Lt Col Peggy A. Myrick

[ironputts]

November 27, 2021

Lt Col Peggy A. Myrick
California Wing

Peggy Ann Myrick
February 23, 1959 - July 21, 2021 San Luis Obispo, California

Peggy Ann Myrick of San Luis Obispo died peacefully at the age of 62 in her home in San Luis Obispo on July 21, 2021 with her husband and very best friend and soulmate Larry F Myrick and her sister Nancy and brother-in-law Duncan by her side.
Peggy is survived by Larry, her mother Olga Rodden, her sister Nancy Wilkinson Kelso (Duncan), her brother Craig Wilkinson (Sandy), her stepdaughter Becky Sawyer (Rick), and her two grand-children Timothy and Erinn Sawyer, her sister in law Carol Holdsworth ( Roger), and nieces and nephews, Chad Wilkinson (Emma), Katie Pope (Nic), Robb Wilkinson (Ali), Tim Holdsworth (Jennifer), Scott Holdsworth (Sabrina), stepsisters Stephanie Rodden (John Cienki) and Bonny Rodden (Irwin Gaetz) and stepbrother Bill Rodden (Jane) and many, cousins, great nieces and nephews and fabulous friends.
Peggy discovered she had lung cancer in 2009 which turned out to be a form of incurable stage 4 carcinoid cancer. This was not about to slow her down and so she and Larry filled their lives with travel and time commitments to Civil Air Patrol. She was quiet about this and few knew what she was going through.
Peggy will be remembered for many things but her quiet demeanor and her absolute loyalty along with being totally generous of her time made sure all around her were comfortable and confident.
Peggy was born in Oakdale California to Howard Wilkinson and Olga Rodden. She graduated from Oakdale High School and Fresno State University (while at FSU she worked as a librarian).
Her love of flying began when she was a pre-teen flying with her stepfather, Bill Rodden, who owned a plane. They would spend many hours flying together, including across the United States and into Mexico and Canada on vacations. She received her pilots license when she was a teenager. Becoming a pilot was just as important to her as getting her driver's license.
Peggy stayed in Fresno after graduation working with the County in the Department of Environmental Health as an underground fuel tank inspector and then a restaurant inspector.
Peggy moved to San Luis Obispo in 1995 to marry Larry.
In 1991 Peggy joined the Civil Air Patrol (CAP Auxiliary of USAF) in Fresno. Since she was already a pilot she soon completed the training necessary to be a rated CAP search and rescue pilot. After she was appointed as the Fresno Squadron commander she developed an innovative training course for CAP pilots to practice search techniques at night. Pilots from all over California benefitted from this training. In 1994 CAP was activated after the Northridge earthquake. She was sent to Ontario CA and she daily delivered food and supplies to the hardest hit communities. After she moved to San Luis Obispo in 1995 she became active with the San Luis Obispo Squadron and Group 11. In 1999 she became the CAP California Logistics Officer and completely overhauled how CAP property was managed which increased accountability and greatly saved both manhours and funds.
Peggy completed all of Civil Air Patrol's leadership schools and in 1997 she was awarded CAP's highest award for professional development and leadership. She was invited to serve on staff at the National Staff College which is held annually at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. After several years she was chosen to be the director, a position she held for 4 years. For her superior performance in this role she was recognized with CAP's Distinguished Service Award.
Also during her time in CAP Peggy was selected to take groups of CAP cadets overseas as part of the International Air Cadet Exchange. She took groups to Hong Kong, China and Turkey. She also planned and directed visits of foreign cadets to California. In 2015 Peggy became the National Director of IACE (International Air Cadet Exchange) and represented the US on the international planning committee for five years.
California CAP cadets annually hold an eight-day training event at Camp San Luis Obispo. She trained hundreds of cadets during her time at encampments and her two years as commander. After her command she continued to support encampments, including planning for the 2021 encampment.
Lt Col Myrick truly lived CAP's core values of integrity, volunteer service, excellence and respect. She inspired other CAP members by her selfless volunteerism. She touched the lives of countless CAP cadets nationwide as she mentored and encouraged them to work hard and excel in their lives. She will be remembered for her willingness to do whatever job needed to be done and her quiet determination to do each task with excellence.

Memorial:

https://m.facebook.com/iaceamerica/photos/a.447454748967983/1391277514585697/?type=3&source=48

https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/media/cms/Higher_Ground_34CED36F28A4C.pdf

https://www.cap.news/40-cadets-interacting-with-worlds-aviation-community/

http://www.ststephensslo.org/docs/Witness/Witness4Web_November2021.pdf