Who Was Joe Cabuk Jr. And What Was His Military Background?

A real-life story of Joe Cabuk explained in the Amazon Prime movie ‘On a Wing and a Prayer,’ directed by Sean McNamara, recounts an incredible true story of resilience and faith. 

The film’s narrative revolves around the White family, consisting of Doug White, played by Dennis Quaid, his wife Terri, played by Heather Graham, and their daughters Maggie, played by Jessi Case and Bailey, performed by Abigail Rhyne.

They were traveling to Marco Island, Florida, to attend the burial of Doug’s brother Jeff. 

On their return trip to Archibald, Louisiana on Easter Sunday 2009, they flew aboard Doug’s private plane, a King Air 200 N559DW, which was leased through his company, White Equipment Leasing LLC, and piloted by Joe Cabuk Jr.

Approximately 10 minutes after takeoff, Cabuk suffered a loss of consciousness, leading Doug White to take over as the pilot. The White family later discovered that Cabuk had passed away during the flight.

The Life and military career of Joe Cabuk: From Louisiana to Vietnam

Joe Cabuk Jr. was born in Louisiana on June 14, 1941. He attended Oak Ridge High School before enrolment at Northeast Louisiana University. He was appointed to the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he graduated in 1963. 

He received his flight training at Craig Air Force Base in Alabama, accompanied by gunnery school at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. He operated in the Vietnam War in 1969 and was posted at Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam.

After returning to the United States, Cabuk served at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he received training with the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark. 

Cabuk was then transferred to Idaho and promoted to the rank of Commander of the 390th Tactical Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base.

In 1976, Cabuk graduated from the Naval Command and Staff College in Newport, Rhode Island, and was promoted to the rank of colonel in 1981. 

He served on the Tactical Air Command staff at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia before being recognized as a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. 

In 1984, Cabuk was designated Vice Wing Commander of the 20th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Upper Heyford Air Base in England, and then in 1985, he was promoted as the Wing Commander of the 513th Tactical Airlift Wing at RAF Mildenhall Air Base, a position he held until 1987. 

In 1989 Cabuk took retirement from the military, where he operated as the Assistant Director of Operations for NATO in Naples, Italy.

Cabuk transitioned to the public sector after retiring from military service, holding various positions, including a pilot at Fleeman Aviation in Monroe from 1989 to 1995, President and General Manager of Legacy Aviation from 1995 to 2000, and Chief Pilot and FAA Company Check Airman at Monroe Air Center from 2000 until his passing.

He was a devoted Christian and a member of the Oak Ridge Baptist Church, actively participating in community activities as a Deacon, Sunday School superintendent, and teacher.

Cabuk was also active in the Masonic community. He was a member and Past Master of Brookville Masonic Lodge #161 in Oak Ridge, Louisiana, and a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. 

He grasped roles as the past Venerable Master of Monroe Lodge of Perfection, a part of the Red Cross of Constantine, and a York Rite Mason. 

In 2003, he served as the Grand Master of the Louisiana Grand Lodge of Masons.

Cabuk was also an active member of the Rose upon the Altar cast in Louisiana, as well as a Treasurer of the Barak Shrine Temple in Monroe.

Additionally, he served as the Past President of Ouachita Chapter 528 of National Sojourners.

What was Joe Cabuk cause of death?

As previously stated, it had not been 10 minutes since the plane took off, and Cabuk was reviewing the climb checklist with the aircraft on autopilot when he suddenly lost consciousness. 

Doug mentioned in an interview with the AOPA Foundation. “I looked over, and his chin was on his chest. He made a loud, guttural sound, kind of a groan, and his eyes rolled back, and his hands never left his lap. It was quick, it was sudden, and it was final.”

After Doug landed at Port Meyer, the EMTs attempted to revive the pilot for more than 30 minutes but were unsuccessful. Joe Cabuk passed away in Florida, at the age of 67, on April 12, 2009.

Some news sources speculated that Cabuk had a heart attack. However, according to an interview, Doug believed that the pilot’s cause of death was sudden cardiac death.

Doug spoke to several cardiologists, who all agreed that the cause of Cabuk’s death was sudden cardiac death. Cabuk passed away on April 12, 2009, in Florida at the age of 67.

Although some news outlets assumed that he had a heart attack, however, Doug also believed that it was sudden cardiac death.

The late Wing Commander, Joe Cabuk obituary details

A funeral service was held for Mr. Joe Grice Cabuk Jr., aged 67, at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 17, 2009, at Oak Ridge Baptist Church. 

The service was conducted by Bro Claud Hughes, and interment followed at Oak Ridge Baptist Cemetery, under the direction of Mulhearn Funeral Home Rayville, LA. 

Visitation was held at the funeral home from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Thursday, April 16, 2009.

Joe Grice Cabuk, Jr. was preceded in death by his son Joseph Wilson Cabuk, and his father-in-law Harvey Elvin Wilson, Jr., his parents, Joe Grice Cabuk, Sr. and Jane Williams Cabuk.

He is survived by his wife, Marsha Wilson Cabuk of Oak Ridge, LA, and his sons, Joe Grice Cabuk III and his wife, Samuel Jerome Cabuk and Michelle Wirth Cabuk.

He is also survived by his sister, Camilla Grant and her husband, Herman Grant Jr. His granddaughters Marissa and Allison Cabuk, mother-in-law Isabelle L. Wilson, Alabama, his niece, Amy Green, Illinois, and great-nephew Austin Schillage.

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