Alan Pierce Lurie

Alan Lurie, 84, died in Tucson on Tuesday, September 12, 2017. He was born on March 24, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Louis and Edith (Bedol) Lurie.

On September 5, 1954, Alan married Mary Todd at Euclid Avenue Jewish Temple in Cleveland. Alan and Mary were both students at The Ohio State University, meeting in an arts history course.

In 1955 Alan earned a BA degree in history from Ohio State and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant after completing Air Force ROTC. He went on to have a very distinguished 32-year career in the Air Force, retiring as a General Officer.

Alan and Mary had three children before Alan started his service in Vietnam. Alan was an ace F-4C fighter pilot, with 75 combat missions flown. Shot down over North Vietnam on June 13, 1966, Alan was a prisoner of war for nearly 7 years, with the last few months being at the notorious Hoa Lo prison (“Hanoi Hilton”).

Following his repatriation on February 12, 1973, Alan returned to his family in Apple Valley, CA; he had missed more than seven years in the growth of his three children. Still, despite the loss of those years, he provided his children with many beloved memories.

Alan continued to excel in Air Force assignments for another 14 years. He was the Commander of the 836th Air Division at Davis-Monthan AFB from November 1982 until September 1984, and retired in June 1987. During his career, Alan earned a chestful of Air Force medals, most notably the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal; Silver Star; 3 Legions of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; 3 Bronze Stars, one with “V” device; 2 Meritorious Service Medals; 4 Air Medals; 2 Air Force Commendation Medals; Prisoner of War Medal; and 2 Purple Hearts.

After military retirement, he had a second career as the Vice President of the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association.

Alan’s primary retirement hobby was fly fishing. He tied his own fishing flies and enjoyed fishing getaways with buddies several times per year.

Survivors include three children, Kim, Kit (son-in-law Bill Zarbis), and Cameron (daughter-in-law Angie) Lurie; two grandchildren, Kaitlin and Amelia; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Lurie.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Mary; his parents; a brother, Joel; and a grandson, Matheson Lurie.

A memorial service at East Lawn Palms Mortuary, 5801 E. Grant Road, will be held on Saturday, September 23 at 5pm. Burial will follow at Arlington National Cemetery.