CRUIKSHANK THOMAS C

WO1 Thomas "Popcorn" C. Cruikshank was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 11/07/2025 at the age of 81.7
Ariton, AL
Flight Class 66-13
Date of Birth 02/14/1944
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with 174 AHC in 66-67
This information was provided by Wife/obit

More detail on this person: Mr. Thomas Chandler Cruikshank, Sr. a resident of Ariton, died Friday, November 7, 2025, in Dale Medical Center. He was 81 years old. Funeral service for Mr. Cruikshank will be 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 13, 2025, from Ariton Baptist Church with Reverend Dave Walsh officiating. Interment will follow in Ariton Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. The family will receive friends in the church Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until service time. Mr. Cruikshank was born February 14, 1944 in Chestertown, Maryland to the late Thomas Chandler Cruikshank and Anne Neal Cruikshank. He served in the United States Army for twelve years which included two tours in Vietnam, where he flew helicopter gunships and fixed-wing aircraft. Captain Cruikshank received several awards including the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam. Following his military service, he owned and operated a trucking company until his retirement. He enjoyed NASCAR and Alabama football. Survivors include his wife Sandra Batchelor Cruikshank; one son, Chuck Cruikshank both of Ariton; and one brother, Neal Cruikshank (Betty Lou) of Millington, Maryland. Several nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Vivian B. Adams School, 2047 Stuart Tarter Road, Ozark, Alabama 36360; or to Ariton Baptist Youth Group, 157 Atlantic Road, Ariton, Alabama 36311.

This information was last updated 12/30/2025

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 02/07/2026