Obituary of USAF (Ret.) Lt. Colonel Albert Earl Tollefsen
Retired USAF Lt. Colonel Albert E. Tollefsen passed away on April 3, 2021. A visitation with family and friends will be held on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. A Funeral Service honoring Albert’s life will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 11:00AM in the Chapel of Heritage Memorial Funeral Home. Immediately following the services, a private burial will be held for family only at Andersonville National Cemetery.
Al was born on July 4th, 1940. He attended Southern Illinois University where Al met and married Charlene Schlueter. After he graduated in 1963, he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant in the USAF. After officer and pilot training, he was deployed for one of 3 Vietnam tours. He was a B-52 pilot and then sent back for helicopter air rescue.
During his career in the USAF, he was a pilot for twenty years, flying both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. He was highly decorated, including 2 distinguished flying crosses, 3 meritorious service medals, 11 air medals, commendations medals, and a humanitarian service medal.
After retirement, he became a certified veterinarian technician and he raised llamas with his wife.
He was survived by his wife of 58 years, Charlene Tollefsen, his son Ed Tollefsen (Janan) of Houston, TX., his daughter Sandy (Mark) Arrington of Byron, GA., his grandchildren Adam (Jenny) Arrington, Stevie Arrington, Marissa Arrington of Byron GA., Ashlyn Upshaw of Houston, TX. great granddaughter Maggie Arrington of Byron, GA., and his brother Edward (Cheree) Tollefsen of Rio Linda, CA.
He was proceeded in death by his parents Albert & Ruth Tollefsen, his son Jeffrey Tollefsen, and his granddaughter Meghan Arrington.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully asks that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 804 Cherry Street Suite A, Macon, Georgia 31201.
Please go to www.heritagememorialfuneralhome.com to sign the online guestbook and to leave a condolence for the family.
It is with great honor Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory has been entrusted with Lt. Colonel Tollefsen’s arrangements.
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