Welcome to the memorial page for
Charles John Varvi
June 29, 1930 ~ April 8, 2014 (age 83) 83 Years OldShare Tribute:
Col. Charles (Chuck) J. Varvi, Jr. died on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center after a valiant battle with cancer.
Col. Varvi was born in New York City, N.Y. on June 29, 1930. He graduated from Iona College, N.Y., and was accepted into the USAF Aviation Cadet program. In 1952, he was assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Squadron, K-47 Korea. From 1953 to 1968, Col. Varvi served at numerous posts as a flight instructor and flight commander until his graduation from Air Command & Staff College. In 1968, he joined the 16th Tactical Fighter Squadron as F4-E Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, until he was temporarily assigned to the OV-10 Bronco test program, where he served in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, and flew 80 combat missions. In 1969, Col. Varvi deployed with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang, Vietnam, serving as F4-E Flight Commander and flying 100 combat missions.
Col. Varvi's 30 years of service included assignments as: Staff Officer, Allied Forces Southern Europe; Commander, 44th Transportation Squadron, Ellsworth AFB; Assistant Deputy Commander, 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Missile Maintenance, Ellsworth AFB; Director of Missile Maintenance, Headquarters 15th Air Force, March AFB.
Col. Varvi was a Command Pilot and Master Missileman. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal w/oak leaf cluster, and Air Medal w/nine oak leaf clusters.
Chuck enjoyed golf, except for a hole or two each round. He was a chef, woodworker and craftsman who loved life, his family and his friends.
Col. Varvi is survived by his wife Gail; daughter Debra; son John and his wife Angela; five grandchildren, Kirsten, Alison, Renee, Shaun, and Gabe; and eight great grandchildren, Hailey, Evelyn, Spencer, Joseph, Layla, Collin, Piper, and Adam.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Betty.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors.
Col. Varvi was born in New York City, N.Y. on June 29, 1930. He graduated from Iona College, N.Y., and was accepted into the USAF Aviation Cadet program. In 1952, he was assigned to the 49th Tactical Fighter Squadron, K-47 Korea. From 1953 to 1968, Col. Varvi served at numerous posts as a flight instructor and flight commander until his graduation from Air Command & Staff College. In 1968, he joined the 16th Tactical Fighter Squadron as F4-E Flight Commander, Eglin AFB, until he was temporarily assigned to the OV-10 Bronco test program, where he served in Bien Hoa, Vietnam, and flew 80 combat missions. In 1969, Col. Varvi deployed with the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, DaNang, Vietnam, serving as F4-E Flight Commander and flying 100 combat missions.
Col. Varvi's 30 years of service included assignments as: Staff Officer, Allied Forces Southern Europe; Commander, 44th Transportation Squadron, Ellsworth AFB; Assistant Deputy Commander, 44th Strategic Missile Wing, Missile Maintenance, Ellsworth AFB; Director of Missile Maintenance, Headquarters 15th Air Force, March AFB.
Col. Varvi was a Command Pilot and Master Missileman. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal w/oak leaf cluster, and Air Medal w/nine oak leaf clusters.
Chuck enjoyed golf, except for a hole or two each round. He was a chef, woodworker and craftsman who loved life, his family and his friends.
Col. Varvi is survived by his wife Gail; daughter Debra; son John and his wife Angela; five grandchildren, Kirsten, Alison, Renee, Shaun, and Gabe; and eight great grandchildren, Hailey, Evelyn, Spencer, Joseph, Layla, Collin, Piper, and Adam.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Betty.
Family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 15, 2014 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home, 113 Racetrack Road, N.E., Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. Funeral Services will be conducted on Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at Emerald Coast Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Beal Memorial Cemetery, Fort Walton Beach.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors.
Visitation
TuesdayApril 15, 2014
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Emerald Coast Funeral Home
161 Racetrack Road North West
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
