spartan C-4, Wright J6-7 an a CA1933 as an “unlicensed airplane driver” He volunteered and joined the Army/ Air force in 1940 at Fort Bliss, Texas. In 1943 he was installed as an Aviation Cadet class 44B. He took B-24 training in Fort Worth, Texas at Torrent County AFB, and later at Carswell AFB. In August 1944, flying a brand new B-24 he flew to Manchester, N.H., Gander, Newfoundland, Azores Islands, Marrakech, Gold Coast and Goia, Italy. The rest of his career he served in Memphis TN, Paris France, Frankfurt Germany, San Antonio, Texas, Hickman AFB, Hawaii, McGuire AFB N.J., Teheran Iran, and Lincoln, NB. He retired in 1964 with 24 years of service. After retirement he managed and instructed at the Biggs Aero Club, Fort Bliss Flying Club, and the Piper Distributor in El Paso as Chief Pilot, FAA flight examiner, instructor and charter pilot. His last flight was in November 1977 after 20,000 flying hours. He was a member of the El Paso Chapter of the Daedalian, Quiet Birdman (QB,S) and past president and member of the El Paso Aviation Association. He was preceded in death by his son, David Rasco and brother, Billy Fred Rasco a WWII Navy Pilot. He is survived by his wife, Gertraud Michael Rasco, step-daughter; Angela E. Zorn, (James), step-son Gregg E. Michael, and step grandsons; Michael and Kristopher Zorn and Gregg E. Michael II, grandsons; Scott Rasco, Stephen Rasco, grand-daughter; Michelle P. Romero & great grandsons; Liane and Gray Romero. Graveside Service will be at 9:30 am on Thursday, August 20, 2009 at Fort Bliss National Cemetery with Full Military Honors. In Lieu of flowers donations may be made to Grace Chapel, 7601 Wilcox Dr. El Paso, Texas 79915. Services entrusted to Sunset Funeral Home-East.