"I served with Mr Gee in Vietnam. His job required courage just to face the danger there was every day. He was a humble, courageous man."
In loving memory of
Randall "Randy" Stewart Gee
March 8, 2015
Randall (Randy) Stewart Gee passed quietly at home surrounded by family and loved ones on Sunday, March 8th, at 5:00pm after his second courageous battle with cancer.Randy will be remembered for his kind heart, outgoing personality and his lifelong support and commitment to his friends and colleagues within aviation, military, boating and business communities. He was a team player, always willing to lend a hand, make a connection, share his passion and experience. He is truly a survivor of many acts of valor and life's little adventures which he loved sharing with others. Randy grew up in Fiskville, Rhode Island, working on the family's Arkwright Poultry and Dairy farm and was active in the local 4-H Club. He would often tell a story of his first ever day off work - his first Sunday in the Army - because as a farm boy, the cows and chickens always came first. Born on January 29, 1946 he was the son of Richard Gee of Cranston, RI and Juanita Gee of Middletown, RI. He attended Cranston East High School after which he joined the Army to pursue his life's dream of flying.He graduated from the U.S. Army Officer Pilot Training School, Fort Rucker, Alabama in 1966 where he went on to fly UH-1 helicopters with the 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airmobile) 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion. A highly decorated military pilot, he received The Air Medal with 25 clusters, the Bronze Star and The Air Medal with "V" device for his heroism and meritorious achievements during combat operations in Vietnam.Awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1968 for heroism while participating in aerial flight evidenced by voluntary action above and beyond the call of duty in the Republic of Vietnam. Warrant Officer Gee distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous action while serving as a pilot of an armed helicopter during a combat mission in the A Shau Valley. While air assaulting troops into enemy controlled terrain, Warrant Officer Gee constantly exposed himself to the intense hostile ground fire as he air lifted troops and supplies into the embattled area. Although his aircraft received over 200 hits from the hostile ground fire, he successfully completed his mission. His outstanding flying ability and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.Randy served as a U.S. Army instructor pilot for 2 years at Hunter Army Base in Savannah, Georgia and continued to serve as an Officer with the Connecticut National Guard for 13 years. Type rated in many aircraft including Shorts 360, L1011s, Cessna Citation, Falcon 20 and Boeing 727, Randy lived his passion for flying with Federal Express in the early years, Air Transport International and American Airlines.After retiring from commercial flying, he founded Global Sourcing Solutions and American Quality Standard Products, sourcing component parts for manufacturing operations in the U.S. and abroad. He continued to stay active within the aviation community, often flying is Piper Arrow named "The Juliet" across the country for any reason, and had over 20,000 flight hours.Randy was a member of the Viet Nam Helicopter Pilots Association, AOPA, EAA, Newport Yacht Club, and a past corporate sponsor to the US Naval War College Foundation. He is survived by his son Brandon "Barry" Gee of Memphis Tennessee and in the hearts and thoughts of many dear friends.The funeral will be held on Monday, March 16, at 10:00 a.m. for family and close friends at the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 301 South County Trail, Exeter, RI. A special memorial will be planned in late Summer, early Fall. Please check Memorial Funeral Homess website for further details.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associations (AOPA) or the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Boston, MA 02115
Tributes
"I shared an apartment with Randy when he was stationed at Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, GA in 1969..I. was his best man at his wedding in 1969..I stayed in the Savannah, GA area after getting out of the Army in December 1969, and am still in the Coastal SE GA area..I remember Randy as a fun- loving guy and we had many good times..I just found his obit and wish his family my sincere condolences..Dave Ager..daveager@gmail.com"
"My condolences and sympathies to the Randall Gee family. I was saddened to hear about Randy's passing. He was a member of the Class of 1965 graduating from Cranston High School West in Cranston, RI. I remember Randy usually wearing a shirt and tie to school, but sometimes he'd wear an open collared shirt and a pullover sweater. Always so neat and organized. I remember that he took a lot of ribbing because he was growing up on a farm in Fiskville, RI. I had heard that he flew helicopters in Vietnam during the war, but didn't know about his love for aviation until now. I applaud and salute Randy for his service to country.Bob Krekorian, 18 Mar 15 at 8:49 p.m."
"Randy was a fellow flight school classmate, a fellow member of the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam, and a brother in arms. I am sorry to hear of his recent passing. In military aviation, we refer to that as "Flying West". We all face our final westbound flight at some time and it's where we rejoin one another in flight formation. We extend our condolences and prayers to all his friends and family, and extend our best "hand salute" to our brother.Mel CanonWORWAC 67-7B/C 227th AHB, 1st Cavalry Divisionmelcanon@yahoo.com"
"I'll always remember Randy's infectious smile, his inquisitive nature, of course his passion for flying, and most of all his friendship. I knew little of his background, and I am profoundly impressed, but not at all surprised. I will miss Randy. Sincere condolences to Judy and his family."
"Greater Providence - Tuesday, July 30, 1968Home Cooking Cures War ShellingBy John B Lake Jr.When "Randy" Gee was a boy he kept a Guernsey cow as a 4-H project at his father's Arkwright Farm in Fiskeville, and you can bet it was the best-cared for bossy aroundCame his teen years and guests at the Revolutionary War era farm weren't surprised to hear who was piloting the Piper Cub circling overhead and dipping wings. It was then 18-year old student pilot Randy.So it didn't surprise when Army Warrant Officer Randall S. Gee, now 22, got back safely from a year's Vietnam war duty as an assault helicopter pilot with decorations and commendations.Friends have come to expect Randy, the sone of Richard Gee, superintendent of the state institutional farms, and Mrs. Juanita Gee, a prize-winning raiser of Rhode Ilsand Red Bantams, to do any job conscientiously and painstakingly.The dedication to duty that won him the Air Medal and has resulted in a recommendation he be awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, higest flying award, obviously took a lot out of him.It's not just that he lost 20 pounds. It's that he's seen more than his share of war in 1,117 combat flying hours this year. It's plain he can use a good rest before reporting to Hunter Army Air Base, Savannah, GA., to teach helicopter instrument flying, hopefully for the last two years of his hitch. Then his sights are set on college.Still not too far from mind are the 20 copters, or "hueys," that were shot up by Viet Cong ground fire as he flew them with an assault helicopter battalion of the First Air Cavalry Division.Or the crewman who were wounded on his ships, shot through the elbow or the foot. Or the wounded crying in pain he evacuated from the jungle under fire, at times chopping up the trees with his ship's two rotor blades to clearn an "L.Z.," or landing zone.It was tough duty from the time he arrived in Vietnam and went to "Charm School," the name the men gave classes in survival techniques, how to look out for booby traps and land mines.He surprised his sweetheart and about-to-be fiancee, Miss Fay Benjamin of Auburn, when he took here to a movie on a recent hot night. He was cold. She understood when he told here it had been 125 degrees in Vietnam's tropical weather. But there was also rain, once for 42 straight days.It wasn't the leaky, sand-bagged tents or the lizards that crawled on them at Phan Thiet that bothered so much. It was the "incoming," the mortar and rocket rounds from the Viet Cong guerrillas who could disassemble and move their mortars in minutes.They usually came at night - for nights without end - and it was risky to try to brave open ground in a run from a sandbagged tent to an underground bunker. When the base moved, which it did plenty, it meant another sandbagging job.VC suicide squads infiltrated with a mission to put aircraft out of action, not to kill personnel, he said.Among Warrant Officer Gee's prized commendations is one from Maj. Gen. John J. Tolson, commanding general of the First Air Cavalry Division. That was for skill in making a forced landing when his ship was shot up and the engine failed. With about three feet to spare among jungle trees, he landed without further damage. The copter was recovered and back in action in a day.With Miss Benjamin (whom he met when they were classmates at Cranston High East, Calss of 1965) to boost his morale, Randy is starting to relax from the year of high tension. His mother also is building him up - her cooking put three pounds on him a week, getting him up to 131.The two appear to be just the right medicine for a tired airman who was flying 50-60 missions a day not too many days ago."
"My condoles to Judy who Randy loved and cherished and his friends and family who he loved so much too. He was kind and generous and always took time to get to know the people around him. I will miss his uplifting smile and happy appreciation for life. He loved flying and made everyone around him an aviation enthusiast. I glad to have known such a gifted man! RIP"
"3 files added to the album New Album Name"
"Randy was one of my favorite customers. Whenever he had a computer issue, I was always glad to hear his call for help as it was always positive. In the end we would shake our heads in amazement of how we can put a man on the moon, an aircraft in flight, but not a fluid comouter system. RIP my friend, fair winds and following seas."
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"Barry, You are in my thoughts and prayers.I wish I had been privileged to get to know your Dad.Gene Holcomb"
"I am so thankful that I knew Randy. He was warm, fund, optimistic, concerned, sweet, enthusiastic, and kind to me. I only wish I'd been able to spend more time. Your friend always,Gretchen"
"Indeed,Bob"
"5 files added to the album 1st Air Cavalry 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion"
"1 file added to the album New Album Name"
"Randy was a man for others and a man for all seasons...as well as a Great American and heroic veteran. He had an unequalled joie de vie and lived to fly. He was instantly befriended by all with whom he came in contact. Farewell and blue skies always old friend. May the wind be on your back, the sun shine upon your face and the Good Lord hold you in the palm of his hand.Col Bob"
"So long Mr. Gee. Michael Dubberly, CWO-2, A Company, 227 Bn, First Air Cavalry Div."