Obituaries:  Bob Henley, Sabine Parish       H-540
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Aug 24, 1978
Submitted by: Tammy D. Larche
              tammy@cp-tel.net


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24 Aug 1978 - Two men from the Peason community and another for
Sparta, Missouri were killed in a helicopter crash at 5:40 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 18 six miles west of Branson, Missouri.
  Dead after a fiery crash in a densely wooded area were
helicopter pilot, Bob Henley, 30; Wayne McComic, 43, and his son,
Aubrey McComic, 20. All were apparently killed instantly as the
helicopter plummeted into the wooded area and burst into flames.
The exact cause of the fatal accident is uncertain, according to
Taney County Sheriff's deputies, who were assisted by the
Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Branson Fire Department.
  Speculation suggest that the landing gear of the helicopter
scraped some tree tops during a scenic tour of the lake area,
then nose-dived into the woods where it crashed.
  The passengers' wives were waiting for the copter to
return when they were notified of the crash.
  According to a family spokesman, both McComics and their
wives, and another couple went on vacation last Wednesday, Aug.
16. On Thursday, McComic and his son took the scenic tour offered
by the Table Rock Helicopters, Inc. of Branson. They were
enchanted with the lovely view and decided to take the ten-minute
ride once again before leaving the area on Friday.
  Family members notified another helicopter at the
take-off point, when the first helicopter was long overdue. The
second helicopter went up and found the wreckage.
  Joint funeral services were held for the father and son on
Sunday, Aug. 20 at 2 p.m. at the Peason United Pentecostal
Church. Officiating were the Rev. Lowell Guidroz, Rev. Bill
White, Rev. M. C. Green and the Rev. E. L. Thornton.
  Burial was in the Mt. Carmel Cemetery under the direction
of the Warren Meadows Funeral Home.
  Survivors of Clifton Wayne McComic include his widow, Mrs.
Dorothy McComic; one daughter Sheilda Joyce Wilson of Florien;
one brother, M. A. McComic of Florien, one sister, Mrs. Nella Mae
Holt of Lamarque, Texas; his mother, Mrs. Lillie Mae McComic of
Florien and two grandchildren.
  Aubrey Wayne McComic is survived by his widow, Mrs.
Debbie McComic; his mother, Mrs. Dorothy McComic of Florien; one
sister, Sheilda Joyce Wilson of Florien; his paternal
grandmother, Mrs. Lillie Mae McComic; and is maternal
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Matthews of Florien.
  Both were active members of the Peason Pentecostal Church,
where they regularly sang specials. The elder McComic was Sunday
School Superintendent, Choir Director, and a member of the church
quartet.