Malcolm "Mick" Ray Robillard

Malcolm Ray Robillard, 80 (lovingly known as Mick Robillard) was called home on April 9, 2012. He was born in Ponchatoula, La., in 1931. Mick was salutatorian of his graduating Metairie High School Class of 1948 which prepared him for his studies at LSU and Tulane Universities. At the age of 19, Mick joined the Navy and went to flight training in Pensacola, Fla., and received his Naval Aviator Wings in 1952. He went on to proudly serve his country as a Navy Pilot in the Korean conflict under Squadron VF-62 Gladiators on the Carrier Lake Champlain. As fate would have it, Mick met Francis Jean Fox on a double date in 1950. Upon returning home from his duties in Korea, Mick and Jean were married on Dec. 26, 1953 at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Metairie, La. The newlyweds moved to Jacksonville, Fla., where Mick could finish his naval active duty commitment as a Navy Instructor Pilot. In October 1955, Mick joined Trans World Airlines and moved to Kansas City, Mo. In November 1960, Mick returned to the Navy with VR-21 at Barbers Point in Oahu, Hawaii. He finished his active naval career at NAS Point Mugu stateside to raise a family of four children in Camarillo, Ca. He completed a distinguished 22 year naval career as a Commander at NAS Los Alamitos in the reserves. Military aircraft flown includes SNJ, F6F, T33, F2H Banshee, F9F-6 Cougar and C54, C118 (DC-6) and C121 (Constellation). Mick enjoyed a 35 year career as a TWA captain flying all over the world and held Air Transport Ratings in the DC4, DC6, DC7, Lockheed Constellation and L1011Tristar. He also flew Boeing 707, 727 and 747. Mick was an active member of the Lions Club for over 45 years, belonging to the Pleasant Valley Lions Club in Camarillo, Ca., Lakeside Lions Club in Metairie, La., and Hot Springs Village Lions Club, Ark. He was named "Lion of the Year" three times in 1990-91, 1995-96 and 2000-2001. Throughout the years, he served as president, secretary-treasurer and national newsletter publisher for various Lions Clubs. After retirement, Mick and Jean settled down in Hot Springs Village, Ark., where they enjoyed an active lifestyle including exercise, golf, bridge and camping throughout the U.S. with the Roadrunners Club in their RV. Survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean Robillard; brother, Douglas Robillard; four children: Michael, Mark, Steven, and Sharon; eight grandchildren: Mark, Duncan, Rachel, Jackie, Ryan, Bobby, James and Amanda and one great-grandson, Jaxon. A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, April 21 at 2 p.m. at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church located at 295 Balearic Road, Hot Springs, Village, Ark. 71909. Reception immediately following at the Church in the lower hall. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to The Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.