Obituary of Lt. Col. Edward Gaven

EDWARD GAVEN OBITUARY Lt. Col. Edward Gaven, of Yuba City, CA, passed away on December 10, 2022, at the Gardens Memory Care Center. His long journey with dementia is over. Ed was 80 years old. Ed began flying at age 16, which was before he had his driver's license, in Westfield, New Jersey. He mowed lawns at the local airport to help pay for his flying lessons. And, naturally, upon graduating from the University of Colorado he joined the US Air Force and was assigned to pilot training at Williams AFB in Arizona. Most of his 20 years in the US Air Force were spent flying the KC135. Ed's last assignment was as Commander of the 349th Air Refueling Squadron at Beale AFB. Ed's decorations include The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, and the Air Medal with ten oak leaf clusters. After retiring from the US Air Force, Ed still wanted to fly. American Airlines came calling and Ed was able to fly for 13 more years. Ed is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucinda Ledgerwood Gaven of Oklahoma City, OK; one son, Randolph Pryor Gaven of Yuba City, CA, and Monterey, CA. Ed is preceded in death by one daughter, Briana Lee Gaven; and his parents, Edward L. Gaven and Ruth E. Gaven. A celebration of life is being planned for early 2023, and an interment at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, CA.