Everett M. Renfroe, Jr.

Everett M. Renfroe, Jr., passed away peacefully at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, Illinois on December 15, 2018, having reached the age of ninety-three years, one month and twelve days.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 2, 1925, he was the son of Everett M. Renfroe, Sr. and Ethel M. Renfroe, nee Ferguson.

Everett was a veteran of the United States Army and was on active reserve for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers William Renfroe and Luther Renfroe and a daughter, Michelle Renfroe-Fortier.

Everett is survived by his wife, Blanche (Beaudreau) Renfroe of Belleville, Illinois whom he was married to for 62 years. Daughters, Joyce Renfroe-Davis of Marana, Arizona, Denise Renfroe of Washington, D.C. and Carla (Renfroe) Cruise (Gary) of Belleville, Illinois; a brother, Eugene Renfroe of Las Vegas, Nevada, sisters Barbara Davis of Chicago and Suzanne Renfroe of Bloomington, Minnesota; his grandchildren, Lisa Moore (Stanley) of Chicago, Illinois, Theodore Williams, IV of Los Angeles, California, Jordan Cruise, Arianna Blakemore and Alexandria Blakemore, all of Belleville, Illinois.

Everett grew up on the south-south-side of Chicago in the Englewood area and was the eldest of four siblings. He joined the army at age 18 and served his country from 1943-1947, fighting in World War II. He enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1949 with the 178th Infantry in Chicago. He took his oath of office as a 2nd Lieutenant in October of 1949 and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1951. He joined the Chicago Police Department in April, 1953 and resigned 35 years later in 1988. His law enforcement career began as a traffic patrol man and culminated as a homicide detective.

Everett collected guns as a hobby and was given the name "Pistol Pete" by his family and friends

He was a member of the Park Forest South Aviation group and was a member of The Civil Air Patrol for over twenty years. He was a member of The Chicago Area Pilots Association, The Aircraft Owner-Pilots Association and the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.-Chicago "DoDo" Chapter. Flying was a lifelong passion of his and he took to the skies at every opportunity. In the evenings, Everett taught aviation classes at the Chicago Vocational School and built his own aircraft, nicknamed "Tweety" in the hangar at CVS.

Everett will be remembered as a very kind, generous person who was very friendly and outgoing. He loved people and loved helping a neighbor in need. He looked forward to summer camps at Eastern Illinois University where he worked with the Young Eagles, providing training and tow for cadets to have their first gliding experience.

He spent his working life protecting others and in his retirement worked for the Chicago Public School System as a public safety officer. He will be dearly missed by his family and countless friends.

A Service of Creason Funeral Home, Millstadt, Illinois