STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. — Franklin Kirby Wells, a former U.S. Navy fighter pilot and retired Delta Airlines captain, died of a heart attack on Feb. 26.

A memorial service was held on March 12 in Stone Mountain, Ga. He was born Aug. 3, 1936, to Lee Roy Wells Sr. and Varie LaHatte Wells. Kirby grew up in Vicksburg and graduated from Carr Central High School. After his mother’s early death, he was raised by his stepmother, Sadie Hovious Wells.

He became an elite Navy pilot, attending the noted “Top Flight Academy” in Miramar, Calif., later made famous by the movie, “Top Gun.” He made many reconnaissance flights over Hanoi during the Vietnam war.

In 1966, he joined Delta Air Lines, where he flew for 38 years. In 1969, he “celebrated” his fourth wedding anniversary in Havana, Cuba, when his Delta flight was hijacked. He will be remembered as a kind, loving and gentle man.

Survivors include his wife, Rosemarie Eich Wells; two daughters, Tina Marie Wells Ondejko of Leamington, Ontario, and Cynthia Ann Wells Holdrich of Atlanta; a brother, Lee Roy Wells Jr. of Tupelo; a sister, Roblyn Wells Ring (Pat) of Vicksburg; three grandchildren, Zachery Holdrich, Alexis and Austin Ondejko; an uncle, William Franklin LaHatte (LaVonne) of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; an aunt, Ruth LaHatte McConville (Ted) of Newport Beach, Calif.; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his father, mother, stepmother and three uncles: Oswald Kirby Wells of Savannah, Ga., Wilbur “Willie” Wells and Cicero LaHatte Jr., both of Vicksburg.

Contact Lee R. Wells Jr. at wellslroy@msn.com or 662-844-3217.