Obituary of Elmo Brinson

Brinson, Elmo, Lt. Col. USAF retired, 93, died peacefully at home on September 17, 2009. Born January 26, 1916 in Lake City, the son of Lewis T. and Maude M. Brinson Jones, he was raised by maternal grandparents Minerva and Benjamin Franklin Brinson, and predeceased by his wife of 44 years, Billie F. Brinson. He is survived by his daughters Sherry L. Bowen, Susan B. Speicher (Glenn), Billie Jean Bradford and Sandra L. Brinson (Todd Brown); and eight grandchildren. Elmo graduated from Columbia High School in 1933 and moved to Jacksonville, where he met Billie. They married in Green Cove Springs in 1937. He began his military service in World War II as a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp, serving as a P-47 Thunderbolt pilot in Europe with the 391st FS, 366th FG, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served tours in Korea and Viet Nam, earning many decorations, medals and commendations, and retired from the USAF in 1973. He returned to Jacksonville and enjoyed golfing, Gator football and entertaining friends. A long-time member of Faith United Methodist Church and formerly Peeler UMC, he served on the church council and finance committees and proofread the bulletin. His conversation was peppered with southern sayings -- "In a pig's eye!" or "Is fat meat greasy?" and he was known for bringing pistachios to thank folks on his "route." He had a tin ear, couldn't draw a worm and never learned to swim, but he wrote succinctly, loved swing music and could fix just about anything. Elmo will be remembered for his integrity, wit, generosity, and his commitment and loyalty to family and country. Visitation is Monday, Sept. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. with funeral services on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, followed by interment at Arlington Park Cemetery. The Jacksonville Humane Society was a favorite charity of the deceased.