Hilltop Lakes, in Leon County, is a resort-style community perfect for those with a passion for flying. Friends said that's what attracted pilot Paul Valois to retire there.

John Neukom, a Hilltop Lakes resident and friend of Valois, said the Vermont native had two daughters, one of whom was in high school.

"He came down here a month ago, because she was going to be living down here with him. Of course we suggested they look at A&M, we were hoping to have another Aggie but that probably is not going to happen now," said Neukom.

Valois owned a Vermont communication business and, according to Neukom, set up the radio tower at the Hilltop Lakes runway. That tower had been struck by lighting a few weeks ago.

"What they call pilot-activated light was not working," said Neukom. "We were in radio contact with him and he came in and he was little bit high so he was going to go around and make another approach."

However, in the dark, Valois couldn't see the treetops, and clipped them before crashing into a house on Golfview Drive.

"Once we found the plane was in the house, it was pretty much determined there was no recovery," said Steve Halliburton, Captain of the Hilltop Lakes Fire Department.

Neighbors and friends could only look on knowing the Vermont pilot died doing what he loved.

Valois was flying in for a pilot's gathering at Hilltop Lakes this Saturday. Residents said they will now hold it in his honor.