John “Jack” Bilak was born in Johnstown, PA on Jan. 13, 1942 to John Bilak and Clara (Sadowsky) Bilak. Upon graduation from Connemaugh High School he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1959 at age 17.

In 1968 when Jack was stationed at Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson, Arizona he met and married Vicki Eileen Kramer, whom he later divorced. They had two children, Kathleen (Browning) and David.

Jack served in the Vietnam War and had 92 combat missions and over 500 takeoffs and landings with exposure to enemy fire while extracting wounded. He received the Air Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Air Force Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four bronze oak leaf clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf cluster, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars. 

In his retirement, he wrote a book entitled, “Flight Medic,” about his service.  

Upon returning from Vietnam he attended the University of Nebraska and trained to become a Physician’s Assistant, graduating with a B.S. in 1976. He was stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, Texas and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs before retiring from the Air Force after 25 years of continuous active duty with the rank of Captain in 1984.

After his military retirement he acquired his private pilot’s license, first flying a Cessna and later built an RV-7 airplane.

He worked as a civilian as a Physician’s Assistant in Pueblo, CO and then in Del Norte, CO at the Rio Grande Hospital and Clinic before his full retirement in 2007.

Jack was devoted to hunting, fishing, and his “toys” as he enjoyed motorcycles and classic cars. He also enjoyed many years of running and cycling including racing in the Ride the Rockies.

He was preceded in death by his son David, his granddaughter Anneliese, his ex-wife Vicki, and his brother Rick. He is survived by his daughter Kathleen, sister Marcia Bilak, and his grandchildren Laura and Ben.

Dad valiantly fought Parkinson’s Disease for many years. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or the Wounded Warrior Project.

A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Homelake Veterans Center Chapel in Monte Vista. Interment will follow services in the Homelake Veterans Cemetery.

Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes or words of comfort for Jack’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com