Milton A. Loros, Jr.

Milton A. Loros, Jr., 84, beloved husband of Mary Loros, loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather, died on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 at his home in Troy of natural causes. He enriched the lives of his family and many friends. During his amazing life and adventures, he spent time at a number of airbases throughout the world and touched countless lives.

Early in his career, at Tyndall Air Force Base, he piloted a landmark flight that marked the Air Defense Command’s first long-range flight that included missile firings at drones and aerial refueling on the same mission. He continued to add to his experiences as a fighter pilot and bomber pilot, and from 1964 to 1967 was commander of an auxiliary airbase in Walla Walla, Washington. As conflict broke out in Vietnam, he piloted a myriad of combat missions out of Utapao, Thailand. He also flew to Korea to assist their forces. During this time he received the Air Medal for his distinguished service as a B-52 aircraft commander. Not one to “rest on his laurels,” as peacetime returned he became a flight instructor, sharing his knowledge with up-and-coming pilots. His talents flying many different craft with precision and expertise as well as his willingness to “go the extra mile” earned him the Commendation Medal in 1973, recognition of his twenty years of distinguished service for our country.

After his retirement from the United States Air Force and moving his family to Montana, he continued in service of our country as a member of the U.S. Forest Service for another 15 years. He became a hunter safety instructor, and for 25 years he taught students the safe and effective way to care for and handle firearms. For over 10 years he contributed time and energy to the McCormick School Board, and never hesitated to help family, friend or neighbor in times of need.

And now this exceptional man, known as Mick to his wife and many friends, and as dad, grandpa and great-grandpa to his family, flies higher than ever before, freed from earthly boundaries. We will miss his quirky sense of humor, his heart and desire to help and educate others, and his enthusiasm to “do it right the first time.” Mission Control has called him back to Base.

Services will be at 11 a.m., on Monday, April 30, 2018 at the family home at 5015 Old US 2 North, Troy MT 59935. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.