Paul Katsuki, Major, USAF-ret., age 83, made his last flight on July 16, 2025.
Born in Media, Pennsylvania, in 1942, Maj. Katsuki learned better and moved south. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965 and promptly joined the U.S. Air Force. While stationed at Langley AFB in 1968, he met the second love of his life, his wife, Nancy Brooks Katsuki (his first love being flying). Upon retiring, he moved to Mathews County, Va., where he resided for 36 years.
Paul was the epitome of where hard work, honesty, and high integrity could take you. His love of family, Country, and anything pertaining to flying was the cornerstone of his life.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Outland Katsuki, and his father, Takashi Katsuki. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Nancy Brooks Katsuki; favorite daughter, Wendy Glasco (Anthony) of Hartfield, Va.; sons, Genji Katsuki (Shelley) of Hallieford, Va., and Glenn Katsuki (Monique) of Shaker Heights, Ohio; four grandsons, Lane and Cole Glasco, Blaise Katsuki, Sammy Katsuki, and one granddaughter, Miriam Katsuki. He also leaves behind his brother, David Katsuki (Nancy) of Helper, Utah, and sister-in-law, Jeanne Brooks Dyche (Jim) of Chesapeake, Va. Also survived by him are four nephews, Matt and Justin Katsuki and Bradley and Tyler Dyche.
Maj. Katsuki served as an Air Force C-130 transport pilot, flight safety officer, squadron chief pilot, airlift operations officer and 1st Mobile Aerial Port Squadron commander for 21 years, retiring in 1986. He served in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals and other military decorations, and a USAF Well Done Award and PACAF Order of the Able Aeronaut. After retirement, he worked as a pilot for Southern Air Transport, Flight International, SENTEL Corporation, and retired again from the Smithfield Foods flight department after 10 years of service.
Over the course of his 44 years as a pilot, Maj. Katsuki logged a total of 14,750 flying hours. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians, the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Air Force Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
We know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was, and in his heart, still is. It is said that even when pilots retire, once the wings go on, they never come off.
Services were held July 21, 2025 at Mathews Chapel UMC. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, assisted the family.
