Obituary: John Cal Taylor, 85, Hood River

John Cal Taylor passed away on June 8, 2025, in Hood River after suffering Parkinson's Disease for a few years. He was born on June 17, 1940, in Wildomar, California, to Frank and Dorothy Taylor. Cal was an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and 26-year veteran and authored

“Remembering An Unsung Giant” is about the Douglas C-133 airplane and its people. He was also an accomplished photographer. He had a deep fascination with flying and airplanes from an early age.

When Cal was 6 years old, the family moved to Lakeview, Oregon. He attended a county school, and from the school grounds, he could see the local airport. That airport was like a magnet to Cal! When he neared the age of 15, he managed to find a way to hang out at the airport. He hung around the airport manager, a former B-24 pilot in the Pacific, to allow him to work at the airport and take out his pay in flying lessons. So on June 16, one day before his 15th birthday, he soloed in a Piper Tri-Pacer. For a day, he was the youngest pilot in Oregon. As a local Civil Air Patrol member, Cal participated in the International Aviation Cadet Exchange as a guest of the Swedish Air Force. After that, Sweden always remained deep in his heart, and eventually, he learned Swedish.

His deep fascination with flying and airplanes continued. During his college years at the University of Oregon, Cal participated in the Air Force ROTC Program and dreamed of becoming an Air Force pilot. However, his eyesight kept him from pilot training, so he opted to become a navigator. During his career as an Air Force Navigator, he flew B-52, C-141, AC-130, C-133, and C-130. In 1968-1969, he flew an AC-130 in Vietnam.

In 1974 through 1976, an interesting opportunity came to Cal. The Air Force sent him to San Diego State University for his master’s degree in Asian Studies to become an Air Force Intelligence officer. He always joked about this wonderful assignment! After the completion of his degree, he worked as an intelligence officer at the Pentagon and the 89th Military Airlift Wing, at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, supporting VIP missions worldwide. There, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

In 1980 he went back to flying again, stationing in Yokota AFB, in Tokyo. During that time he met his wife, Ritsuko at Clark air Base. His squadron had frequent missions to Clark and he opted to use these missions to see each other. After one -year-long distance love affairs, Cal and Ritsuko got married at The American Embassy in Tokyo, in 1982 and they shared their life together in Tokyo.

After 2 years in Korea and 26 years in the Air Force Cal decided to retire in 1989. Cal and Ritsuko settled in Olympia, Washington, and he started his dream project, writing a book , about the Douglas C-133 airplane, which he flew 4 years in Travis Air Force Base.

In June 2005, he completed his book, “Remembering An Unsung Giant”. The book was very well received and sold more than 2500 copies worldwide. His website on Facebook:

“Unsung Giant, the C-133”. In 2017, they moved to Hood River, Oregon, to be near their family. At one point, he said to Ritsuko, “I feel very fortunate to have accomplished so much, having a very satisfying, interesting career.” They have been married for 43 years. he was a very humble and kind person.

He is survived by his wife, Ritsuko, brother, Phillip Taylor, stepdaughter, Michele Dearing, stepson, Kevin Dearing, son-in-law, Steve Olson, and granddaughters, Samantha and Rachael Dearing, Mira and Vivian Olson. Cal’s website on Facebook: Unsung Giant, the C-133.

A committal service for John will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Willamete National Cemetery (11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Happy Valley, OR 97086).

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