Vincent E. Arganbright

Vincent Arganbright was born on Aug. 21, 1924 in Guthrie County, Iowa to Michael Frederick Arganbright and Anna Josephine O’Brien Arganbright. He was one of 11 children (Donald, Thomas, Mary Arganbright Moylan, Baby Boy, John, Vincent, Elizabeth, Catherine Arganbright Wilhelm, Richard, James and Michael).

To honor his country, Arganbright enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 during WWII. He was stationed at Thunderbird Airfield, Marana Army Air Base in Arizona and Marfa Army Airfield in Marfa, Texas. He married Viola Lee Bridges on October 15, 1944 in Tempe Arizona. He earned his wings and rank of Second Lt. in Marfa, Texas. His assignment was piloting B-17 Bombers. After the war, he and his wife moved to Iowa, but work was scarce so they moved to Duncan Oklahoma where he was to fly a twin engine Beachcraft for Halliburton. While waiting for the plane to be ready he worked in the oil fields. He couldn’t continue to wait so they moved to Arizona where he worked for Squirt Soda Company before working for Brown Flooring Company. They moved to Tracy, California in 1957 where they made their home.  He was the test pilot, treasurer and one of the builders for Lark Aviation Company.  He worked for Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory from 1957 to 1987 as a meteorologist/blast forecaster. He and his son Ron built many planes over the course of his lifetime including a Baby Ace; Piper L-4; Fokker DVIII, which is now in the Stampe en Vertongen Museum in Antwept, Belgium; a Sopwith 1&1/2 Strutter, which is now in the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia (this plane was flown in the movie Flyboys); and an RV6. He was an active member of the American Legion Post 172, serving as commander from 1998 to 1999 and again from 1999 to 2000. He was a jack of all trades and a master of many. He loved helping his sons with various projects, including building and remodeling their homes.

Arganbright is survived by wife of 72 years Lee Arganbright; children Ronald (Theda), Mark (Lois), Chris (Marguerite), Scott (Lynn) and Alannah; grandchildren Sarah (Gerald), David, Ryan, Stephanie (Shane), Lindsay (Matt), Laura (Mark), Bradley (Carmela), Leandra (Jared), Brandt (Melany), Preston, Jennie, Crissie (Ryan), Lauren, Lexie and great-grandchildren Haley, Ryder, Gianna, Grace, Dane, Matthew, Jude, Annabella, Avery, Vincent, Taysen, Branston, Braylee, Caleb, Logan and Owen. He was preceded in death by son Stephen, great-grandchildren Matthew James and Myla.

Visitation will be held at Fry Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 4-7 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. Funeral mass will be Thursday, Oct. 20, 11 a.m. at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church, 163 West Eaton Avenue, Tracy, with burial following at Tracy Public Cemetery. For condolences to the family, visit the web.