In Memoriam

May 1, 1952 - December 2, 2025

Captain Richard L. "Rick" Kingston, 73, was hired as a pilot for Tigers on 2/13/1978 and retired as a B777 Capt at FDX.

The following obituary was sent to us by the Kingston family following news of his passing.

Richard Louis Kingston was born in San Gabriel, California on May 1, 1952 to Richard Samuel and Mary Ann Kingston (nee Petro).  He was the oldest of eight children and had fond memories of playing in haystacks and taking family vacations to Lake Shasta in the station wagon.
In high school, he began taking flying lessons which would launch a 50+ year career that he adored – he could fly before he could drive a car!  After flying for regional airlines, he was hired by Flying Tigers and would regale his children with his many travel adventures - stories of whales in cargo and planes full of flowers from Hawaii.
In addition to the aviation industry, Rick loved film trivia, becoming a regular at a neighborhood restaurant, doing impressions, caring for his grandpup Ronin, and Hallmark movies – he could take down your Netflix algorithm in no time.
Rick was preceded in death by his parents, whom he held in the highest regard.  He is survived by his siblings and their spouses, his four children; Kaylie (Kekoa), Kyle (Emilee), Kelsie (Cody) and Kory (Harmony), his stepsons Anthony and Nick, many nieces, nephews and cousins and his ten grandchildren, who were his favorite people.
We love you, Dad.  We will watch all the Hallmark movies and think of you.

His good friend and fellow Tiger pilot, John Dill, sent us the following:

Flying Tigers pilots and FedEx pilots, and also relatives and friends, we lost a great one over the weekend. I am very sorry to report that Captain Rick Kingston has flown west. It was unexpected. I was floored when I got the news. Rick was a really good pilot, and a super good friend to me over the past few years. I am going to try to put together a more detailed post in honor of this fine man soon. Rick Kingston, gone at 73, but never forgotten.

Anyone else wishing to contribute to this page with archived pictures or testimonials is encouraged to contact us at email@flyingtigerline.org