Captain Kenneth R. Wallace (USN, Ret), 87, died at home in Pensacola, Fla., February 28. He was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., December 15, 1928.Princeton. In June 1953 he became a member of the Blue Angels, flying the slot position. In April 1956 he reported as naval aviator and operations officer with Fighter Squadron 22, and in June 1958 transferred to Attack Squadron 44 to serve as naval aviator and A4 RAG instructor. He then earned his bachelor of arts degree in political science at the University of Mississippi, and returned to duty with the Blue Angels, again flying the slot position. In January 1962 he became officer in charge of that team.Midway, serving as naval aviator and assistant air operations officer. After a tour of duty as naval aviator and F4 RAG student with Fighter Squadron 121, he reported in March 1966 as executive officer of Fighter Squadron 154, on board the USS Coral Sea. In October of that year he assumed command of that squadron. From May 1967 until May 1968 he served as commander of Carrier Air Wing 15 aboard USS Coral Sea. As an O-6, he later completed a third tour with the Blue Angels, as the program manager. In that newly created position, he selected and modified the A-4 aircraft and selected and trained new pilots for the 1973-74 season. He retired in 1976 and became chief pilot for the American Express Company, flying Gulfstream II, II, IV and Falcon 50. During his career he accumulated more than 13,000 flight hours and 700-plus carrier landings.

Beloved by many, his wife of 65 years, the former Harriet C. Jenkins of Elizabethton, and their four daughters and spouses, Lisa Wallace and Scott Davidow of Newtown, Vickie and Bill Plasker of Salem, Ore., Pamela Wallace of Sacramento, Calif., and Kendra and Hui Pak of San Diego, Calif., survive Mr Wallace. His seven grandchildren, including Savannah and Annaleigh Davidow of Newtown, and three great-grandchildren will miss his quick wit and great dance moves dearly.

Capt Wallace received his wings in 1950 and joined Fighter Squadron 191. In that assignment he participated in two Korean cruises on board the USS

In May 1964 he joined the USS

Capt Wallace was awarded a number of distinguished medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, with two Gold Stars, the Bronze Star with combat "V," the Navy Commendation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the Air Medal with eight Gold Stars.

Funeral services will take place at Perdido Bay Methodist Church, 13660 Innerarity Point Road, Pensacola, Fla., Wednesday, March 9.

In lieu of flowers, the family is grateful for memorial donations to St Jude's Children's Hospital at www.stjude.org, the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org, or Perdido Bay United Methodist Church at perdidobayumc.net.