JOSEPH PETER LAGERLOEF

Joseph Peter Lagerloef, 69, of Panama City, passed away Tuesday, February 27, 2007. He was born on October 3, 1937 in Aurora, Illinois. He was a retired Lieutenant Colonel for the U.S. Air Force. Lt. Colonel Lagerloef spent most of his Air Force career as a Combat Control Team Officer in charge. This prestigious unit is looked upon as having some of the most courageous and highly trained men in the U.S. armed forces. He made well in excess of 1100 parachute jumps and was a highly proficient private pilot. Among his many decorations, includes a Purple Heart awarded for service in Vietnam, a Meritorious Service Medal with 1 silver oak leaf cluster, an Air Force Commendation Medal, Distinguished-Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and 3 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, and a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device. He was also an enthusiastic aviator who built and flew his own aircraft as well as an avid car collector with a particular fondness for vintage T-Birds. He had a creative writing ability that reflected the heritage of his distant famous Nobel Prize winner, Aunt Selem Lagerloef. He was preceded in death by his son, Evan Lagerloef. He is survived by his son, Kris Lagerloef of Shalimar, FL, grandson, Evan Joseph Lagerloef, of Panama City, two brothers, Hans Lagerloef and his wife, Susan, of Sugar Grove, IL, George A. Finley and his wife, Phyllis, of Corpus Christi, TX, sister, Sue Moody, of Mesa, AZ, longtime companion, Sharon Barnes, of Panama City and several nieces and nephews. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Oaks by the Bay Park at West 9th Street and Beck Avenue, Panama City with military honors conducted by the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Bay County Humane Society, 1600 Bay Avenue, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of JP Lagerloef.

Wilson Funeral Home