Lt. Col. James L. Partington

[ironputts]

December 5, 2024

Lt. Col.  James L. Partington
Shreveport Senior Squadron
Louisiana Wing

Colonel James Lee Partington, USAFR (Ret.), 78, passed away on November 5, 2024 in Shreveport, Louisiana. His adult life was inextricably intertwined with the United States Air Force and the United States Air Force Reserve, and the flying opportunities afforded to him as a fighter pilot. Born in Oakland, California on February 5, 1946, he obtained a bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in physics from San Jose State University. Through the Air Force ROTC, he received his commission and later earned his Master of Aerospace Science degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He completed his pilot training at Reese AFB in Lubbock, Texas, where he chose "Pooh" as his tactical call sign. One of his classmate's little girl couldn't say Partington - she could only blurt out "Pooh" – the nickname stuck. Jim fully understood the military's penchant for acronyms, so "Pooh" later morphed into P.O.O.H., "People/ Our Only Hope." As a fighter pilot during the Vietnam War, he flew heavily armed A-l Skyraiders on 202 combat missions over Laos and Cambodia, protecting downed pilots until they were rescued and bombing the Ho Chi Minh trail. Despite the enemy's best efforts, not one bullet ever struck his plane as he successfully protected all of his assigned downed pilots.

After Vietnam, Jim moved on to become an Air Force jet pilot, including his beloved F-105 and A-10 aircraft. He possessed the mental and physical abilities to excel at flying jets and fixed wing, propeller-driven planes. He believed nothing sounded more like raw power than his radial engine A-l Skyraider. Jim never understood why anyone would ever fly helicopters with their rotating wings. For 9 years he flew for Metro Airlines before transitioning from active duty to the reserves. While at Barksdale AFB, he became the A-10 test pilot, certifying each repaired plane for its return to duty. Col. Partington then progressed up the ranks and helped organize the first ever B-52 reserve unit. As a full colonel, he commanded the logistics group at Wright-Patterson AFB, and then retired as Chief of Aircraft Maintenance Branch of 10th Air Force Headquarters in Ft. Worth, TX. Jim also participated in live combat training in his A-10 Warthog, using lasers instead of the A-10's missiles and 30 mm cannon. He is one of the few Warthog pilots to successfully "shoot down" an F-15 in a training exercise - there is a video proving it. Even the Franklin Mint chose his A-10 as the prototype for their model version, including his name on the side of each model made.

Following his retirement/ Jim and Ann moved to Altus, Oklahoma where he became a Boeing C-17 flight simulator instructor for the "kids/' young USAF men and women in his many classes. These "joystick generation" trainees had a hard time accepting that redundant computer systems could fail. Jim drilled into his students that they still must learn to fly the aircraft, unaided by computers.

Jim and Ann were devoted to each other, nursing and caring for one another as life presented difficult challenges and tragedies. Long before he retired as a colonel. Ann was at Jim's side every step of the way.

When Jim transitioned from Boeing to L3 Technologies, he also helped maintain the simulator software. L3 flew Ann and Jim to L3/s facility in Australia where he assisted in that task. Jim claimed personal credit for introducing fried turkeys to his group in that country.

Aviation was God's gift to Jim. It became his life's passion as well as his expensive avocation. He bought and sold many planes; he bought and sold many hangars. He worked on and flew endlessly in his favorite type of airplane: the experimental, acrobatic YAK C-J6. Jim was at his best while performing aerobatics in his red and blue painted CJ-6 accented by shooting stars on the fuselage. He performed vertical climbs, then stalls before diving vertically and pulling up for all to see on their boats at Eagle Mountain Lake in Ft. Worth or around Shreveport. Jim offered to fly any willing passenger free of charge on their first flight with him. Jim's aviation expertise extended to the Shreveport Senior Squadron of the Louisiana Wing of the Civil Air Patrol. He served as a flight instructor to cadets seeking their FAA licenses as well as a check ride pilot for senior members. Jim was also a "Mr. Fix-lt" and worked with friends and family on minor repairs to a patio fountain or helping to construct a large trailer park. If anyone had a project, Jim always volunteered to help. For holidays and special occasions, Jim became a master turkey fryer, wearing a dark green apron adorned with the words "Real Men Fry Turkeys'. He developed his own special recipe for injecting the turkeys a day in advance, then generously applying cayenne pepper on the skin.

For all that Jim accomplished as a fighter pilot and an acrobatic showman, he was a quietly generous man who freely gave his time, money and talent whenever and wherever needed. He earned and commanded respect, yet one of his great joys was to get down on the floor and play with kids. "Uncle Jim" was adored by nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews. He was greeted with big smiles and hugs by those children he entertained and enjoyed.

With a little help from his Uncle Sam Hicks and a couple of his cousins, he developed an appreciation for puns. Some he labored over, some he understood immediately. He responded in kind with puns that drew groans from his audience. As a strong leader, Jim was always positively-minded in teaching pilots or in living life. That positivity was infectious. His philosophy was simple: "You manage budgets; you lead people'. He did not suffer fools; he did not tolerate a student being late for a scheduled flying lesson. Jim led by example.

"If Motion is life's lotion," and Jim was always in motion, always thinking, always leading and organizing, from group dinners on Mondays at Nicky's to catfish at Jan's at 1745 on Wednesdays.

He constantly researched daily positive affirmations he included in his emailed U.P.P.E.R. ("Unabashed Positive Platitudes for Energy Replacement"). Sometimes there would be a Re-U.P.P.E.R., or a S.L.A.P. (Self-actuated Learning Adaptation Process). If you didn't understand the UPPER, you used the SLAP to avoid a DOWNER (Depression Onset When Not Enlightened Reaction). The lucky recipients of the UPPER always looked forward to receiving them. Jim's family sadly sent out his last UPPER on November 9, 2024.

It is truly ironic that Jim died before the polls closed on Election Day. He got his wish, but he never saw the re-election of President Trump or the Republicans gaining control of the Senate on November 5, 2024.

Jim's final flight has left a hole in our lives. We shall miss him terribly. Col. Partington is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Elizabeth Ann Hicks Partington, his sister, Joanne White, his daughter Catherine Harris, grandson, Lance Harris, Jr., brothers and sisters-in-law Sherman Hicks, Travis and Bonnie Hicks, and nephews and nieces, Brad Hicks, Randall and Sheila Hicks Langton, Jonathan and Leila Pollard, Wayne and Betty Hicks, Ryleigh Hicks, Kathy Hicks, Scooter and Shanna Hicks Pollock, Jarret and Kelsey Hicks, Tom and Susie Knapp Neubert, Tommy and Cheryl Neubert, Bradley and Tabitha Knapp Benson, Dan and Melissa White, Nathan and Miriam White, Brad and Terri White, Craig and Becky Hess, Greg White, David and Kathy Rauch, Greg and Sandra Hicks Williams, Gary Anders, Roger and Kelli Royer, Bryce White, Jim and Amber Rains, Trish and Kevin Herrington, Bo Stewart, Josh Stewart, Rodney Hicks, Kelvin Hicks, Aaron Hicks, Lendon Royer, Willa Simmons, and Rivers Royer, Gary and Pam Anders, Tyler Anders and Tanner and Renea Anders, and Maury and Glynda Hicks, Rodney Hicks, Kelvin Hicks, and Aaron Hicks.

Jim was predeceased by his son, David Richard Partington, his parents, Leo James Partington and Ruth Folsom Partington, his sister, Patt P. Welcher, James Arleigh Hicks, Pat Hicks, Jimmy Hicks, Billie Nell Hicks, Melvin & Elizabeth Hicks, Tom and Janis Hicks Knapp, Becky Hicks Rains, Brenda Knapp Corley.

The family wishes to extend its thanks to Dr. Le, Dr. Mull, Dr. Louka, and Dr. Firouzbakht as well as the nurses and staff at Willis-Knighton Hospital North for the care provided to Jim following his heart surgery.

Honorary Pallbearers are Wayne Hicks, Brad Hicks, Greg Williams, Tom Neubert, Gary Anders, Roger Royer, Randall Langton, Dan White, Nathan White, Brad White, Craig Hess, Greg White, David Rauch.