Obituary of Maj Damon Neal Lum, U.S. Air Force,

Damon Neal Lum was born February 23, 1955 in Lawton, Oklahoma to Merle and Geraldine Lum.� The family then moved to Cache, Oklahoma where he attended kindergarten and graduated from Cache High School. Damon attended the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado graduating with the Class of 1978 with a degree in Mathematics. He continued his education with advanced degrees in Computer Science, Mathematics and Operation Research. Growing up in a small town Damon joined the Air Force in his words "to see and experience the world".� His first assignment was with the 552nd AWAC Wing, Tinker AFB, ninety�miles from his hometown.� In Oklahoma City he met Diane Fluty on a blind date and they were married April 19, 1980. They have three wonderful sons, Matthew, Eric, and Carl.� Over the years Damon enjoyed the time spent with his sons, whether it was coaching their sports, as a scout leader, camping, fishing, or talking and watching Cowboys football.� Some of his favorite father/son times were canoeing and fishing in the Canadian Boundary Waters, camping and hiking in Yellowstone National Park, and trips to the Cowboys Training Camp.His time in the Air Force included 961st AWACS, Kadena AFB; F-16XL Combined Test Force, Edwards AFB, California; Chief Analyst for the F-16C OT&E, Luke AFB, Arizona, as part of the 57th Fighter Weapons Wing; Tactical Weapons Analyst, Fighter Division, Air Force Studies and Analysis, Pentagon. After retiring from the Air Force he worked several years as a contractor on numerous Defense and National Security Agency projects.� He then began a Civil Service career as an analyst working with Air Force Space Command, Peterson AFB, Colorado and 3rd Air Force, Ramstein AFB, Germany.� He retired as Chief of Modeling and Simulation, Air Force Space Command.Damon loved running (including the Pikes Peak Ascent), hiking, fishing, hunting, the mountains and being outside in "big sky" country.� He loved traveling the world with Diane where they would spend weeks in one region of a country traveling the backroads in a rental car or hopping on and off buses and trains.� They had plans for many exciting adventures together with their sons and grandchildren.Damon is survived by, Diane, his wife of forty-two years; sons, Matthew and daughter-in-love, Amanda, Eric and Carl; two beautiful grandchildren, who would light up his eyes, Perrin and River; his father, Merle Lum; and brother, Don Lum and his wife, Patricia.Graveside Service, 10:00AM, Tuesday, June 28, 2022, Air Force Academy Cemetery, Air Force Academy, Colorado.Memorial contributions can be made to the Chondrosarcoma Research Foundation, 12504 Quarterhorse Drive, Bowie, Maryland 20720; or the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, Connecticut 06851. Events Graveside Tuesday, June 28, 2022 10:00AM Air Force Academy Cemetery Cemetery Road Air Force Academy, CO 80840 Phone: 719-328-1793