1930-2026
Stuart Henry Hoag, Maj. (USAF Retired) Age 96 went home to be with his Lord and wife on August 28, 2026.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at the First Baptist Church of Winfield. Visitation will be from 10-11 AM prior to services. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Winfield First United Methodist Church Men’s Ministry; donations may be left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.
He was born August 21, 1930 in Covina, CA to Lorenzo Dow Hoag and Nancy Esther Hartzell. The family purchased a farm near Sunny Meade California where he attended Midland Grade School, a rural school. During the war, the family moved to Riverside where he attended Central Junior High School, and Polytechnic Senior High School. In 1947 the family relocated to Oregon where he attended and graduated from Medford Senior High School in 1949. He joined the United States Air Force soon after graduation, working as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic and promoted to rank of S/Sgt after 3 years of service. In 1952 because of the Korean War and shortage of pilots, a “waiver of college requirements” was made available to Airmen with two or more years of service for pilot training, thus making it possible for Stuart to apply and graduate from Aviation Cadets in1953 as a pilot and 2/lt. in the Air Force Ready Reserves. On Dec 23, 1953, he married Janice Utt at First Baptist Church, Dexter, KS. They lived in Texas, Maine, Nevada, Mississippi and Europe, plus he had tours in Eniwetok and Christmas Island during atomic tests, and a tour in Vietnam, all of 1968, as a Jolly Green Air Rescue Pilot flying HH-3e Helicopters. He and his crew hoisted 11 personnel from the jungle. His last duty assignment was the Commander of an Award-winning Air Rescue detachment at Laredo AFB, flying the HH-43b Husky Helicopters. He retired from the Air Force in June 1970 from the Air Force with the rank of Major, in Laredo TX. After retirement, he began a second career with The Banker’s Life Insurance Company, later changed to Principal Financial Group where he became a Senior Agent licensed to sell Health, Life and Securities. He retired from that company in 1990 but kept up with his license and servicing his clients for several years longer. He was always active in his local churches and activities. In Laredo, he taught a Sunday school class of high school Students and served as a sponsor for youth groups Aswell as participating in the many activities of the First Baptist Church. In San Antonio he helped with the First Baptist churches’ street ministries. He was a volunteer waiter in the noon restaurant every Friday, and helped in the hotel where clean clothes, baths and food were available to people of need. He also served as the President of his homeowner’s association which entailed 3500 homes and common facilities of swimming pool, tennis courts and a lake with picnic area and walking paths. In 1995, the family moved to Winfield, Kansas. In Winfield, he was active in working for auctioneers in setting up auctions. He was active in 1st Baptist Church, substituting as a Sunday School Teacher, participating with the Churches Retired Group and serving on the Pastor Staff Relations Board. Later, he was a member of the First Methodist church, attending the men’s group weekly breakfast and a greeter/usher during Sunday services. During his Air Force career, Stuart attended college courses when possible. He attended University of Maine, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Mississippi and University of Nevada, completing three and a half years of college. Stuart was a Life Member of the American Legion and the NRA, a member of Laredo Elk’s Lodge 2806. Stuart was also a life member of the Jolly Green Helicopter and Vietnam Helicopter pilots Associations and the American Legion. In 2012, Stuart was recognized as one of two surviving “atomic” veterans in Cowley County, Kansas.
In March 2010 the National Museum of the Air Force dedicated the HH-3e Jolly Green Giant Helicopter, call sign Jolly Green 22 was put on display. This Helicopter was restored to flying standards and painted as it appeared when assigned to the 37 Air Rescue Squadron in Vietnam. This Aircraft was selected because on its last mission a crew member earned the prestigious Air Force Cross. Stuart was the pilot and aircraft commander on that mission. Names of the crew and details of the mission are detailed around the display. His Crew Chief was awarded the prestigious medal, rest of crew Silver Stars. He was a decorated veteran with numerous medals, the highest being the Silver Star followed by 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Air Medals, and 1 AF Commendation Medal. He earned the Army Expert Rifle ribbon while serving a short tour in the Oregon National Guard while a senior in High School. He also wore Command Pilot wings, logging over 5,000 hours flying time split between rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Stuart had many talents and hobbies. He did his own auto repair for many years and could repair most anything around the home from cabinet making, woodworking, roofing, etc. He and his wife were active in designing and constructing stained glass projects. They also did some restoration of antique windows including a very old panel of stained glass in a local church. He loved old movies and acquired an extensive collection in his personal library.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenzo and Esther Hoag, his brother Laurence David Hoag, his sister Shirley Ann Petersen Williams, his wife Janice Utt Hoag and former daughter in-law Lori Hoag and brother in-law Gary Utt.
Survivors include son, David Hoag and wife Lucy of El Paso, TX; daughter Teresa Hoag of Marceline, MO; 13 grandchildren, James and Elizabeth Hoag, Brandy Wood and Wyatt Cornwell, Lyda Marie, Frank Dryer and Yancey Buckus, Neil, Shawn, Joyce, Sandra, Leyna and Mandy O’Quinn; 11 great grandchildren, Janice Angellina Hoag, Sagen Stanley, Logan, Kamron and Gabriel Hoag, Kaden, Carter and Infinity Wood, Josephine, Aurora & Allie Boyd, Ray Snyder, Ava and Jude O’Quinn, and Legion Cornwell; special friends Paul & Sally Zuniga and children, of Laredo, TX, and Richard Kelly of San Antonio, TX; sister-in-law Julie Utt of Winfield, sister in-law Nancy (Jody) Odell and husband Bob of Winfield, KS, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
