Executive who helped develop Norton Air Force base dies

John Magness, an executive with the company that transformed Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino into the Southern California Logistics Airport, has died.

The Desert Storm veteran perished Feb. 4 after climbing Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, one of the tallest mountains in the world, according to multiple reports.

He was 58 years old.

Magness was part a team of mountaineers raising money for the Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund, which provides scholarships to veterans and military family members who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

While descending, the team got caught in a storm, causing  Magness to develop respiratory problems. He died before he could be moved off the mountain, according to reports.

Magness’ remains were being shipped home Tuesday, according to a post on the charity’s LinkedIn page.

A West Point graduate, Magness was a top executive with Dallas-based Hillwood Development Co., which turned Norton Air Force Base into the Southern California Logistics Airport.  He went to work for Hillwood in 1997, after spending nine years in the army and some time as a consultant to the government of the United Arab Emirates, according to reports.