Kevin Countie

Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Countie, USAF Retired, 88, passed away peacefully on June 29, 2020. He was a deeply loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, committed to his faith, family and country. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts on June 28, 1932 to John Thomas Countie and Mary Frances McCarthy of Revere, Massachusetts. He graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in Revere, Massachusetts and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and was selected for Aviation Cadets in 1951. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant following his graduation from navigator training in 1952. He was very proud of his twenty plus year career as a navigator/observer having served on B-66, C-123, O-2, OV-10 and C-141 aircraft before retiring as a Command Navigator in 1972.
He served at many duty stations during his career but was most proud of his assignments with operational squadrons. He was stationed at RAF Sculthorpe and was assigned to a B-66 bomber squadron with a tactical nuclear mission. He then transferred to Pope AFB where he transitioned to the C-123 aircraft. He and members of his squadron developed low level mountainous terrain navigation techniques, which became applicable to flying in Southeast Asia. He deployed to Vietnam as an advisor and trained South Vietnamese air crew members and supported U.S. Special Operations forces missions during his tour. Following his deployment to Vietnam, he was assigned to the 1st Commando Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Among the many missions his squadron flew, he conducted operational testing and dropped the first “Daisy Cutter” bomb at the Eglin AFB test range. He also supported combat operations during the Dominican Republic uprising. Shortly thereafter, he transitioned to the O-2 and OV-10 aircraft and was deployed to Thailand and flew as a forward air controller directing combat airstrikes in Southeast Asia. His last duty station was Dover AFB where he flew the C-141 aircraft. Among their worldwide missions, his squadron regularly flew as part of the presidential detail transporting secret service and other support personnel when the President traveled.
After retiring, he became a very successful sales representative, selling compressed air packages and blowers to the petrochemical, oil & gas and manufacturing industries along the gulf coast. However, of all his accomplishments, what made him most proud were his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He simply cherished them.
He is preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Pauline Oates Countie of Livingston, Texas, whom he adored. He is survived by his loving son COL (RET) Kevin T. Countie, USA and wife, Dr. Deborah Countie along with their children, Claire Bryant, Anna and Alan Kwok; his daughter Karen Barnes and husband, John along with their children, Julia, Brian and Amy Barnes; his daughter Eileen Johnston and husband, Pete along with their children, Hilary and Max Roeder, Abby and John Rutherford, Jr. and Will Johnston; his son MCPO (RET) Gregory Countie, USN and wife, Carol along with their children, James and ENS Bradley Countie, USN; his son Stephen Countie and wife, Cindy along with their children, SCPO Don Swope, USN and wife Holly, ND2 Kevin E. Countie, USN, Aubrey and Daniel Ringer; his daughter Catherine Devall along with her children, John Devall IV, Allison and Nick Townsend; his daughter Constance Countie; and great grandchildren Margaret Rutherford, Aurora Townsend, Merrick Swope, Remi Swope and Paisley Ringer.
A memorial service will be held at Crowder Funeral Home on East Medical Center Drive in Webster, Texas at 10 AM on Friday, July 10, 2020, for immediate family members and their children. The service will be broadcast on-line via livestream for friends and other family members. A graveside service with military honors will be conducted at Houston National Cemetery on Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX at 1PM on Friday, July 10, 2020.

12 comments

  1. Carol and Greg,
    Sorry to hear of the loss of Greg’s father. May you find comfort in your memories of him. Sincere sympathy to you both and your family.

    Belle Beatty
  2. Very sorry for your loss. 🙏

    Bill & Anne Marie Countie
  3. We were so saddened to hear of the passing of Mr. Countie. We have many fond memories of time spent with Mr. Countie at the many combined family gatherings. We send our deepest condolences to the Countie family.

    Kathy & Skipper Lincecum
  4. Cathy and Connie , sorry to hear of the loss of your father . You are in my thoughts and prayers. Much love , Pamela Kowalski

    Pamela Kowalski
  5. Greg and Carol so sorry to hear of your loss. May your family be touched by God as he guides you through the transition of loosing your father but gaining an angel who will look over you. Lots of love from your extended family The Roush’s

    AECAW Ronald S. Roush USN Retired
  6. We would like to express our sincere condolences to all of the Countie family and extended family. Mr and Mrs. Countie were an extra set of parents who lived just a few houses down the street from our family. All of the Counties made all of our lives special in a wonderful time growing up. With simpathy to all and God Bless.

    John & Renee Taylor
  7. My sincere condolences to my friends the Counties. Y’all are all in my prayers.

    Scott Crowhurst
  8. Steve,
    Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. He had a wonderful life. He was in the Air Force the same time as my Dad. Be well.

    John Keenan
  9. Connie, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during you time of grief. We are deeply sorry for your loss. Please lean on us if you need a shoulder to cry on.

    Karen Gross
  10. Gregg, sorry for your loss. What a career and life your father lived.
    I am humbled. Semper Fi.
    John and Rita Harris
    Camino South.

    JohnHarris
  11. Connie,
    Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. Please know we are here for you.

    Karen Gross
  12. To the Countie Family:

    We attended week day Mass at St. Bernadette’s Church
    with Kevin for several years.
    Please accept our sympathy .

    Jim and Mary Lou Pawlowski

    Jim and Mary Lou Pawlowski

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