Wayne Blick K. Blickenstaff

Wayne Blickenstaff passed away on December 23rd, 2011, at the age of 91, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born on June 25th, 1920, in Pomona, California, a son of the late Perry H. Blickenstaff and Hazel (Lewis) Blickenstaff.

Wayne lived in a number of towns during his childhood. During his years at Pomona High School, Wayne, his brother Ralph, and another gymnast formed a three man hand-balancing team and did exhibitions at various local events.

Wayne attended Woodbury Business College in Los Angeles and then joined the U.S. Air Corps in 1942. He flew 133 combat missions with the 353rd Fighter Group in England. Lieutenant Colonel Blickenstaff, a double ace, earned “Ace in a Day” by destroying three W-F90s and two German ME-109s in one day. He was awarded 7 Air Medals, 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the French Croix de Guerre, the Silver Star, and the Distinguished Service Cross.

After the war, he attended Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles, and then moved to New York to become an advertising and editorial illustrator with the prestigious advertising art studio, Charles E. Cooper, Inc. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators.

Wayne joined the Famous Artists School in Westport, Connecticut to manage the newly created Young People’s Art course. He then worked as the Illustration Director for Weekly Reader in Middletown, Connecticut. He illustrated children’s books and publications throughout the years.

In 1989 he retired at the age of 68 and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina to pursue a life-long desire to write. In spite of his poor eye sight, he read one to two books a week and looked forward to frequent trips to the library.

Wayne was a very supportive, compassionate and loving husband and father, a loyal friend, and an encouraging mentor. He recently said what an "unbelievably full and fantastic" life he had led, and how lucky he was to have his childhood dreams come true.

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In addition to his parents, Wayne was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph L. Blickenstaff. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Frances Pickett Blickenstaff, and 7 children:

Eric Blickenstaff (Ernie) of Las Vegas, Nevada

Marc Blickenstaff (Linda) of Cornelius, North Carolina

Gina Blickenstaff of Boulder, Colorado

Gib Furgurson of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Brenda Grimes of Charlotte, North Carolina

Gayle Wellborn (Bart) of Charlotte, North Carolina

Perry Blickenstaff of Charlotte, North Carolina

He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.