Tor (Cas) Mendez
October 24, 1931 — August 27, 2014
Colonel Castor (Cas) Mendez-Vigo, Jr., 83, of Columbus, GA died Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at Midtown Medical Center.
Graveside Services will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Ft. Benning Main Post Cemetery according to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.
Colonel Castor (Cas) Mendez-Vigo, Jr. was born in Tampa, Fl (Ybor City) to Castor and Luisa Mendez-Vigo, immigrants from Spain and Cuba October 24, 1931. He was the last surviving child of their 5 children. He attended Ybor Elementary School, Washington Jr. High as well as Jefferson High School, all in Tampa. In his senior year he won the prestigious Florida State Medal for Mathematics. During high school he was a member of the band, playing trumpet and later went on to play French horn with the Tampa Symphony Orchestra. Cas received his Bachelors of Arts in mathematics from The University of Florida in 1952 and a Masters of Meteorology from Florida State University in 1959. He entered the US Air Force in 1952 and rose to the rank of full colonel, retiring after 26 years of service. During his Air Force career he served our country in the Vietnam War and held numerous positions. He was one of the world's early meteorological satellite researchers. His final duty assignment was that of Deputy Chief of Staff for Automation for Military Airlift Command. He was awarded numerous medals and citations for his service including; The Bronze Star and The Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Airmen's Medal, First Class twice (from Spain and South Vietnam ) to name a few. During Cas' military career he was also an adjunct mathematics professor at several US universities.
Following retirement Cas went on to work for Harris Corporation where he led a team of over 280 software engineers developing state of the art software for the defense sector. Cas retired from Harris after 15 years. During his retirement he volunteered for the American Red Cross as well as Project Emeritus at Patrick AFB. He received numerous awards and citations for his volunteer work. In 2004 Cas relocated to Columbus, GA where he resided until his passing. He was actively involved in The First Presbyterian Church of Columbus as well as helping Spring Harbor residents with computer issues and training.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Ida (Gijon), 3 children, sons Dr. Mark (Pam) and Dr. Luke (Tracy), and daughter Ava, as well as 6 grand children and 5 great grand children.
Graveside Services will be held 11:00 AM, Tuesday, September 2, 2014 at Ft. Benning Main Post Cemetery according to McMullen Funeral Home, 3874 Gentian Blvd. Columbus, GA 31907.
Colonel Castor (Cas) Mendez-Vigo, Jr. was born in Tampa, Fl (Ybor City) to Castor and Luisa Mendez-Vigo, immigrants from Spain and Cuba October 24, 1931. He was the last surviving child of their 5 children. He attended Ybor Elementary School, Washington Jr. High as well as Jefferson High School, all in Tampa. In his senior year he won the prestigious Florida State Medal for Mathematics. During high school he was a member of the band, playing trumpet and later went on to play French horn with the Tampa Symphony Orchestra. Cas received his Bachelors of Arts in mathematics from The University of Florida in 1952 and a Masters of Meteorology from Florida State University in 1959. He entered the US Air Force in 1952 and rose to the rank of full colonel, retiring after 26 years of service. During his Air Force career he served our country in the Vietnam War and held numerous positions. He was one of the world's early meteorological satellite researchers. His final duty assignment was that of Deputy Chief of Staff for Automation for Military Airlift Command. He was awarded numerous medals and citations for his service including; The Bronze Star and The Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Airmen's Medal, First Class twice (from Spain and South Vietnam ) to name a few. During Cas' military career he was also an adjunct mathematics professor at several US universities.
Following retirement Cas went on to work for Harris Corporation where he led a team of over 280 software engineers developing state of the art software for the defense sector. Cas retired from Harris after 15 years. During his retirement he volunteered for the American Red Cross as well as Project Emeritus at Patrick AFB. He received numerous awards and citations for his volunteer work. In 2004 Cas relocated to Columbus, GA where he resided until his passing. He was actively involved in The First Presbyterian Church of Columbus as well as helping Spring Harbor residents with computer issues and training.
He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Ida (Gijon), 3 children, sons Dr. Mark (Pam) and Dr. Luke (Tracy), and daughter Ava, as well as 6 grand children and 5 great grand children.
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