SHALIMAR — Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark Stogsdill, the former commander of the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, died Tuesday at Ochsner Medical Center in New Orleans.

Stogsdill, who commanded the 919th SOW from 1998 to 2004, oversaw the wing’s activation following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

According to Crestview community leader Bob Lynn, throughout his time at Duke Field, Stogsdill was extremely active in community affairs.

“We worked together along with former Mayor George Whitehurst to cement relations between the military and the city,” Lynn said. “As far as he was concerned, he couldn’t do enough for Crestview.”

Lynn said he was saddened when Stogsdill left Duke Field to take command of the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia.

When he retired and moved back to the area, Stogsdill became involved in a variety of military-related charities, including serving on the board of the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, the Okaloosa County Veterans Memorial and the Defense Support Initiative.

“He would never say no to a good cause,” Lynn added. “He was also a devoted family man. He was very involved in his daughters’ school activities.”

Commissioned in 1969 through Officers Training School at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Stogsdill earned his navigator wings in 1970 at Mather Air Force Base in California. He was a master navigator with more than 6,500 flying hours, including 450 combat hours flown during the Southeast Asia conflict on AC-130 Spectre Gunships.

Following six years on active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve in 1975.

Crestview Mayor David Cadle said Northwest Florida has lost a tremendous volunteer.

“The work he has done for our community has been remarkable,” Cadle said. “We have lost a dear friend.”

Thomas “Mark” Stogsdill lived his life by a code.  He was a man who was duty and honor bound in every aspect of his life:  military service, volunteering, friendships, faith, and above all family.  Mark was born on September 8, 1947, in Wellington, KS, to Betty (Montgomery) and Dale W. L. Stogsdill.  

Mark was an officer in the United States Air Force (a navigator who made Brigadier General and loved this country deeply), a Vietnam vet (who leaves behind a grieving flight crew—the Dirty Thirty); a marathoner (who still holds a course record or two), a friend (who was kind, fun, loving, and loved in return), a husband (who was the best part of my life), a father (to two daughters whom he loved beyond measure), a volunteer to organizations and school activities (as well as a card-carrying member of the Girl Scouts), a son (who cared for his aged parents for over 8 years), a brother (to three active boys who grew up to be good men), a very funny guy (who could always lighten the mood and make anyone laugh), and a man of faith (who strove to follow God’s word in all that he did).  His quick and devastating illness dealt a mortal blow to this wonderful man and, as a result, tore a hole in the souls of those who loved him.

Mark leaves behind his wife and best friend, Jan; two beautiful, smart, funny, and talented daughters who do not fall far from the tree, Sarah and Emma; mother, Betty; three brothers, Dale (Lynda), Jack and Jim (Deb); aunts; uncles; cousins; and a legion of friends.    

There is so much more to say but words don’t come easy at a time like this.  Three words will have to suffice:  duty, honor, and glory.  He lived a life of duty.  He never backed down from what needed to be done.  He did it right--honor guided him in all he did.  Glory.  When this bravest of men was confronted with news of his impending death, he embraced the news and prepared the way his faith told him to.  He welcomed leaving this earthly life to enter a life of glory.  God’s speed, my beloved Mark.  I’ll see you on the other side.