Nelson "Ed" E. Tatlock (retired U.S. Army CW5), 76, of Hinsdale, died Dec. 10, 2023, surrounded by his family.
Ed was born to Nelson and Helen, nee Flake, Tatlock in 1947, in Seymour, Ind., but spent most of his years in Jeffersonville, Ind., and Frankfort, Ky. He was one of four children, the only son. Ed grew up in southern Indiana. He went to high school in Jeffersonville where he met the love of his life, Anna Belle Cox. Ed was very active in athletics. He was a left-handed pitcher for his high school as well as the American Legion team. To this day, he still holds the record for the most strikeouts in a single game (21). After graduation, Ed went to Indiana State University. After a period of time at school he decided he wanted to be a pilot and serve our country. He turned down spring training for the Chicago Cubs and an offer to play with the Washington Senators (Minnesota Twins). He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1967. Ed served a year in Vietnam as a Cobra helicopter pilot from Dec. 8, 1969, through Dec. 8, 1970. Ten days after returning home from Vietnam he married his sweetheart, Anna Belle. He and Anna Belle had two children, Amy and Andy.
In 1981, Ed joined the Kentucky Army National Guard and was also a pilot for the Commonwealth. During his career in the Kentucky Army National Guard he was commander of the Detachment 11 Operational Support Airlift Command. He was a standardization instructor and instrument pilot on seven fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. He has amassed more than 15,000 flight hours during his career. He remained in the national guard until he retired in 2002 with the rank of chief warrant officer 5. He received his bachelor's in professional aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has received numerous awards and medals - most notably the Bronze Star, Kentucky Colonel and Legion of Merit. After hanging up his military boots, he flew a private jet for 12 years and flew as a Medevac helicopter pilot. Not ready to fully retire, he also flew the helicopter for the Clark County Sheriff's department.
Aside from being a technical expert in aviation, he was a special man to all who knew him. He never met anyone he didn't like. One of his friends recently said, "Ed would give you the shirt off his back and then go buy another and give that to you, also." He was a mentor, a soldier, patriot, friend, brother, loving husband and the best Papa in the world. He loved his dog, Bo. He lived his life helping others and wanting nothing in return. There will only ever be one Ed. They broke the mold when they made him.
Ed is survived by his wife of 53, years Anna Belle; his daughter, Amy (Scott) Madden; his son, Andy (Catherine) Tatlock; his sisters, Joy (Johnnie) Sims and Betty (Leroy) Hughes; and his grandsons, Keegan, Brady, Beckham, Tristan and Chase.
A funeral service was held Dec. 20 at Adolf & Powell Funeral Home in Willowbrook.
Interment was at Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
