Herbert “Herb” Allie Mosier, 80, of Navarre, Fla., went home to be with the Lord June 30, 2014 at Chautauqua Rehab and Nursing Center in DeFuniak Springs, Fla. after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
His loving devoted wife of 56 years, Marianne, was holding his hand with his last breath and his daughter, Debbie, son-in-law, Bill, sister-in-law, Janet Mosier, and precious dog, Roxie, were by his side in his final hours.
Herb was born in Charleston, S.C. to Eugene and Beulah Mosier on July 11, 1933.
He was married in Paxville, S.C. to Marianne Pack on Feb. 16, 1958, and they were blessed with two children, daughter, Debbie, and son, Ron.
He gave 48 years of his life to government service, both active duty and civil service. Twenty-one years were with the United States Air Force in Korea, Johnson Island, Iceland, Greenland, Japan, Bermuda, Texas, Alaska, Kansas, North Dakota, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Florida. He served his country in both the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
He participated in more than 50 out-of-country operations during 1967-1968 while assigned to the 432 Civil Engineer Squadron Udorn RTAFB, Thailand. The specific duties and locations were classified and directed by deputy commander 7/13AF at the request of the air attache Vientiane, Laos.
Through the tough times he always relied on the Lord to give him strength, reciting “The Lord’s Prayer” (Matt. 6:9), and it continued as part of his daily life.
He retired from the Air Force in 1972 at Eglin AFB in Florida, and in 1973 rejoined work at Eglin AFB in civil service with his last position as director of logistics with the 96th Civil Engineer Group, from which he retired on June 30, 1999.
He & his family made their home in Fort Walton Beach and finally Navarre, where they built their home “Tranquility” on Santa Rosa Sound.
His dream was also to have a little house in the woods where he could relax and unwind, which came true with his small ranch in DeFuniak Springs.
He loved to spend time there with his son-in-law, Bill, just enjoying the quietness and riding the four-wheelers, and seeing all the deer.
He was blessed with wonderful friends and a very special family at Navarre United Methodist Church, where he regularly attended and served as an usher prior to his failing health.
He always went out of his way to do for others and show his love to all his family and friends as well as strangers he would meet with a smile or kind words.
He served his country with desire and determination, and loved his wife and children with all the fiber within him. He was a good man and believed in his God.
He is survived by his wife, Marianne; daughter, Debbie; son-in-law, Bill Rogers; Debbie’s best friend, Lynn Swaska, who he called his second daughter; his sister, Brenda Douglas (Carl); brother, the Rev. Dr. Eugene Mosier (Jenny); sister Gail Gressette (Reeves); sister-in-law, Janet Mosier; as well as his loving family by marriage mother-in-law, Annie “Bobo” Hodge; sister-in-law, Jean Garnett; brother-in-law, Al Harris (Marguerite); as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.
He is predeceased by his parents Eugene and Beulah Mosier; his son, Ron Mosier; sister, Jean Lane (Edward), brother, Richard Mosier; sister-in-law, Murrianne Geddings (John); brother-in-law, Cal Harris; and nephew, Troy Geddings.
A celebration of Herb’s life and memorial will be held at Navarre United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Dr. Alan Cassady, on July 11, 2014, at 10 a.m., with the memorial service to follow at 11.
Full military honors will follow at 12:30 p.m. at Beal Memorial Cemetery, officiated by his brother, the Rev. Dr. Eugene Mosier and the Rev. Dr. Alan Cassady.
Navarre United Methodist Church will hold a reception for family and friends at their Fellowship Hall following the graveside service.
The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude, love and appreciation for the outstanding care provided by Eglin AFB 96 MDG Family Medicine Residency Program and hospital doctors and staff, with special thanks to his personal primary care physician and friend, Dr. Jeffery Schievenin, and Aliki Liaison and friend, Leslie Perkins, at Eglin Hospital.
Additional thanks to his physicians, Dr. Henry Boilini in Crestview, Fla., Dr. Nicholas Nagrani and Dr. Norman Friedman, both in Fort Walton Beach, as well as all the staff at Chautauqua Rehab and Nursing Center, who showed unbelievable love with outstanding care over the past 60 days of his life before his final blessing of going on to be with his Lord and Savior.
Floral arrangements are being accepted, or memorial donations may be made to the Navarre United Methodist Church Building Fund, 9747 Navarre Pkwy., Navarre, FL 32566.
Arrangements by Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, Fort Walton Beach.
