Businessman The husband first of actress Ethel Merman and then of Audrey Meadows, he was born in California. An oilman and pilot, he obtained 40% of the shares of Varney Speed Lines in 1936 from Louis Mueller. He changed the name to Continental Airlines and would lead the company for over forty years. In 1953 Continental Airlines singed a merger agreement with Pioneer Airlines the same year that he became the third husband of Ethel Merman. After seven years of marriage with no children between them they were divorced in Mexico. On August 24, 1961 he married Audrey Meadows in Honolulu to whom he would be married until his death. Continental's experience in the Pacific during the war led to the formation in 1968 of Air Micronesia and in 1982 a merger with Texas International offering service to four continents. At the time of his death plans were already under way to consolidate Frontier, People Express and New York Air. This led shortly after his death to Continental becoming the third largest airline. While under his control it was said that Continental was preferred by "anyone flying west of Chicago." "The Proud Bird with the Golden Tail," was the yardstick by which the other carriers measured their service. At the time of his death he was a member of President Reagan's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
Businessman The husband first of actress Ethel Merman and then of Audrey Meadows, he was born in California. An oilman and pilot, he obtained 40% of the shares of Varney Speed Lines in 1936 from Louis Mueller. He changed the name to Continental Airlines and would lead the company for over forty years. In 1953 Continental Airlines singed a merger agreement with Pioneer Airlines the same year that he became the third husband of Ethel Merman. After seven years of marriage with no children between them they were divorced in Mexico. On August 24, 1961 he married Audrey Meadows in Honolulu to whom he would be married until his death. Continental's experience in the Pacific during the war led to the formation in 1968 of Air Micronesia and in 1982 a merger with Texas International offering service to four continents. At the time of his death plans were already under way to consolidate Frontier, People Express and New York Air. This led shortly after his death to Continental becoming the third largest airline. While under his control it was said that Continental was preferred by "anyone flying west of Chicago." "The Proud Bird with the Golden Tail," was the yardstick by which the other carriers measured their service. At the time of his death he was a member of President Reagan's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
Bio by: D C McJonathan-Swarm
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