Ned Dee Colburn

Ned Dee Colburn of Plainville, KS, passed away on April 27, 2024, at the Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, KS at the age of 92. He was born on September 17, 1931, to Gerald Stanford Joseph Colburn and Marguerite (Hilgers) Colburn in Plainville, KS. He married Michelle Antoine on November 28, 1976.

Ned grew up in Stockton and Plainville and graduated from Stockton High School in 1946. After a couple years of college, he joined the U.S. Air Force. During the spring of 1964 he was transferred to Toul-Rosieres Air Base, Eastern France where he flew the RB 66. In 1968 during the Vietnam war, he was transferred to Tahkli Air Base in Thailand from where he flew 101 missions over Vietnam. He returned to the United States, was stationed in Denver where he trained young airmen. During his military service Ned was deployed to 60 countries, he retired in 1975 as a Lt Colonel. He then started his own construction business and built a 60-apartment complex in Denver. He could build anything, and he loved to fly and write. Ned was a very brilliant man and spoke some Japanese, Arabic, and French. He was a member of the Air Force Association.

Ned is survived by his wife, Michelle of Plainville, a son Michael (Lisa) Colburn of Oregon, Teresa (Arthur) McFarlane of Hawaii, a stepson Pascal Antoine, two sisters Twila McCauley of Buena Vista Park, CA and Margie Beth Schoen of Downs, KS, 7 grand-children and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sons Steven and Christian Colburn, sister, Faythe Dick and brothers-in-law, Doyle McCauley and Robert Schoen.

Ned was a very kind, generous, and loving man who lived to serve his family, friends, and country. For all of us who have the privilege of knowing him, he will always stand as a true hero in our hearts and our lives. He will be remembered in love.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 3, 202, at 2 PM at the funeral home of Plainville. There will be no public visitation.

Memorials are suggested to donor’s choice and may be sent to Plumer Overlease Funeral Home, 320 SW 2nd, Plainville, KS 67663.