Tony the Tiger's Memorial Fund

  James R. Spletstoser, AKA Tony the Tiger was a unique individual.  From being a sailor in the US Navy in WWII at the age of 17, to working in Alaska on the microwave communications system that tied the territory together (and being air dropped supplies because there were no airstrips, just snow), to Grand Bahama and listening to astronauts chat, to be buzzed by fighters during the Cuban Missile Crisis when he strayed into "restricted airspace", to working for four years in Vietnam during the war and traveling the orient from Hong Kong to Tokyo to Singapore. My father lived a life few can imagine. He retired at 85 after 43 years of service to the United States Air Force and his country. He loved to go spear fishing (or any fishing really), hunting, an flying anything with wings. He was my hero.



   But he didn't plan on leaving so soon after only 89 years on this Earth. He didn't maintain his government life insurance after he retired.  We need funds to cover his final expenses, to maintain his beloved farm for just a little while, my living expenses as I look for work  or go back to school (as I was his caregiver since he retired) and covering any other costs that may try to surprise us as we say goodbye. I hope this also helps to relieve some of the stress we in th family are all feeling in addition to the loss of our one-of-a-kind father. I will be eternally grateful to any family, old friends, co-workers, former comrades in arms, and especially strangers who can assist us at this time.