Obituary of LTC John Walker Self-Medlin, USAF,

LTC John Self-Medlin, USAF, (Ret.), 71, passed away October 13, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. John was born March 24, 1948 in Greensboro, North Carolina to John and Jane Self and grew up in the quiet town of Eden, North Carolina. After attending the United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School for a year, John received his commission and earned a Bachelor of Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 1971. He then attended pilot training in Selma, Alabama where he met the love of his life while she was attending Judson College. They married in 1972 at Fort Benning, Georgia, and moved to California to a new duty station. Shortly thereafter, John was assigned to several missions in Southeast Asia, where he flew EC-121 ISR missions from 1972 to 1974 and received the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.His daughter, Yehudi, was born in 1974 and shortly after, the family moved to Germany. From 1975 to 1979, John was stationed at the Rhein-Main Airbase where he flew C-130 missions through the Berlin corridor. During his time in Europe, he earned three Air medals (first, second and third Oak Leaf Cluster) for critical missions through hazardous terrain and marginal weather conditions despite great personal risk. In 1978, he earned his MBA from the University of Utah.In 1982, John decided to transition from active duty to the Air Force Reserves at Duke Field (711th Special Operations Squadron of the 919th SO Wing) and began flying AC-130s. At this time, he also began civilian life as an accountant in Crestview, Florida, and later earned his CPA license. He was proud to provide AC-130 close air support in Operation Just Cause, for which his unit received the Outstanding Unit Award. In the late eighties, his crew provided support in a rescue mission for a downed air craft in the Gulf of Mexico.In 1983, the family welcomed a new addition; his son, Justus. Two years later, John became an auditor for the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General and the family moved to Gainesville, Florida. He retired from the USAF Reserves in 1993 after achieving the rank of Lt. Colonel and retired from the USDA in 2018 after forty-nine years of Military and Government Service. In 2013, his best friend and grandson, Walker, was born. Walker was the light of his life and the two had fun exploring science, learning to golf and fish, and meandering around museums. John and his AFA best friend, Jim Downs, enjoyed many a practical joke and juvenile sense of humor (continuing long after college). John practically grew up on a golf course and enjoyed the game throughout his life, especially when his children joined him. He loved flying, but when it was time to hang up his wings, he thrived in the world of auditing. He was known throughout USDA-SE for creating the largest spreadsheets and most thorough reports in the region. John will be remembered for his quiet, humble nature, his love and dedication to his family, and his service to country.He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jane Self; his brothers, Roy and Martin; and his granddaughter, Olivia.John is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Brenda; his daughter, Yehudi Self-Medlin; his son, Justus Self-Medlin; his grandson, Walker Self; his sister, Deborah Scott; sister-in-law, Cynthia Layfield; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation, 9:00AM-11:00AM, Friday, November 8, 2019, The Springs Funeral Services - North, 6575 Oakwood Boulevard, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80923.Funeral Service, 1:00PM, Friday, November 8, 2019, The United States Air Force Academy Community Center Chapel, 5134 Cathedral Drive, Suite 100, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado 80840.Interment, United States Air Force Academy Cemetery, 2168 Field House Drive, United States Air Force Academy, Colorado.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in John's memory may be made to The Gary Sinise Foundation or The United States Air Force Academy Chapel. Events Visitation Friday, November 8, 2019 9:00AM - 11:00AM The Springs Funeral Services - North 6575 Oakwood Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80923 Phone: 719-207-8611 Funeral Service Friday, November 8, 2019 1:00PM United States Air Force Community Center Chapel 5134 Cathedral Drive, Suite 100 United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840 Phone: (719) 333-3300 Final Resting Place Air Force Academy Cemetery Cemetery Road Air Force Academy, CO 80840