Mr. Maurice John William Lehmann

Maurice John William Lehmann, known to most as MJ, was born April 1st, 1936, in Boerne, Texas. He graduated from Boerne High School in 1954, and the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering. He later went on to get his Masters in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). This prepared the way for an assignment to Edwards Air Force Base where he was selected to support a number of military aircraft test programs as a flight test engineer. MJ was one of the early members of the Society of Flight Test Engineers. His love for flying began early in life and he soon learned how to pilot small planes. While at UT, he asked Dee Lancaster out on a date by flying over her house in Boerne and dropping an invitation by parachute in her backyard. They soon married and remained so for 55 years.

MJ served in the United States Air Force for 20 years as a pilot flying many missions throughout the world. His last assignment was with the 4950th Test Wing at Wright Patterson AFB. While there, MJ was a command pilot on the EC-135E Advanced Range Instrumentation Aircraft (ARIA). These aircraft were specially modified with a large radome in the nose and were used to track Apollo spacecraft missions and as a military command post during the Cold War. He was awarded many medals during his Air Force career.

MJ also enjoyed sharing the rich family history of his grandfather and great Uncle's abduction and subsequent captivity by the Comanche and Apache Indians. He continued publishing A New Look at Nine Years with the Indians, a book written by his great-uncle recording his life as an Indian captive.

MJ had a great love for the Texas Hill Country, especially the Mason County area, where he spent many hours at the family ranch with friends. Opening weekend for hunting was always a time for friends and family to "head up to the ranch for the big hunt," but in reality much of the time was spent playing poker, telling stories around the wood stove, and solving the world's problems. Many great adventures and memories were made there over the years.

MJ was a friend to all, with an attitude of "the more the merrier." He was an unselfish, giving man that loved and served God, family, and his country. He will be greatly missed by his family and the community.

MJ is survived by his wife, Dee; son Maury and wife Conni and their son Ryan all of Friendswood, Texas; daughter Patti Mainz and husband, Brett, and their children: Tyler, Becky and Mason; and great-grandson, Maddax.