John Ulsey Twiss

John Ulsey Twiss, 69, of Warrenton, died Sept. 10, 2012, in Portland.

He was born June 23, 1943, in Sheridan, Wyo., to Clark Twiss and Ellen Stoffers-Twiss.

Raised in Sheridan, he graduated from high school there.

During his 20s, he served in the U.S. Air Force for four years doing reconnaissance missions.

He married Wanda Herzig. She preceded him in death. The couple were married for 25 years.

In 1994, he married Melody Day. She survives, residing in Warrenton.

After graduating from Spartan School of Aircraft Maintenance, Mr. Twiss built his aircraft maintenance hangar at the Astoria Regional Airport in Warrenton. Twiss Air Service was open for business for 33 successful years until his death. He was also a certified flight instructor.

After joining The Gideons International, he was active along with a team of volunteers for 15 years as a frequent lay minister at the Clatsop County Jail. He was a member of Calvary Assembly of God in Warrenton, and was active, along with a team of volunteers, for the Warrenton Food Pantry for one year, and later became manager a year before his death. He was an adult Sunday school teacher and church board member for two years, and volunteered as a member of the Astoria Rescue Mission’s Board of Directors.

In 1996, he and his wife volunteered for a year in Africa, repairing aircraft for the fleet of Mission Aviation Fellowship. He mentored a scouting group, Aviation Explorers, teaching about six high schoolers about aircraft maintenance. Some of those attending now have aviation careers.

Family members said he was known as “the history buff” for the aviation at the Port of Astoria, and he opened Warrenton’s Fourth of July parade several times by flying a biplane over Warrenton’s Main Avenue. His interests also included faceting rocks into gems.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a son, Lynn Twiss of Portland; a daughter, Corinna Wolverton of New Plymouth, Idaho; four sisters, Mary Ellen Nash, Betty Pond, Joanne Cummings and Glenna Conley; and three brothers, Marvin, Gene and David Twiss.

A memorial will be held at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, at Calvary Assembly of God, 1365 S. Main Ave. in Warrenton.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Warrenton Food Pantry, 1365 S. Main Ave., Warrenton, OR 97146.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com