Frederick Paul

Horky

LTC (Ret.) Frederick Paul Horky, USAF (1933–2026) was a devoted family man, decorated United States Air Force veteran, aviator, storyteller, and cherished grandfather and great-grandfather whose life was defined by an abiding passion for flight, Corvettes, and military history.

Born in 1933 in the coal-mining community of Staunton, Illinois, Fred was the son of Florian and Ann Horky and the grandson of Czech immigrants. His fascination with aviation began in early childhood, when the pilot of a DC-3 waved at him.

At age 14, Fred took his first job as the sole "line boy" at WLS Airport, servicing aircraft and mowing grass runways in exchange for flying lessons. He achieved his milestone first solo flight on Aug 26, 1950, at the age of 17.

Fred joined the United States Air Force in 1955. Over a distinguished military career spanning several decades, he logged flight hours across a wide variety of aircraft, but his great love was the C-130 Hercules.

His duty assignments took him around the globe. He liked to say he went from Berlin to Bangkok to Bukavu. He did three tours in Vietnam flying C-123 cargo missions and operational transport missions out of Thailand, including a memorable trip flying bootleg beer into Vietnam.

His long affection for Georgia Tech began while he was earning a graduate degree under USAF sponsorship. He went directly from Vietnam to downtown Atlanta in 1968, which he described as quite a culture shock.

While stationed at Sembach Air Base (Germany), Fred met the love of his life, Linda Paul. The couple was married (twice) in Jan 1962 in Germany, beginning a loving partnership of more than sixty years. Together, they raised two daughters, Marilyn and Elizabeth, sharing adventures across numerous military postings from California to Venezuela.

Fred was renowned among family and friends for his sharp wit, fondness for Corvettes, and his rich chronicle of family histories and aviation vignettes.

Fred is preceded in death by his wife Linda and survived by his daughters, Marilyn Doyon (Craig) and Liz Hill (Ron); his grandchildren, Elizabeth Belardo, Hannah Hill, Ben Doyon, and Leanna Doyon; great grandchildren Reign and Brixton Belardo; and an extended family of relatives and lifelong friends. His legacy endures in the stories he recorded and the lives he touched with his warmth, humor, and integrity.

A celebration of life will be held in 2027.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a charity of one's choice in Fred's honor.