IOWA FALLS, Iowa — Joe Scallon was a pillar to the Iowa Falls community. He was not only a local philanthropist and community leader, but a pilot as well.
Someone who flew people where they needed to go in small single-engine planes. So when the news of a plane crash in Indiana, that killed four Iowans including Scallon, swept through the Iowa Falls community, many were left devastated, including one of Scallon's closest friends: Zee Niazy.
"I couldn't control myself," Niazy told Local 5 News on Tuesday. "I pulled over and I got really teary and said: 'How did this happen? Joe was really experienced pilot and was always flying. How did this happen? It was just heartbreaking."
Niazy said he had known Scallon for years, like many, and considered him a role model who would look out for others whether he knew them or not.
"He was just Joe. He would do anything it takes to help out anybody," Niazy said adding, "He was a kind man. He was one of a kind, and he will be greatly missed."
Niazy and Scallon's relationship really grew years ago when Niazy sought asylum in the U.S. from the Taliban, specifically Iowa Falls, after serving in the U.S. military as an interpreter.
However, the U.S. denied Niazy's request, he said. That's when Scallon stepped in to help his friend.
"'It's not happening,'" Niazy recalled Scallon telling him years ago. "'Let me make some phone calls.'"
Later on, Niazy got the news he wouldn't be deported, thanks to Scallon's help.
Over the past year, Niazy said he would he Scallon and his wife Linda drive by his shop in Iowa Falls often and would stop to chat and catch up. That's why when Niazy heard of the plane crash, he went over to check on Linda Scallon and her family, because he cared about the Scallon family the same way Scallon cared about Niazy and his.
Scallon's funeral service will be Sunday at 1:30 p.m. inside the Iowa Falls-Alden High School gymnasium.