The family of John Walter Korpal, age 90, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to honor their Hero at his final services and Military Honors, we will be honored to do so.
John Korpal enlisted in the US Air Force in 1951 and served proudly during the Korean War until his honorable discharge in 1954. His rank at the time of discharge was S/SGT (T). Awards and Medals he received were Good Conduct medal and National Defense Service Medal.
After the military John went back to college and obtained his B.S. Degree in Electrical Engineering at Indiana Institute of Technology in 1957, and received his M.S. Degree in Space Technology at Florida Institute of Technology in 1963. He worked for several companies such as RCA in Florida, Lockheed Missile and Space Company at Cape Canaveral in Florida, and ITT Federal Electric Corporation at Vandenburg Air force Base in Lompoc, California. John has been associated with the Missile and Space industry for over twenty-seven years.
In the mid-seventies, he started a business (Swift Computer Service) in Santa Maria, California. He and his wife retired as snowbirds at Black Meadow Landing in Lake Havasu, California. He was a member and a volunteer at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge for many years. John was an avid poker/bingo player, who also appreciated coin collecting. He was a life-time Green Bay Packers fan. Our Dad will be deeply missed.
John was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Alice Mae Korpal of Santa Maria, he is survived by daughters Mary, Nancy and Jean, sons John and Michael, and 11 grand children and numerous great grand children.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the funeral home to the cemetery. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Time Table for Saturday, 06 FEB 2021:1000 - Staging at Magner- Maloney Funeral Home, 600 E. Stowell Rd, Santa Maria Ca. 93454
https://goo.gl/maps/zdJyk5oWmfFfjdCX91020 - Mission Briefing
1025 - Flag line for Hero's transfer from Mortuary to Coach
1030 - Accompany Hero to the Santa Maria Cemetery,1501 S. College Dr, Santa Maria, Ca. 93458. (in the original section)
https://goo.gl/maps/ATGpQmG4JcQFv36q81045 - Arrival at cemetery and Flag Line With full Military Honors
Covid 19 Please wear your mask, please bring your Flags and water none will be provided.R/C Anthony Cercone
PGR Ride CaptainUS Air Force Veteran
Combat Vets.
805-720-0863
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
