In a unanimous decision, the city council of Galesburg, Illinois voted this week to approve a resolution renaming its local airport in honor of long-time FBO owner and aviator Harrel Timmons. At a ceremony in early 2025, Galesburg Regional Airport (KGBG)—which was recently upgraded from a municipal airport by the FAA—will be officially renamed Harrel W. Timmons Galesburg Regional Airport.

In 1969 Timmons founded Jet Air, the lone service provider on the field, and served as its president until his retirement in 2023. He holds commercial, flight and ground instructor, and airline transport certificates and has 20,000 flight hours.

Enshrined in the Illinois Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011, Timmons is also an FAA-designated pilot examiner and certified aircraft mechanic with inspection authorization. As a mentor, he has helped many aviation professionals advance their careers in the industry.

KGBG is home to the annual Stearman Fly-In and Timmons, who has been on the event's board of directors since its inception in 1971, also serves as a member of the National Stearman Foundation’s board of directors.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to honor and thank Harrel for his noteworthy contributions to Galesburg airport,” said city manager Eric Hanson. “The city is grateful for the leadership Harrel has provided at the airport and pleased to have this opportunity to thank him for his outstanding service to our community.”