Dwayne T. Flatt

2/2/1937 – 9/26/2021

Dwayne T. Flatt, Major US Air Force Retired, passed away September 26th, 2021, at the age of 84 in Jackson, TN. He was born in Memphis, TN February 2nd, 1937, to the late Rev. F.A. Flatt and Thelma Flatt. When he was two years old he and his family were missionaries in Cuba. They returned during the beginning of WWII. When returning to Memphis his father served on the Memphis conference. They had fond memories of friends in Memphis. When coming to Jackson the family had a great love for their horse, Nancy, stabled where the old Jackson clinic is now. Dwayne went to school at Memphis, Paducah, and Jackson High in 1955. After that he went to Lambuth University where he graduated in 1960 as a counselor at Lake Shore Methodist Camp, Lake Junaluska in North Carolina, and he served Lexington Circuit as a student pastor. He also sang in a choir for 50 years. While in school he also received his pilot’s license. In 1961 Dwayne joined the U.S. AF to train as a navigator. His first assignment was Hickman Air Force Base in Hawaii. While there he flew C124’s all over the Pacific. Then he was stationed in Macon, GA. with the aeronautical photomapping regiment, where he flew missions over Vietnam and North Vietnam doing photomapping recon. He also flew in South America and Ethiopia. The unit moved to Topeka, KS where it began to phase out. Dwayne moved to McClellan Air Force Base with the 9th weather wing, where he was master navigator. While he was there, he flew through cyclones and hurricanes. His next station was Guam where he flew weather. Then he went to Biloxi, MS where he flew through more hurricanes. He was then stationed in Little Rock Air Force Base, which was his final and retiring base as Major. During his service he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster & two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Readiness Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, and National Defense Service. Once retired, he worked a schedule around “The Price is Right” and “Jeopardy.” In 1972 he met his soon to be wife, Betty, at the officer’s club. They married on June 30th , 1973. Betty had six children: Athena “Tina” Farnsworth of Marshall, TX, Anthony Boyd Sacramento, CA, Greg Bucahanan (Ashla) of Baton Rouge LA, and Tarri Henderson of Cabot AR. He lost Venus Borgilt (Steve), Dawn Saucier (Charles), a son-in-law Kent Farnsworth, and two infant brothers. Dwayne adopted his daughters. He leaves his wife Betty of Jackson, TN, his sister Jayne (Reverend Wayne) Fesmire of Jackson, 24 grandchildren, 35 great- grandchildren, and numerous nieces & nephews. Dwayne was an organ donor and an Eagle Scout. Burial will be private at Parkers Crossroads Veterans Cemetery on October 15th , 2021. A memorial service at First United Methodist Church in Jackson, TN will be held October 16th , 2021.