Col. William (Bill) W. Lofgren, Jr. who died February 8th , 2023, was born July 1938 in Amarillo, Texas as son of William W. and Thelma Lofgren. He was a member of Palo Duro High School’s first graduating class, Amarillo in 1956. He attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock and graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1960 with a B.S. in history and was commissioned into the United States Air Force where he served 30 years and rose to the rank of Colonel. He obtained a Master’s Degree from Auburn University in Political Science. In 1968 he married Teresa Marie Gatti from Philadelphia, PA, and together they served with their children, Danea and Damon, lived in California, Alaska, Alabama, Maryland, Germany, Florida, and Virginia.
Colonel Lofgren retired in 1990 where he was on the faculty of the Air War College in Montgomery, Alabama and moved to St. Petersburg. He was employed as Principal Planner by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council from 1991 until 2008 and served for 14 years as the staff coordinator for the Tampa Bay Local Emergency Planning Committee. Upon retirement, Colonel Lofgren was active in the Propeller Club, Port of Tampa, serving as Secretary for 5 years; and was member of the Executive Board of the St. Petersburg Area Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and was a Life Member of MOAA.
Colonel Lofgren was a member of Suncoast Cathedral of St. Petersburg and served as Director of Christian Education from 1990 to 1993 and Director of Men’s Ministries from 1993 to 2002. From 1990 until his death he also served as Chairman of the Veteran’s Committee of Suncoast Cathedral, served as an usher, and was a member of the outreach team feeding the homeless at Pinellas County’s Safe Harbor. Colonel Lofgren is a member of the Gideons International. He also volunteered as entertainment coordinator for 12 years with The Annual Festival of Trees, a charitable endeavor benefitting children of Pinellas County. He was also a volunteer with the St. Petersburg Opera Company. Colonel Lofgren was a member of the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association and a life member of the Air Force Association.
He is survived by his loving wife, Teresa (Terry), a daughter, Danea Heahlke-Allen; a son-in-law, Larry Allen; four granddaughters; Kayla, Amanda, Amber and Katie; a son, Damon and daughter-in-law, Laureen Lofgren; a brother, Robert, who resides in Amarillo, TX; and a sister, Mary and brother-in-law, Mark (Buddy) Boykin who reside in Palestine, Texas. Funeral services will be at Suncoast Cathedral on February 21st at 11am with viewing one hour before the service at 10am. Colonel Lofgren will be interred at the Sarasota National Cemetery, Sarasota, FL with full Military Honors on the 22nd of February at 1:30 pm.
Being a retired fellow Air Force officer, I had the privilege of working with Bill on our Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Executive Board, in addition to sharing an interest with him in the St Petersburg Opera. As MOAA’s photographer, his contributions were far reaching, literally documenting the history of our local association. A gentleman through and through, Bill’s hallmark, volunteerism, defined his life. Rest in Peace fellow warrior. May your Flight West be smooth.
I’ve known Bill all of his life. First as a cousin (our mothers were sisters), then as a fellow USAF officer … but always as family. He arrived on this planet exactly 12 months after I did. I recall his mastery of the piano (playing by ear) and growing up together in Amarillo with fond memories of so many seasonal gatherings. Our careers separated as I left the Air Force after nine years, but we remained in contact with Christmas cards and the family “grape vine.” As said, Bill’s life was service and caring for others in a leadership context. What a great legacy and example! These will strengthen his family mightily through the days ahead. I loved this fine man! We will never forget him!
I’ve known Bill all of his life. First as a cousin (our mothers were sisters), then as a fellow USAF officer … but always as family. He arrived on this planet exactly 12 months after I did. I recall his mastery of the piano (playing by ear) and growing up together in Amarillo with fond memories of so many seasonal gatherings. Our careers separated as I left the Air Force after nine years, but we remained in contact with Christmas cards and the family “grape vine.” As said, Bill’s life was service and caring for others in a leadership context. What a great legacy and example! These will strengthen his family mightily through the days ahead. I loved this fine man! We will never forget him!