Joe,

Condolences to you and your family at this sad time. Your friends at the STRAZ.

Thinking of you all during this difficult time. We love you.

Mike, Brian, Ted the bear, and neighbor dave, and Maurice

I met Maurice & and his Family when I PCSed to Moody AFB Georgia. We both stayed on Hampton Drive across the street from each other! We had children around the same ages Florence  & Jenny were best buddies. Alexander & Jacob. Maurice would always be showing my son Richard Jr.   something because Maurice was skilled at almost everything. He was a painter of Beautiful pictures and a college educated Sculpture. Maurice was very talented. He was my  brother in Arms! I will truly miss him.

Maurice and I first truly met and connected on a cross country flight to Pope AFB, NC for our Operational Readiness Inspection. We bonded over our shared love of all things Asian, beginning a lifelong bond that transcended friendship and became brotherhood. We each had a hand in the introduction of the other to the ladies who became our wives and lifelong companions. Maurice was the best man at my wedding. We chased each other across the world from base to base and ended up retiring less than a mile from each other. He will be missed!

I remember being a young Staff Sergeant, helping MSgt Mullinax prepare a brisket for a squadron event. He showed me how to incorporate a beer into the marinade and forever changed the way I make barbecue. I also remember sharing with him that I had served with his oldest son at Nellis before coming to Korea, and he lit up with a smile. My heart goes out to his family, and my Defender family. May his memory be a blessing to us all. 

My condolences. I remember Maurice being a free spirited man with lots of love for his family. He did and say whatever was on his mind.  RIP my fellow Airman.