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USAF VET 1st. Lt. Jerry Don Voss began a 40-plus year career as a pilot in 1965
Born to cotton-farming parents at Mahoney, Texas, Jerry Don Voss wanted to fly from the time he was old enough to spot an airplane in the sky.
Voss got his wish and made a career out of it, becoming a US Air Force captain. He flew his first aircraft in 1965, as a graduate of Texas A&M University, during Air Force pilot training at Laredo.
Over the course of 43 years, Voss served his country in Germany as a fighter pilot in the first F-4 Phantom Aircraft unit and as a fighter pilot for the Texas Air National Guard. He also flew commercially for Braniff, Eastern and American Airlines and, in later years, piloted for a local construction company.
He also raised a family and supported his hometown community of Sulphur Springs, Texas, USA.
Voss still loves planes as much as he loves his country, and today serves as a volunteer guide at the Mid-America Flight Museum in Mount Pleasant, Texas.
Voss feels strongly about the living treasury of history and education that the Mid-America Flight Museum offers the public.
Just as Scott Glover, the owner of the privately owned collection oversees the dozens of restored vintage, warbird, and commercial aircraft on display, he also maintains three goals: to honor the nation’s veterans, to promote aviation and history to our youth, and to preserve the uniquely exciting histories of the aircraft.
With a similar passion, Voss enjoys 'aviation mentoring,' especially children and students, and explaining our American legacy of freedom which has been won in the air by veterans during war times.
For July 1, 2023, Voss has organized a group outing for local residents who would like to tour the museum as part of our national Fourth of July celebration.
Voss said the group's itenerary will begin at 10 a.m. with a guided tour of the displays and educational spaces inside the Flight Museum. A fly-by with historic aircraft is also tentatively scheduled. Next, following a lunchtime break at Burgers and Fries at noon, the group will take a short jaunt to Efurds Peach Orchard near Pittsburg, Texas, for peach ice cream and the fresh peach market.
The group will return to Sulphur Springs by 6 p.m., just in time for the 31st annual Independence Concert and Fireworks at 8 p.m. on Celebration Plaza in the heart of downtown Sulphur Springs.
Capt. Voss said his final remarks-July 1, will be to remind Americans to 'Say your prayers tonight and thank God for the veterans who put their lives on the line, and in some cases gave their lives, for the freedom we have to live in the United States of America and to worship where we want, when we want, and how we want.'