Brave RAF Northumberland sergeant, 43, honored with flypast on final voyage UK News

An inspiring RAF sergeant who died of brain cancer was honored with a flypast and a military honor guard as he made his final trip.

Sgt Steven Vout left his wife Rita Gal Vout with a touching gift when he took his last breath at 3:33 p.m. on May 16 – the same time she was walking down the aisle to marry him six years ago .

The RAF flight operations manager from Newbiggin-by-the-Sea had bravely battled with terminal cancer after being diagnosed with stage four glioblastoma in October 2019.

Dozens of people paid tribute to Sergeant Steven Vout as his funeral procession made its way to Saint-Barthélemy Church on Friday.

RAF officials said the 43-year-old “brave” was honored for his service, having joined in 2001 as an air operations assistant.

Outside the church there was an honor guard made up of RAF personnel on duty with a military plane hovering overhead before the service.

Steven’s coffin was covered in a Union Jack flag with his RAF hat placed on top in a poignant moment.

Devastated family and friends have bid farewell to the Iraqi veteran, renowned for his infectious personality and sense of humor.

Rita, 43, says she was comforted by the fact that the moment of her husband’s death at St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth was his last romantic gift to her.

She said, “He brightened up the room with his welcoming smile, bright voice, infectious personality and sense of humor. You would instantly be warm to him and he would quickly accept you as part of his extended family.

“A very caring, strong and loyal family man, he loved t-shirts and had a fabulous range.

“Steven was going out of his way to try and help anyone, even during his cancer-fighting days. He would always say, ‘Behind every dark cloud the sun always shines.’

“His extreme positivity was contagious, even on the darkest days. “

She added: “His love shines in my everyday life, before and after his death.”

Steven was training for the Great North Run in August 2019 when he collapsed to the ground and started having a seizure on the street.

A few months later, his family were shocked when they were told he had stage four glioblastoma and had only a few months left to live.

But despite his struggles, Steven was incredibly courageous and maintained a positive outlook during the most difficult time of his life.

During his stay in the RAF, he made a number of tours, notably in Iraq.

After various postings across the country, he returned to his home in Northumberland and RAF Boulmer in 2020, following his diagnosis.

Surviving far longer than doctors predicted with her “strength, spirituality, love of life and love of her family,” Rita said her husband was “like a beam of light”.

Steven’s parents Alison and Ken Vout recalled crying with pride during the fainting ceremony at RAF Halton as he joined the Air Force and how much of his career has left him. had made people happy.

They said that in Rita he had found “the love of his life” and that they had never had to worry about his loneliness since the couple had met.

They said, “Steven was a number one son and we love him forever and [his loss] left a huge hole in our hearts. “

Sharing a tribute on behalf of her, her husband Kevin and Steven’s nieces and nephews, sister Melissa Barnard recalled how “thoughtful” and “creative” her brother had been since he was young, and remembered of the “adventures” they were going to experience. like children.

She added: “Steven had a caring, gentle heart that always thinks of others, mixed with a wicked sense of humor that made his ‘daddy jokes’ legendary, even during times when he was most challenged. by his illness.

“He never let anything stop him from getting what he wanted in life, he was focused and constantly determined – no more than holding onto life on his wedding anniversary.

“Steven wanted people to realize that we live everyday despite all challenges and that every day is beautiful. He loved having a drink or two with friends or family and we have a lot of fun memories of dancing, singing and playing pool, which he was great at.

“Overall, my family and I will never stop missing him and he will be in our hearts forever.”

Steven’s death was a blow to his RAF colleagues, who said Steven and Rita had always been “valued members of the Royal Air Force family”.

Group Captain David Keighley, commanding officer of RAF Boulmer, said: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of Sergeant Vout after several months of illness.