Col Nima Rogers-Reavis

Nima Diane Rogers-Reavis, a highly decorated retired Air Force Colonel, passed away peacefully with her brothers and sisters and her husband by her side in her log cabin dream home in Avinger, Texas on October 25, 2012. She was born September 1, 1960, at West Point Military Academy, New York. Cookie graduated from Taloga High School in Taloga, Oklahoma in 1978 where she was known as a fun loving and caring student focused on fully living the moment and always helping others. After earning her Associates Degree in Nursing from Amarillo College, Texas in 1982, she pursued with tenacity a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Texas State University, which was awarded in 1985. She later went on to earn her Master of Science in Management from Wilmington College in Delaware. Nima, a military flight nurse who helped pioneer joint service integration of aeromedical evacuation for our armed forces, grew up in a military family of eight, often living on a small farm near their base of assignment. Following the footsteps of her father, Joe Rogers, her mother, Shirley Rogers, and her brother, Scotty Rogers, Nima was commissioned in the Air Force in 1985. She immediately took challenging assignments across the country and the world, rising in the ranks to Colonel as she impressed her superiors with her skills, her tenacious determination, and her ability to get things done. Most importantly, she was known for effectively balancing the mission needs with a deep heartfelt compassion for the well being of others. During her outstanding military career, she received numerous awards and recognitions, including the United States Armed Forces Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, as well as numerous joint service accommodations awarded during her many deployments to hotspots around the world. She received the Dolly Vinsant Flight Nurse of the Year in 1990, the highest award to recognize the achievements and contributions of an Air Force Flight Nurse. On one deployment overseas, she was personally responsible for heroically saving the life of a pilot who was shot down behind enemy lines. On another, she air evacuated several special forces SEALs wounded in an ambush and nursed them back to safety in the United States. If you could ever get her to talk about the flight, she relayed her admiration of their bravery, but her eyes would water when she mentioned that one of the several severely wounded soldiers who only made it to the landing in the United States. Her decisive and heroic actions in the heat of battle were known in Panama, Europe, the Middle East, and other hotspots yet declassified. Once, off duty, when flying on a TWA flight out of St. Louis, a passenger went into life threatening seizures and the Colonel leapt to the task of saving his life by administering first aid and directing the aircraft to divert the victim to the nearest medical facility. Following the heralding incident, and well after the patient was stabilized safely on the ground, Nimas clockwork uncanny sense of humor came out. In her best mocking southern draw, and while twirling her long blond hair back, she exclaimed: I only did it because he was good lookin. We are fortunate to have military flight nurses like Nima who dedicate their lives to helping and protecting us on and off duty. And it is even better when they have a sense of humor. She volunteered (and often within minutes she was whisked away on a plane en route to saving lives), she endured separation from her family, and she made countless sacrifices to give others a better life. Colonel Nima saved lives with intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. She took extraordinary risks so that we could be safe; she got the job done. We dont know all her stories, and we will never know them, because that is the way she preferred it. But because of her life, every day, on the front lines of freedom, we are truly blessed. During her career, Colonel Nima was recognized for her courage and leadership both on and off the battlefield, in the air as an aeromedical evacuation nurse, and on the ground as a full-time Samaritan. Some of her most impactful actions, as a senior staff tactician, included directing and coordinating the evacuation to safety of the thousands of combat casualties and wounded soldiers pulled from conflicts that included the Gulf Wars. As a result, she has an army of survivors grateful to her, matched only by an even greater army of friends she made in the process. She was always interested in you, and she had an extraordinary and sincere ability to make any conversation focus on you and your interests. Through it all, her most coveted achievement was just being called a friend. In Colonel Nimas capstone assignment at retirement she was the Dean of the International Expeditionary Education and Training at the School of Aerospace Medicine in San Antonio, Texas. There she mentored and taught military and civilian medical specialists and leaders around the world. She was respected and driven in her blazing initiatives that helped integrate aeromedical evacuation into the total force. She led the training and education of forces and units from 40 nations around the globe-- Effectively shaping the force of the future organization of medical forces in our armed forces as well as many of our allies. Her lifetime of distinguished service to our country was continued into her retirement. Colonel Reavis accepted a position at Good Sheppard Medical Center in Longview, Texas, and made a difference by sharing her vast experience during her short tenure. In the short months she lived following her Air Force retirement, she left an indelible impression on her adopted community in Avinger, Texas. She eagerly volunteered wherever she could have a positive impact; this was exemplified by her efforts during the 2011 wildfire emergency in East Texas, in which her leadership and organizational skills were instrumental in directing critical firefighting assets. She added a proud chapter to the story of America, not only on the battlefield, but also in her community. While making one of her last trips home, Nima and her brother, Chip, came upon a serious single car accident with a trapped victim. In spite of her frail chemotherapy ridden state, Nima administered first aid and help save the trapped citizen after they tore off the windshield of the overturned truck to get the victim out. Ever the enforcer, and the standardization czar, Nima only winched and commented as the law enforcement and emergency response team arrive that she recognized the Sheriff because she had kicked him out of a public building a few months ago for smoking. She then smiled, as she always did, and shook hands with the Sheriff, commenting that she only did it because he was good lookin. Nima leaves behind her husband of 29 years, Brad Reavis. She also leaves behind her brothers, Scotty Rogers of Shreveport, Louisiana, Chip Rogers of Las Vegas, Nevada; her sisters, Debbie Hagemann of Emporia, Kansas; Donna Broce of Greeley, Kansas; and Tracy Lanners of Las Vegas, Nevada. She was affectionately known as Aunt Nima to her enduring nieces and nephews she left behind: Brandy Alexander of Lees Summit, Missouri; O.J. Broce of Greeley, Kansas; Chris Rogers of New Orleans, Louisiana; Gregory and Joe D. Rogers and Chelsea Arce of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Kimberly and Christian Hagemann of Emporia, Kansas; along with four great nieces and nephews. Aunt Nima would always jokingly tell them that her only job was to look good. In reality, she took her job as Aunt very seriously and was always there for them with sage advice and a sense of humor that unfailingly made them smile. Life was always good around Aunt Nima. She perpetually shared her wisdom, humor, and upbeat outlook on life with her family, friends, and students. She will be missed by all. Her legacy is more than her service. Her legacy will be measured in the service of every woman who follows in the trails she blazed, in the relationships she developed and the women and men she mentoredall benefiting from her example and her incredible sense of humor. The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the incredible staff at M. D. Anderson, in Houston, Texas who specialize in the treatment and research of the rare and aggressive Inflammatory Breast Cancer that took Cookie so quickly from us. A special thanks to the medical staff at Barksdale Air Force Base who were so instrumental in helping her and her family with the care and assistance they needed. The family would also like to recognize the staff, who also became her friends, of the Longview Good Sheppard Medical Center, as they assisted Nima in her courageous battle over the last few months. Nima was a proud, fun loving, and energetic woman admired and loved by all who knew her. Her passions included quilting, antiquing, making friends, and sharing time with her family. Nima was a lifetime member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was a life member of the American Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and the Air Force Association amongst a plethora of other service and civilian philanthropic organizations including the Texas Nurses Association and the Society of Air Force Nurses. A memorial service celebrating Colonel Rogers-Reavis life was held with full military honors at the Hickory Hill Baptist Church in Avinger, Texas on October 26, 2012. To read more about this incredible lady, and to extend condolences, please visit: www.reeder-davis.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made payable to: Colonel Nima Rogers-Reavis Memorial Account, First Option Bank of Osawatomie, 601 Main St. Osawatomie, KS.66064 to support a nursing scholarship as a memorial celebrating Nimas life.