May 4, 1963 – November 13, 2021
USN,CDR (RET) David R. Jazdyk passed away on November 13, 2021 after a 3 year battle with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Dave was born in Chicago, IL on May 4, 1963. Commander David “Jaz” Jazdyk attended the University of Houston graduating with a BS in Electrical Engineering in 1987. Jaz was commissioned as a Navy officer and after flight training with the VT-10 “Cosmic Cats” at Naval Air Station Pensacola, FL and VAW-110 “Firebirds” at Naval Air Station Miramar, CA was designated an E-2 Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer (NFO) and assigned to VAW-115 “Liberty Bells” stationed at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, JAPAN flying off CV-41 USS Midway. While attached to VAW-115, Jaz participated in multiple deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean in support of national security objectives, achieving qualification as a Combat Information Center Officer and Mission Commander. In October 1990, Jaz deployed with VAW-115 to participate in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, flying multiple combat missions as part of the air campaign to liberate Kuwait from Iraqi armed forces.
Following his tour with VAW-115, Jaz returned to Naval Air Station Miramar, CA for shore duty as an E-2 Hawkeye NFO instructor with VAW-110. Jaz did an abbreviated tour at VAW-110 and returned to the University of Houston for graduate school, completing his MS in Electrical Engineering before returning to sea duty in 1995.
For his second sea duty, Jaz returned to VAW-115 as a senior lieutenant, flying off CV-62 USS Independence and providing valuable insight into operation employment of the E-2 Hawkeye to train and mentor junior aircrew during multiple deployments.
After his second tour with VAW-115, Jaz reported to the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey, CA for Japanese language training. This experience was followed by assignment to the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Command and Staff College in Tokyo, JAPAN. After completing JMSDF Command and Staff College and NFO refresher training with the VAW-120 “Grey Hawks” at Naval Air Station Norfolk, VA, Jaz again reported to VAW-115 now flying off CV-63 USS Kitty Hawk and served as a squadron department head through numerous deployments.
Following his department head tour, CDR Jazdyk’s final assignment on active duty was as Regional Director and Officer-in-Charge for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Tokyo, JAPAN, coordinating advanced technical research project funding throughout Asia.
After retirement Dave landed his dream job at NASA as the Chief, Information Assurance DOD Space Test Program Human Spaceflight Payloads.
During his career he loved being in Japan which is where he met his wife Michiyo and their daughters were born. He also loved to travel and was able to take the family to many places including Guam, Singapore, Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, London and Hong Kong as well as Hawaii.
He was preceded in death by his brother Peter Jazdyk and father-in-law Fumio Ichiyoshi. He is survived by his wife of 25 years Michiyo (Ichiyoshi) Jazdyk, his daughters, Keana and Teana Jazdyk; parents, Ray and Arlene (Glapa) Jazdyk; sister Susan McKay and brother LTC Michael Jazdyk Retired US Army; his mother-in-law Kazuko Ichiyoshi and his sisters-in-law Miho Inui and Mayumi Aoki.
Friends are cordially invited to the visitation with the family on Monday, November 22, 2021 from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546 (281) 992-7200.
He will be cremated with interment at the Houston National Cemetery, Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers and condolences please consider donating to the ALS Association of Texas.
Condolences may be sent to the Jazdyk family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
11 thoughts on “David Raymond Jazdyk”
To the Jazdyk family,
I only briefly worked with Dave here at the Space Test Program, but bonded with Dave during a quick work trip to Kirtland where Dave made a lasting impression with his wit and humor. Dave did not let on to the extent of his ongoing battle at the time, he maintained a positive attitude and made my first work trip with STP memorable and enjoyable. Dave had an amazing life and will remain in our thoughts. Our prayers are with his family.
I had the pleasure of working with David or Jaz as he liked to be called for the duration of his time supporting the Space Test Programs mission at Johnson Space Center Houston. Jaz was a very knowledgeable and joyful person. Although he will be missed there is no doubt in my mind that he will always be remembered. May God Bless!
I am so sorry for your loss. Jaz was a fantastic squadron mate, and I respected his qualities as a Naval Flight Officer and was honored to be a friend. The most vivid memory I have of Jaz is one day in Mombasa, Kenya. The squadron rented a couple of rooms in a beach resort hotel north of the city. For some reason he and I decided to walk from the hotel to the fleet landing where we would catch the liberty boat back to the USS Midway. It turned out to be a long, tiring trek of many miles in the hot midday African sun, much of it through some sketchy parts of town. But never grumbling or complaining, his optimism and humor turned our somewhat ill-advised decision to walk into a great afternoon and a memory I’ll never forget. That was Dave. Fair winds and following seas, Shipmate.
My most sincere condolences to the Jazdyk Family. I was one of Jaz’s students at VAW-110 in 1992-93 and I remember him well. He made a lasting impact on all of us students with his wit and ability to teach the intricacies of the E-2C Hawkeye. His confidence in the aircraft and classroom gave us burgeoning NFO’s faith that we’d not only make it through the training, but excel in the Fleet. I remember the cool “Samurai CICO” patch on his flight jacket, how he got a few of us through our first Battle Problems toward the end of our training and I am most grateful. Thank you for setting such a fine example, Jaz! God bless and keep this fine man and bring peace to his family. ~CAPT Miguel ‘Boo’ Peko, USN (Retired)
Jaz was a brilliant and kind person. We studied hard, we’re in the same RAG class, earned our wings in 1989, and even went to SERE school together. He always showed his subtle sense of humor, and higher level perspective on things. We last spoke in 2009, which I now regret, as it’s too long, but he was the same dude he was 20 years prior. I am humbled by his passing, and wish only the best to Dave’s family in this time of grief. He was a gentle soul. God bless. Channel-Z
I was truly shocked and saddened to hear this news. I first met Jaz when I came to Japan, and got to know him when he was at 115 and subsequently when he was at Naval Research in Tokyo. He was a brilliant person and I appreciated his zest for life and passion for being both in Japan and in the Navy. He and I were on a trip to Singapore together when he was at Naval Research. Last time I saw him was in Tokyo in 2010 after he had transitioned to civilian life. God grant him rest and peace and his memory will be a blessing.
RIP Shipmate. Had the pleasure serving and working with him in VAW-115 in Atsugi Japan. Prayers and condolences to your family.
Jazz, it was an honor serving with you. You made heavy times lighter for the rest of us. You made hard work look easy. We knew you were smart, but you were literally rocket scientist smart, and you still put up with us. I am thankful to have been on a great team with you.
To the Jazdyk family: Very sorry to hear about David. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and with David.
So sorry to hear of your loss. I knew Jazz from his student and instructor days. May God's healing Grace be with you and your entire family.
Really, really sorry for your loss Michiyo and family. He is often thought of and talked about. It was an honor and privilege to work with him. Will always remember our travels together while working at ONR. We had tons of fun and will also always remember Singapore zoo and his cameras. Both Mona and I received a post card from Michiyo a few months ago and the only address provided is at Michiyos parents address in Tokyo. Is she back is Japan or still in Texas if anyone knows could you let us know where she is so we can respond to her. Again sorry for the loss of s true friend, husband and father. Dan and Mona Tom