Major AeDee Latten II, (USAF retired) (7/16/54 -3/15/25) passed on to our Loving Lord, on Saturday, March 15,2025 due to a serious illness. He passed peacefully at home with his wife (Tina) holding his hand. The family wants to thank the Endever Hospice of Phoenix for making his passing pain free and for the compassion that they showed to his family and friends.
AeDee earned two Masters Degrees and the rank of Major in the US Air Force. He served at the Gulf War, was a Missile Launch Officer, Logistics Officer, regularly briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff in Washington, DC and taught quantum physics to our soldiers during his years serving our country. He was also named Outstanding Young Man of America, two years in a row by Presidents Clinton and Bush.
After retiring from the Air Force, he signed up for the Program, Troops to Teachers and obtained his teaching/educational degree. He worked for the Copper Canyon High School in Phoenix and ran an alternative program for at risk students. While there, he started the “Gentleman’s Club” where he instructed his students how to be gentlemanly and how to properly treat girls and women. Many of his students looked up to him as a father figure.
He regularly donated to Troops to Towers, Love 146 (rescues of trafficked children), and the forgotten elderly Jewish people of Russia. He also had a street ministry with his wife where they cooked hot meals for the homeless and provided help for any of them in need. During this time, they donated blankets during the winter season to many who were suffering from the cold. He always asked each person their name and then prayed for them and their needs. They came to know AeDee and Tina as friends, which brought this couple a lot of joy.
AeDee is predeceased by his father AeDee Latten I and his mother Alma Reid Latten of Charleston, South Carolina. He leaves behind his loving wife Tina Petrulla (Phoenix),a brother Vincent Latten (Columbia, South Carolina) two step sisters and two children, Nicole Latten (Minnesota) and Burke Latten (Minnesota) Also, four grandchildren; all from Minnesota and nieces and nephews.
Major Latten was buried with full honors at the National Memorial Military Cemetery in Phoenix on Monday, March 24. A Celebration of his life will take place on May 3, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. at Sage Mesa, 10529 East Hampton Avenue in Mesa. All are welcome to attend.
Memorial donations can be made in his memory to any of the foundations listed above or to the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements were cared for by Superstition Cremation and Funeral Services.
