Weston R. Kissel

Weston Ragan Kissel was born on September 10, 1978 in Austin, Texas. He was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident in East Tennessee on July 17, 2007. He is survived by his mother and father, Cynthia and Will Kissel and a sister, Ruth Ragan Kissel of Manchester, TN; his grandmother Bobbie Ragan of Morganton, NC; his grandmother and grandfather Patricia and Howard Kissel of Cheyenne, WY; aunts and uncles Elizabeth and John D. Ragan, Jr. of Oak Ridge, TN, Julie and Jim Reiling of Grove, OK and Karen Bryson of Knoxville, TN; cousins Amanda Ragan of Oak Ridge, TN and Air Force Capt. Patrick Ragan of Luke AFB, AZ. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, John D. Ragan, Sr. of Morganton, NC.

Weston graduated from Coffee County Central High School in Manchester, TN in 1996 and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in November of that year. After basic training and tech school, he served as a KC-10 aerial refueling boom operator with the 2nd Air Refueling Squadron (305th AMW) at McGuire AFB, NJ. He participated in several deployments over the following two years, which included support of Operations Allied Force and Desert Fox. He and his crew were presented with the Doolittle Trophy for professionalism and bravery in 1998 and the Air Force Associations Hoyt Award in 1999 for Best Air Refueling Aircrew of the Year . His other awards and medals include:

1. Air Medal (1 device) 2. Air Force Achievement Medal 3. AF Outstanding Unit Award (1 device) 4. AF Good Conduct Medal (2 devices) 5. National Defense Service Medal 6. Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal 7. Kosovo Campaign Medal 8. Global War on Terrorism Service Medal 9. Humanitarian Service Medal 10. AF Longevity Service (1 device) 11. AF Training Ribbon 12. NATO Medal

Weston was additionally Pilot of the Quarter Jan-Mar 2007 and Team of the Quarter Oct-Dec 2006. Additionally he is being awarded an Air Force Commendation Medal from 30 July 06 to 17 July 07.

In April, 1999, Weston was selected to attend the Air Force Academy Preparatory School. Following a year of training and study at the prep school, he was nominated to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy as a member of the class of 2004.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree and his commission as second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, Weston was assigned to Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Laughlin AFB, TX, where he was awarded pilot wings in October, 2005.

Weston was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in June 2006 and completed a seven-month B-52 formal training program at Barksdale AFB, LA in July. He was assigned to Minot AFB, ND where he was serving as a co-pilot at the time of his death.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at Arnold Air Force Base Lakeside Club with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Tullahoma Composite Sq., SER-TN-036, PO 433, Tullahoma, TN 37388. This money will be donated to benefit Academy Cadets.

Grissom Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. For additional information, phone 476-8575 or to send an online condolence to the family, visit www.grissomfh.net.