The parents of Jeff Kuss, the Blue Angels pilot killed when his F/A-18 Hornet crashed in Tennessee on Thursday, expect the body of their son will come home to Durango at the end of the week at the earliest.
Jeff Kuss will be interred at Greenmount Cemetery, Michael and Janet Kuss said. His body will be returned to Durango aboard the Blue Angel’s C-130, which is used to deliver air show services.
The date and time of the memorial for Jeff Kuss has not been set.
Kuss’ parents flew to Pensacola, Florida, on Sunday. They will remain there with Kuss’ widow, Christina, and their two young grandchildren until forensic tests on Kuss’ body are completed in Delaware.
On Monday, Christina Kuss posted a note to the GoFundMe page created to raise money to help her and her children, Calvin, 4, and Sloane, 1.
“‘I am absolutely beside myself and humbled at the amount of love and support I have received over the last four days,” she said. “This morning I feel a shred of peace and though I know it won’t stay, I attribute it to the amazing things all of you are doing for myself, my children and to honor Jeffery. I feel you all deeply and want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
The Great Tennessee Air Show, where Kuss was scheduled to fly with the Blue Angels over the weekend, was dedicated to him. Organizers said they raised $12,000 from ticket sales and donations during the two-day air show, according to the Daily News Journal.
The Blue Angels are based in Pensacola.
To donate
A GofundMe site has been set up to benefit the family of Marine Capt. Jeff Kuss, a Durango native.
The fundraiser was set up by Kuss’ sister-in-law, Nicole Perino.
“Captain Kuss made the ultimate sacrifice and has left behind his precious wife, Christina, and two small children, Calvin, 4, and Sloane, 1,” the page reads. “This family needs all of our support and Jeff is a true American hero who saved the lives of thousands in this terrible tragedy. Jeff was born and raised in Durango, Colorado, and learned to fly before he could drive.”
By Monday afternoon, donors had contributed more than $242,000, and the original goal of $250,000 was raised to $500,000.
To donate, visit
www.gofundme.com/jeffkuss.
Also, the International Council of Air Shows has established a fund for the family, according to its website. The organization provides financial assistance to members of the air show community after a death or other catastrophe. Donors can contribute money to the Capt. Jeff Kuss Foundation at
www.icasfoundation.org
.
