Bryan A. Cuddeback passed away on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at home in League City, Texas at the age of 77.

On July 28^th, 1942, Bryan was born in North Adams, Massachusetts.  He spent his days dreaming of the world outside of his small hometown.  He worked hard at a local grocery store, where he first caught the eye of his future bride; however, that would have to wait for a few years.  Ultimately, earning a private pilot license, attending a two year college before being accepted into the Naval Officer Candidate School and earning an opportunity to attend flight school – he was off to make his mark in the world.

After making his way through training and jets, he chose helicopters- a career path he would follow even after his military service.  His military career took him all over the world to some of the most remote locations one can imagine and a few the government won’t admit.

In Vietnam, he flew flights and extractions no one would and was able to save many a life.   He carried the memory of the war, and those he lost, throughout his life.  He flew with courage and honor on every mission…and every day in life.  When other branches of the military said it could not be done or it was too dangerous- The Navy Seawolves and Seawolf 21(Bryan) would go in.  They were the most decorated unit and the Navy’s only attack helicopter squadron.

While visiting his friends and family one summer, he reconnected with Hope Lee and they began dating. He proposed before returning to Italy where he was stationed at the time.  She said it was too soon to which he replied by getting a calendar and saying, “What about six months from now- December 20?”  The whole town knew about it before she had time to get home and to even tell her mother.  December 20, 2019 would have been their 50^th Year Anniversary.  And while they had two children- Christine and Kelly, the light of his life was his granddaughter Madison.

Even in his career after the military, Bryan continued to fly.  He flew so much, Hope Lee said he even flew in his sleep.  He fought forest fires on the West coast, flew the pipeline in Alaska, and oil rigs in the Gulf.    The last 10 years of his career he flew in Saudi Arabia for an oil company.  He always made sure his family was in a safe neighborhood with good schools- regardless of where he had to work including several months in India.  In retirement he played some golf, spent time at the gun range and took over childcare for his granddaughter- she never had a babysitter- he was always there for her.  She was his heart and soul.

Bryan is survived by his wife of almost 50 years, Hope Lee Cuddeback, daughters Christine Cuddeback and Kelly Cuddeback along with her family- husband Philip Holm and granddaughter Madison Holm.

Bryan will be laid to rest at a later date at the Houston National Cemetery.