Raphael J Micek

USAF Ret. Maj. Raphael “Ray” John Micek, 75, of Pflugerville, Texas, died Dec. 19, 2017 after a lengthy battle with cancers.

Born Oct. 24, 1942 to Alphons and Emilia Micek in Columbus, Neb., Ray graduated from St. Bonaventure High School (1960) and earned a BS degree from the University of Nebraska (1965) where he was part of the ROTC program. He received an officer commission to the USAF and entered pilot training.

Ray married Margaret Klassen Nov. 26, 1966 and was stationed in Germany, where their family experienced Europe, and later across the USA seeing the sights of the country he loved and defended. During his USAF career, Ray logged 3,650 flight hours over four continents. He was stationed at Da Nang Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, in 1970 as part of the 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing. He went on to become a Flight Instruction Pilot in the F-4, T-37, T-41 and T-3, and influenced the life of 1,000s of new pilots.

On Nov. 17, 1978, Ray survived a supersonic ejection from his F-4 over the Mediterranean Sea flying out of Incirlik Air Base, Turkey. Due to injuries suffered, he medically retired in 1981 & went on to train future USAF pilots at Hondo, Texas, in the Air Force Pilot Screen Program.

Texas became his family’s home as they settled in San Antonio and later moved to Pflugerville. Ray was a loyal Husker and was active with his church as an usher, EME, pastoral council, Building Fund Committee, Knights of Columbus, Mens’ Club, and was also active in his community with the Boy Scouts Leadership Committee, boys baseball, girls softball, HOA, as well as in the USAF as a instructor pilot, flight commander, Ops officer, and flight leader.

Ray is survived by his wife, Marge, of Pflugerville, TX; children: Renee (Michael) Keese of Round Rock, TX; Deanna (Chris) Bodine of Bastrop, TX; Jerred (Beth) Micek of Houston, TX; Kassia Micek of Houston, TX; & Marissa Micek of Austin, TX; & eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Rachel.