Richard Leche Gaines

He was raised in Covington Louisiana, and was 7th out of 8 children. His siblings were Virginia Gaines (Hoskins), Louise Gaines (Brown) twins Roy Gaines and Bitzy Gaines (Barrios), Mariam Gaines (Epps) and John Gaines.

He attended Covington high School and South Eastern LA University in Hammond LA, earning his degree from Chapman University in Orange CA.

At an early age he fell in love with flying. At 16 he joined the Civil Air Patrol and learned how to fly light aircraft for the Civil Air Patrol, flying missions to rescue people in distress around the LA and TX area. Eager to do more flying he took the exam in New Orleans to become an Air force Pilot. He scored one of the highest scores reported in the Louisiana area. After being accepted to pilot training he was sent to Lackland AFB in Bryan TX as an aviation cadet, where he flew T-33’s and was second in his class. He was then sent to Graham AFB in Marianna FL, for more T-33 flight training. Next he went on to Wichita Kansas for B-47 school. He was selected to join the B-47 squadron at McCoy AFB in Orlando FL. It was in Orlando he met his wife to be Yvonne “Bunny” Sunday, and they were married in 1961.

Married only 2 months Dick was transferred to Castle AFB in CA to learn how to fly B-52’s which he flew almost his entire career. Finishing B-52 school, he was transferred to Walker AFB in Roswell NM. While he was flying, Bunny was teaching school in Roswell when the Cuban Crisis occurred. All the B-52s were sent to other bases in case of an attack from Cuba. While in Roswell Richard Lee Gaines was born and then there was another transfer to Grand Forks AFB in ND. While there Dick was promoted to Major. In Grand Fork AFB daughter Kristi Lynn Gaines was born.

Dick’s crew was so outstanding that they were chosen to represent the SAC wing in the bomb comp, where they were called the Red River Raiders. Next while the family stayed behind Richard was sent to Guam to participate in the Vietnam War where he and his crew flew many enemy combat missions. Returning from Guam, Dick was reassigned to Castle AFB in CA where he became a B-52 Pilot Instructor. There for 3 years, he was sent to Kunsan Korea to work with the TAC squadron, while Bunny and family stayed another year in Merced CA until he returned. Upon his return there was another move to Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro NC. There he was promoted to LT Colonel, eventually commanding the OMS maintenance squadron that led to his attaining the rank of full Colonel. He became the Deputy Commander of Operations of the SAC squadron, which was one of his favorite military positions.

The Air Force then sent Dick to Loring AFB in Maine on the Canadian Boarder where he again became the DCO operations, which put him in charge of the flight line, and launching all the heavy B-52 Bombers. His last assignment before retiring was to Dyess AFB in Abilene TX.

The children were getting older and he decided to retire to the property bought years ago on Lake Minnehaha in Maitland Florida. He received many medals for his service to the Air force and the nation including The Meritorious Service Medal, The Air Force Medal, The Air Force Accommodation Medal, The Vietnam Service Medal and, The Vietnam Gallantry Cross to name a few of his achievements.

Dick was a military man who loved his country and his wife and children first. Upon retiring he continued working for United Services Life Insurance and Investment company, where was received many TOP club awards for his outstanding work performance. He was rewarded with many trips to the Bahamas, Mexico, Canada and California.

While working he also became president of the Minnehaha Shores neighborhood Association where he worked to have better lights installed for the adjoining tennis courts and then plants were planted to keep the lights from disturbing neighbors who lived near by.

Dick enjoyed fishing off his dock and catching many bass and a turtle or two. He spent many hours on the patio reading books he planned to read but never had time to enjoy before. He loved seeing the various animals and birds on the lake, and could identify them all.

When Kristi was married to Michael Hlavek they had his 3 grandchildren Reagan, Delaney and Hudson. He fell in love with each of them. He rocked them when they were little and played ball with them, operated drones with them and even let them paint his face with magic markers. They were the pride and joy of his life along with his wife Bunny to whom he was married to for 60 years.

He was hoping to make it to his 61st anniversary but that was not to be. After fighting COVID-19 in Jan and with bouts of cancer his life was ended on March 3, 2022 with members of his family close by his side. He had a life well lived and a life well loved.