Capt. Dee "Piston" Imlay

Capt. Dee "Piston" Imlay, 31, of Mountain Home, Idaho, died March 28, 2012, while serving his country in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dee was born on Sept. 17, 1980, at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, to Francis and Kum Sun Imlay. He graduated from Lakenheath England High School in 1998.

He then joined Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, in which he was named the Distinguished Graduate while attending Auburn University. This began an eight-year military career filled with numerous achievements.

Dee served his country faithfully in roles such as a T-6 and T-37 instructor pilot at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, and as the 391st Fighter Squadron executive officer and chief of scheduling at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. During his career, he flew the T-37, T-38, T-6, and the F-15E and attained more than 2,500 flight hours.

He was named Group Company Grade Officer of the Quarter and Volunteer of the Quarter on numerous occasions, showcasing his dedication to duty and his care for others. In 2008, Dee was named the 80th Operational Support Squadron Instructor of the Year.

His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon, and the Air Force Training Ribbon.

Dee was an amazing husband, father and Airman with a passion for defending his country. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Dee is survived by his beloved wife, Tami; his children, Isaac and Lyndis; his parents, Francis and Kum Sun; his sister and brother-in-law, Anna and Mike Whitmore; and his nieces, Hannah and Alyssa.

A visitation will be Thursday, April 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. at McCune Garden Chapel, 212 Main St., Vacaville. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 13, 2012, at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, 5810 Midway Rd., Dixon.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation. Go to www.airwarriorcourage.org and designate in the comments block that the donation is for the Imlay family fund.