Colonel Thomas Dale Kotowski, age 88, died Sept. 23, 2006, in Hondo. He was born in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, on Nov. 1, 1917. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Helen (Bleasdale) Kotowski; his wife, Gloria E. (Clements) Kotowski; daughter, Mary Nancy; and grandchildren, Heidi Ulrich and Peter J. Ulrich. He is survived by his wife, Elsie Muennink Stanga Kotowski; his sisters, Frances Veltman and Josephine Krojnyak; his daughters, Suzanne Burchett and husband Ray, Karen Ulrich and husband George, Gail Boyd and husband Greg; and son, James Kotowski and wife Donna; step-children, Paula Jay and husband Hal, Jerry Stanga and Gary Stanga and wife Becky; 14 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren. Tom graduated from Willoughby High School in 1936 and graduated from Ohio Vocational School in 1941. He joined the Air Force as a cadet in 1942 and spent most of his life as a military pilot and commander, rising to the rank of Colonel. Tom flew "the Hump" in the China-Burma-India area for four years during World War II. He was also associated with the 433rd Alamo Wing as commander of the 922nd Group. He received a commendation from the Chinese for his services. Tom loved to fish and enjoyed outdoor activities. He served his God and his country. In recent years he took particular joy in the United Methodist Men's Group and his Emmaus Reunion group activities. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at First United Methodist Church in Hondo with Pastor Andy Tyson and Pastor Bert Clayton officiating. The pallbearers are Brandon Boyd, Bridget Burchett, Tara Jay, Richard Janek, Robert DeLeon, Larry Oefinger, Glenn Bragg, Clyde Parsons, Jennifer Cantwell. Committal service will be at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.