Robert Soule,

EULESS -- An eagle has fallen: Robert Marion Soule Sr., 91, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Funeral: 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 7, at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road in Hurst. Interment: 1:30 p.m. in Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas. Visitation: The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Robert Marion "Bob" Soule Sr. was born in 1921 in Phoenix, Ariz. An aviator from the age of 16, he joined the United States Navy three months prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. As a fighter pilot during World War II, he flew in 51 South Pacific battles, including Tarawa, Palau, Wake Island, Leyte Gulf and the second Battle of the Philippine Sea, earning three Air Medals and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He fought in the Korean War, graduated from Test Pilot School, attended the Senior Naval War College, commanded three fighter squadrons and served on the Admiralty Staff aboard the carriers Saratoga and Independence during the Cuban missile crisis. Bob completed 713 carrier landings and flew over 160 different types of aircraft. Following 22 years of distinguished military service, he retired at the rank of commander. During the 15 years that followed, Bob worked as head of international sales for LTV Aerospace, selling fighter planes to friendly foreign governments. A member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and an accomplished acrobatic pilot, he was once asked to join the famed Blue Angels precision flying team. An extraordinary man, he was a close friend of the early astronauts, knew presidents and conferred with kings. Bob was predeceased by two grandsons, Brian Yeager and Aaron Soule, and his beloved wife and companion of 64 years, Dortha Soule. Survivors: Children, Gayle Eriksson, Lynne Walker, Vicki Soule, Gary Peterson, Robert Soule Jr., Dee Yeager, Ronald Soule, Dorris James, Kent Soule, Debbie Soule, Denise Soule and Donald Rohasek; 34 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind his younger brother, Donald Soule, and cousin, Ernest Stone.