Cyril Duncan Maynard

Cyril Duncan Maynard, 95, passed away Monday, April 13, 2020 in Pensacola FL. Cyril was born on December 22, 1924, to Jodie Luther and Tinnie Josephine Cope Maynard in Antioch AL. He was married to Alma Olivia Powell, of Troy, AL, for 73 years. They are the parents of two children; Shaun Maynard of Pensacola FL; Romelle Peterson of Roaring River, NC. They have four grandchildren: Scott Maynard (Esther), Stephen Nicholson, Savannah Maiorana (Mathew) and Mitchell Nicholson and three great grandchildren: Kennedy Miaorana, Mila Maiorana and Adia Barber. Cyril is preceded in death by his parents and brother Elmo Hunly Maynard. Cyril grew up on the family farm during the Great Depression. He had countless friends and family members in his farming community and stayed in touch with many throughout his life. He graduated from Antioch’s Straughn High School in the 11th grade in 1942. As a 17 year old, he joined the war effort working as a U.S. Civil Service aircraft engine run mechanic at Brookley Army Air Field, in Mobile, AL. Cyril enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces in June 1943. Without basic training, Private Maynard was assigned back to Brookley Field in his same job. Within a few months after joining the Army, the entire Brookley operation deployed overseas, relocating to Warton Field near Blackpool, England where he and 10,000 other U.S. Army Air Forces soldiers became part of the “World’s Greatest Air Depot”. Once the war in Europe was over, Sergeant Maynard deployed to Frankfurt, Germany as a part of the American occupation and reconstruction effort. Upon his return to the United States, Cyril and Olivia dated for a short period and married at Craig Air Force Base on 15 February 1947. The Maynard’s spent the next 16 years as a United States Air Force (USAF) family. Their assignments brought them to Albany, Georgia; Tampa, FL; Fort Worth, TX; Caribou, ME; Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico; Sacramento, CA; and Orlando FL. Over a period of seven years, Cyril flew 2,346 hours as a Flight Engineer and Flight Performance Officer supporting the Cold War as a crew member and initial cadre on the Strategic Air Command’s news bomber, the B-36 (Peacemaker). In 1953 Cyril received a direct commission from Master Sergeant to Second Lieutenant and ten years later, he retired as a Captain in the USAF with the rating of Senior Navigator. Cyril graduated from Rollins College following retirement from the USAF and within the next year he graduated from Florida State University with his Master’s Degree. Over the next 22 years he worked as a college administrator for North Florida Junior College, The University of West Florida and Tallahassee Community College. He was awarded his Doctorate of Education from The University of Mississippi in 1975. After his second retirement, Cyril, and Olivia spent 3 tours between 1994 and 1997 in Bangladesh as a volunteer executive for the International Executive Service Corps helping to establish the Independent University Bangladesh. An active member of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS), Cyril served the church in numerous capacities within his church and the Florida-Georgia and Southern Districts. The Maynard’s were members of: Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Orlando, FL; Messiah Lutheran Church, Valdosta, GA; Grace Lutheran Church, Pensacola, FL; Epiphany Lutheran Church, Tallahassee, FL; and Resurrection Lutheran Church, Pensacola, FL. Cyril loved fishing in Florida’s lakes and waterways; he was a Boy Scout Troop Committeeman in Pensacola, a President of the Tallahassee Lion’s Club and a Life Master Bridge player in the American Contract Bridge League. Cyril was a Life-time Member of both the Air Force Association and the Retired Military Officers Association. He was active in politics and supported his local government as a voting poll worker and Census taker. Cyril was a constantly smiling, sociable, thoughtful and generous gentleman who loved helping people and sharing life experiences with his family and friends. Visitation with family and friends will be on Wednesday, August 5 from 9:00-9:30 a.m. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 6305 N. Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32526. Memorial Service will begin at 9:30 a.m. Interment with full military honors will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, Naval Air Station Pensacola at 11:00 a.m. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32505 is in charge of arrangements. You may express condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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Cyril Duncan Maynard

December 22, 1924 - April 13, 2020