joe sOFET

Lion Joe was a member of the Annandale Lions Club for many years, and served as the Club's President (King Lion) in 1975-76.

Joe's commitment to service to others exemplified the Lions motto ("We Serve"), and his stories of his service to country and flying Air Force One were entertaining and inspirational.  He participated in the history of our great nation, and we will miss him.

Pilot of Presidents, Joseph J. Sofet, Dies

Atlanta, GA - Joseph J. Sofet, retired u.s. Air Force Colonel, who was the only remaining Air Force One pilot for President John F. Kennedy, has died at the age of 90. Sofet died peacefully, surrounded by family at Joseph's hospital Saturday night in Sandy Springs, GA.

Col. Sofet served as Presidential Pilot for both the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations and had the distinction of flying five U.S. Presidents at least once. But Kennedy was Sofet's favorite and he often swapped cigars with the president during flights. No flight was sadder for him than the one from Dallas to Washington as he piloted the number two aircraft and followed Air Force One as it carried Kennedy's body. On November 22, 1963, he had watched Kennedy step from the plane at Love Field, and then went to lunch with the crews. Upon learning of the assassination, the crews immediately returned to Air Force One, where Sofet helped remove part of a bulkhead to make room for the President's casket. Later that day, he stood aboard Air Force One, right beside the photographer who snapped the photo of Johnson, with Jackie Kennedy by his side, taking the oath of office.

After retiring from the Air Force in 1966 with over 14,000 flight hours, Col. Sofet enjoyed a successful second career as a stock broker and financial consultant. Sofet is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Lillian Sofet of Atlanta, his six children, Anne Sofet of Herndon, Virginia, Joseph Sofet of Atlanta, Georgia, Susan Sofet-Watts of Manteo, North Carolina, Joan Sofet of Melboume, Florida, David Sofet of Kennesaw, Georgia, and Merrie Sofet of Indialantic, Florida, seven grand children and great-grand children.

Memorial Services were held in Atlanta, and Col. Sofet will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the American Heart Association and Lions Club International.

Colonel Joe Sofet, Air Force One Pilot for President John F. Kenned "began his aviation career at the age of 17 flying a Piper Cub from a grass field in Easton, Pennsylvania.  He enlisted in the Army Air Corps after Pearl Harbor and spent the next 24 years as a pilot in the U. S. Air Force. Col. Sofet held many leadership positions in the Military Airlift Command including flight examiner, chief pilot and operations officer for various units, and then served as Chief Pilot of the Jet Squadron of Special Air Missions in Washington, D.C. flying Heads of State, Military Brass, Foreign leaders and other dignitaries.  At the age of 42, he became one of the three pilots chosen to fly Air Force One for President Kennedy and served as a Presidential Pilot for both the Kennedy and Johnson Administrations. During his career, Col. Sofet had the distinction of flying five U.S. Presidents at least once.  He retired from the Air Force in 1966 with over 14,000 flight hours, and his awards included the Air Medal, the Presidential Service Badge, numerous individual honors from from foreign governments including Peru and Morocco, the Military Air Transport System Diamond Pin for over 10,000 accident free flying hours, and many more flying safety awards and honors.  After retiring from the Air Force, Col. Sofet enjoyed a successful second career as a stock broker and financial consultant.