Michael J. Natt, Sr.

September 18, 1920 – January 6, 2014

Michael John "Pops" Natt, Sr., 93 years young, joined his wife Mary in their eternal life with the Lord on January 6, 2014. Michael was born in Wyoming, Pennsylvania, the middle child of Joseph and Mary (Krachnsky) Natt, and grew up in the farming community of Wyoming where he enjoyed tinkering with machinery and all the tasks associated with farm living. At the age of 10, his mother died of burns she received in a fire on the homestead, and his older sister, Frances, took over the task of raising Michael and his 3 brothers.

Michael joined the Army Air Corps prior to WWII and during the War was an engineer gunner on a B-17 with the 95th Bomb Group. He was on a bombing mission over Romania when his plane was shot down and he was wounded. He was taken prisoner by German soldiers and survived an 8-month imprisonment in Stalag Luft III in Germany and a 90-day forced road march during the bitter cold winter. After being liberated, he was honorably discharged from the military and met and married his true love, Mary Schumacher Natt. They settled in Pennsylvania for a short period of time where two of their six children were born.

Michael re-enlisted in the military in August, 1948 and was stationed at Turner AFB, Albany, Georgia. Thus began a 30-year career with the United States Air Force. Michael's military career would take him and his family to five different states across the country. In addition, he served 18 tours of duty in various countries throughout the world including two tours in Thailand during the Vietnam War. He was awarded the Purple Heart for an injury he sustained during WWII and received numerous other awards for his meritorious service.

Michael retired from the military on February 28, 1974 at Williams Air Force Base, Chandler, Arizona. Michael and Mary lived in Chandler for 34 years before moving to South Carolina in 1998 to live with their daughter Sharon, and her husband, Curt Watts. Mary Natt went to her heavenly reward on January 23, 1999, in Camden, South Carolina. From South Carolina, Michael moved to Guthrie, Oklahoma, with Sharon and Curt, where he resided for the past 10 years.

Michael was known to his family and friends as Pops. He was a loving, caring, sharp-witted and humorous man, who was loved and respected by all. Pops could fix anything, sewed up a storm and always had an idea for making things better. Through his and Mary's love and nurturing, they raised five children to adulthood. A baby girl, Delores, died shortly after birth and is buried at Ft. Benning, Georgia.

Michael is preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Mary Schumacher Natt, his sister Frances Taylor, brothers Andrew, Edward and Victor Natt; half-brothers, Joseph and John Natt; half-sisters Mary Lambert and Anna Gostinski. He is survived by his loving family, Diane and MSGT (Ret.) Donald Pash of Murrieta, California; Michael John Natt, Jr., and Carey Blackburn of San Antonio, Texas; Sharon and 1SG (Ret.) Curtis Watts of Guthrie, Oklahoma; Rita and CMSGT (Ret.) Timothy Brown of Mesa, Arizona; and Patricia Natt and Brandy Keans-Natt of Mesa, Arizona. Six grandchildren, Kimberly (Pash) and David Long of San Diego, California; Kristen (Brown) and Tawne Bacchus of Mesa, Arizona; TJ and Peg Brown of Mesa, Arizona; Kelsey Brown of Mesa, Arizona; Tracey Natt of Mesa, Arizona; and Chancey and Lori Watts of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Five Great- Grandchildren, Raiden and Cole Michael Brown of Mesa, Arizona; and Madison, Cooper and Maizee Watts of Guthrie, Oklahoma; in addition to several nieces and nephews.

No services will be held, but memorial donations can be made to the Veterans Administration in the city and state of your choice. Arrangements were under the direction of Smith-Gallo Funeral Home, Guthrie.

Friends may sign the online guestbook at www.smithgallo.com
Guthrie News Leader (OK) - Friday, January 10, 2014