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GEORGE Colonel George (Ret) USAF, born June 18, 1917 and died June 28, 2007. Colonel Kallis passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque following a brief illness. He was born to Pete and Ann Marie Kallis in Pueblo, CO. The oldest of three siblings he grew up in the depression years and went to work at a young age to help support the family. In 1940, George accepted a job with the Consolidated Aircraft Company as an aircraft mechanic. He joined the Army Air Corp in 1941 and became commissioned as a rated pilot and Second Lieutenant. He instructed flying on BT-13's, AT-6's, and B-25's Mitchell (his favorite aircraft). During WWII he served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater where he logged 138 combat hours. His Missions included New Guinea, Philippines and the China Offensives. For his service to his country Colonel Kallis has been decorated many times. His awards include the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Soldiers Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Air Force Longevity Award. He returned to the United States and was discharged on February 6th. George was recalled to service in 1948 during the Berlin Airlift. Colonel Kallis was stationed in Watertown, NY, Clark Airfield Philippines, Middletown, PA, Denver, CO, Altus, OK and Sidi Slimane, Morocco as Commander and Operations Officer. In 1960, he returned from abroad and was assigned to the Pentagon with Joint Task Force Eight, specializing in Nuclear Weapons. He made many trips to Christmas Island and Easter Island for nuclear testing and was an advisor to John F. Kennedy during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. With more than 9000 hours of flying and many different aircraft and 27 years of distinguished and honorable service to his country he retired on June 1, 1966, a full Colonel. He moved his family to Albuquerque in 1966 and worked at Sandia Base as a Physical Scientist with Joint Task Force Eight until 1970. Now in full retirement he was able to start the hobbies he so enjoyed. Hunting in the mountains of New Mexico and fishing in the great state of Alaska. He bought his first classic 1965 Mustang and restored it to the perfect condition it is still in today. George was an honorary member of the Rio Grande Mustang Club and participated in their annual car show until his health started to fail. He accumulated many trophies for his cars and proudly displayed them. His survivors include daughter, Karen Hackett and her husband, Paul of Albuquerque; son, George Kallis and his wife, Lynn of Tucson, AZ; grandchildren, Jason Hackett, Ryan Kallis and Devyn Kallis. He is also survived by his late granddaughter's husband, Adam Arrossa and great-grandchild, Jazmin Arrossa; sisters, Martha Hofferd of Bakersfield, CA and Constance Genova of Pueblo, CO. Colonel Kallis was preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Anna Marie Kallis in 1990 and his beloved granddaughter, Kelli Arrossa in 2006. Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at Risen Savior Catholic Church, 7701 Wyoming Blvd. NE on Monday, July 2, 2007, 9:45 a.m. Interment will immediately follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery with full Military Honors. "Rest in peace dear Father." French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505)823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
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