Lt Col (Ret) Kevin Andrew Tarrant, 55, of Underhill, VT formally of Newbury, MA passed away suddenly from a heart attack at his home Monday, March 2, 2015. He was born in Newburyport, MA on February 6, 1960 and is the son of Robert Joseph and Jeanne Marie (Charbonneau) Tarrant. Kevin graduated from Triton Regional High School in Byfield, MA in 1978. After attending Bridgeton Academy in Bridgeton, ME he attended UMASS Amherst where he graduated in 1983. In both his personal and professional life Kevin was a born leader. He stressed kindness to all, humbleness, and integrity in his daily life and always led by example. He cherished spending time with his children, whether it was on their farm in Texas or on the ski slopes of Vermont, and never missed an opportunity to give back to his family, his town, or his country. Kevin lived everyday like it was a gift and his enthusiasm was infectious. His fearlessness, sense of humor, and passion for life will never be forgotten by his friends across the country and those lucky enough to call him family. Kevin was a Distinguished Graduate from Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi Class 87-03. His first assignment was in the A-10 Warthog in the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron (TFS) “Fightin’ Falcons” at Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina. He upgraded to Flight Lead and Instructor Pilot (IP) quickly as he served from 1987-1990. In 1989, he was competitively selected to join the 37 TFW at Tonopah Test Range, Nevada flying the F-117 Night Hawk. He served in the 415th “Nightstalkers”, and he again quickly upgraded to Flight Lead, IP and on to Mission Commander. In August, 1990, he was the deployment officer for Desert Shield coordinating the entire squadron of F117 from Tonapah AFB to King Kah .He deployed to Saudi Arabia with the unit, he planned and led multiple missions in Operation Desert Storm, and was over Bagdad the first night. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Air Medals for those missions. Kevin also planned and lead the combined Air Force Aircraft fly-by over Washington DC at the completion of the war to celebrate the coalition victory flying the F-117.In 1992, he successfully moved the 37 TFW to Holloman AFB and served in the 417th Fighter Squadron. In 1994 Kevin was selected to transition to the F-16, with a follow on assignment to Kunsan Air Base Republic of Korea. He again rapidly upgraded to fourship Flight Lead in the 35th FS “Pantons”. After Korea, Kevin was assigned to Luke AFB, AZ as an F-16 IP with the 308th FS “Emerald Knights where he was ultimately an Assistant Director of Operations. Kevin transitioned to the Texas Air National Guard in August of 2000 at Kelly AFB, TX. In the 182nd FS “Gunfighters” where he earned multiple medals to include Commendation, Ariel Achievement, and Meritorious Service Metals. He held positions ranging from Flight Commander to Director of Operations to Operation Support Commander. He was directly responsible for the success of the 182 FS developing training innovations including Operation Coronet Cactus, a training program simulating the planning, deploying, and executing of wartime tasking for new F-16 Fighter Pilots. Kevin won numerous Top Gun awards in all three aircraft, he was The Top Instructor Pilot multiple times, and he had combat experience in Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom, flying combat sorties in both the F-117 and the F-16 Having retired from the Texas ANG as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2011, he relocated to Vermont and served 3 years as Site Manager for the Air National Guard’s Mission Training Center where he worked with F-16 pilots from the VT ANG and other F-16 units nationwide. He returned to United Airlines in 2013 and began flying an international route in January of this year. Kevin is survived by his wife of 25 years, Catherine Speros Tarrant; his parents, Robert Joseph Tarrant and Jeanne Marie Tarrant, a daughter, Shanley Christine Tarrant; three sons, Thomas Kevin Tarrant, Gus Andrew Tarrant, and Tucker James Tarrant; his brother Robert Joseph Tarrant Jr. and wife Kathi Conroy (Kayla and Kyle), two sisters, Kathy Tarrant-Keegan (Haley, Sean and Kendall) (He was predeceased by Kathy’s husband, Kenny Keegan), Christine Tarrant Redd and husband, Matt (Jessica, Curtis and Ainsley); brothers-in-law Tom Speros and wife Leslie (Lindsay and Alexandra), Mike Speros and wife Emily (Carrie and Morgan); and Steve Speros and wife Lisa (Blake, Madison and McKenzie) and several aunts and uncles. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, March 9th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. with the funeral following on Tuesday, March 10th at 11:00. Both will be held at the Catalyst Church, 100 Raceway Road, Jericho, VT. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery in the Spring at the convenience of the family where full military honors will be accorded. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Kevin’s name to the Fisher House Foundation viawww.fisherhouse.org or via 1-888-294-8560, or to the Tarrant Children’s Fund at Merchants Bank, PO Box 369, Jericho, VT 05465. The family invites you to share your memories and condolences by visiting www.awrfh.com