Rias Majors

Rias Hilton Majors, 89, passed away Monday, August 26, 2013 in Abilene. Visitation will be Friday, August 30, 2013 from 4:00 PM till 6:00 PM at Elmwood Funeral Home, 5750 Hwy 277 South. Funeral service will be 2:00 PM, Saturday, August 31, 2013 in the Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow the service at Elmwood Memorial Park.

He was born March 8, 1924 to Roby Parker Majors and Rias Benjamin Majors in Montgomery, Alabama. When he was ten years old, the family moved to a farm in Butler County, Alabama. He graduated from Georgiana High School in May 1942 and was awarded an academic scholarship to Alabama Polytechnic Institute now Auburn University. Rias enlisted in the Army Air Corps for pilot training December 4, 1942 and was called to active duty February 18, 1943. He attended preflight school in San Antonio, Texas primary flight training in Pine Bluff, Arkansas was married to Hazel Lois Mims on December 1, 1943 at the First Methodist Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas completed basic flight training in Independence, Kansas and graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant Pilot from Pampa Army Air Force Base in Pampa, Texas on May 23, 1944. Rias was assigned to C47 transition training in Alliance, Nebraska and completed this training in December 1944 at George Field, in Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was then transferred to the European Theater of Operations to the 301st Troop Carrier Squadron, 440th Troop Carrier Group. He was awarded the Air Medal and two Battle Stars to the European, Mediterranean, and the North African Campaign Ribbon. When the war in Europe ended, the 301st squadron was assigned to the Army of Occupation in Berlin, Germany and became part of the European Air Transport Service, where he was assigned to fly to Paris, France, via Frankfurt, Germany twice per week, and once per week to London, England via Bremen, Germany. Rias was separated from the US Army Air Force in August 1946 and enrolled at Auburn in September. He graduated with a masters degree in animal husbandry in April 1950 and was employed by the virus and rickettsia section, laboratory branch of the communicable disease center, now known as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He resigned his role in the reserves to join the commissioned corps of the United States Public Health Service as at LT. J.G. The USPHS Officers wear US Navy uniforms with Navy ranks. Rias enrolled at the University of Georgia in September of 1963 as a Doctoral Candidate in Animal Science. He was then awarded a Ph.D. in Animal Science in August of 1965. He retired as a Captain on February 1, 1982. He and Hazel moved to North Little Rock, Arkansas in 1988 in order to be near their son and his family. They relocated to Abilene, Texas in 2001 and joined St. Paul United Methodist Church in January 2002.

He was preceded in death by his mother father brothers, Bobby and Jack Majors, a sister, Imogene, and a son, Ronald Parker Majors.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel a son, Gary and three granddaughters, Lindsey Majors, Avery Majors Bechtel, and Ashley Luther.

Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family through the obituary link at www.elmwoodfuneral.com

Visitation

Elmwood Funeral Home
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Friday, August 30, 2013
4 6 PM

Service

Chapel Service

Elmwood Funeral Home Chapel
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606
Saturday, August 31, 2013
2 PM

Cemetery

Elmwood Memorial Park
5750 HWY 277 South
Abilene, TX  79606