Major Paul Katsuki

Major Paul Katsuki, 83, of Cobbs Creek, Virginia, made his last flight on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. He was born in Media, Pennsylvania, in 1942. Major Katsuki learned better and moved south. He graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1965 and promptly joined the US Air Force. While stationed at Langley AFB in 1968, he met the second love of his life, his wife, Nancy Brooks Katsuki (his first love being flying). Upon retiring, he moved to Mathews County, Virginia, where he resided for 36 years. Paul was the epitome of where hard work, honesty, and high integrity could take you. His love of family, Country, and anything pertaining to flying was the cornerstone of his life.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Mary Outland Katsuki and his father, Takashi Katsuki. He leaves behind his wife of 56 years, Nancy Brooks Katsuki; favorite daughter, Wendy Glasco (Anthony) of Hartfield, Virginia; sons, Genji Katsuki (Shelley) of Hallieford, Virginia, and Glenn Katsuki (Monique) of Shaker Heights, OH; 4 grandsons, Lane and Cole Glasco, Blaise Katsuki, Sammy Katsuki, and one granddaughter, Miriam Katsuki. He also leaves behind his brother, David Katsuki of Helper, UT, and a sister-in-law, Jeanne Brooks Dyche (Jim) of Chesapeake, Virginia; 4 nephews, Matt and Justin Katsuki and Bradley and Tyler Dyche.

Major Katsuki served as an Air Force C-130 transport pilot, flight safety officer, squadron chief pilot, airlift operations officer, and 1st Mobile Aerial Port Squadron commander for 21 years, retiring in 1986. He served in Vietnam and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, five Air Medals and other military decorations, as well as a USAF Well Done Award and PACAF Order of the Able Aeronaut. After retirement, he worked as a pilot for Southern Air Transport, Flight International, SENTEL Corporation, and retired again from the Smithfield Foods flight department after ten years of service. Over the course of his 44 years as a pilot, Major Katsuki logged a total of 14,750 flying hours. He was a member of the Order of Daedalians, the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the Air Force Association, and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

We know how the very bearing of the man speaks of what he was, and in his heart, still is. It is said that even when pilots retire, once the wings go on, they never come off.

The family will receive friends on Monday, July 21, 2025, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Mathews Chapel United Methodist Church, Cobbs Creek, Virginia. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. in the church, followed by burial at Haynes Cemetery. The family requests that donations be made to the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Virginia 23076, or to Mathews Chapel United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 125, Cobbs Creek, Virginia 23035. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel, Mathews, Virginia, is assisting the family.