Art Aho, Jr was born in 1935 in Port Townsend, WA and died of congestive heart failure at 86 on September 5th in Crescent City. His family was torn apart by WW2, and he spent nearly half his childhood in foster care which inspired him later in life to run several foster homes and touched many children’s lives.Art graduated from a one room schoolhouse in Crescent City and attended Stanford University. Overwhelmed by the expenses and the big city, he enlisted in the Air Force with the dream of becoming a pilot as he’d been flying since he was 14 years old on the beaches of Crescent City. He was able to earn a flight school slot and became an Air Force Officer. He had a spectacular career and flew Air Force One for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson, was involved in reconnaissance during the Cuban Missile Crisis and flew Special Air Missions during the Vietnam War in helicopters. His lifelong passion for aviation continued and inspired many pilots as he continued flying for the regionals, charter companies, MedEvac and private corporations after retiring from 20 years of service in the Air Force as a Lt Colonel.He is predeceased by his parents Arthur Aho, Sr and Aldene Nussbaumer, his wife Verna (Hawley) and his sisters Lillian and Arlene. He is survived by his wife Debi Lewis, son Arthur Aho, III, daughters Karyn (Ally) and Annie (Greg), 4 granddaughters and 2 great granddaughters.A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 17th at Florence Keller Park from 12-3. Memorials may be made to the Del Norte County dog shelter To plant a tree in memory of Art Aho, Jr. as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('ad-1515727'); });