Gary attended Mt. Diablo High Scholl in Holbrook Heights, CA, graduating in 1963. He was on the Cheerleading Team & a strong butterfly swimmer on the Swim Team. He was a seriously gifted student, and therefore passed over the 5th grade into the 6th. His fellow students remember that he was talented with his hands and could build or make anything. He made his own surfboard and sand board and throughout his life would always enjoy tinkering in his woodshop. He was also an excellent athlete who excelled in every sport in which he participated.
He later attended Mt. Mary's college in Moranga, CA and graduated with a degree in French in 1967. He was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity at Cal Berkeley. He graduated from Officers Training School in 1969.
Gary joined the Air force and became a pilot. He also had the distinction of being the youngest Captain at that time.
After a near fatal motorcycle accident Gary left the Air force and moved to Manhattan Beach, CA.
He worked at The Doctor's Company in Santa Monica, a medical malpractice company from 1977 - 1985.
The rest of his career was spent as a contracts administrator for Aerospace Corp. in El Segundo from 1986 until his retirement in 2008.
Gary was married to Mary Lockett from 1978 - 1986 and stepfather to Mary's daughter Samantha. They were extremely saddened by his untimely passing.
Gary was a lifetime lover of model airplanes and would build these intricate airplanes and fly them. He was also a great cook and loved sharing & collecting recipes with his friends. He loved animals, especially cats and was known to take care of the neighborhood kittens. Perhaps his greatest passion was flying and being a pilot in the Air force. In later life he kept in touch with many of his fellow pilots. The camaraderie was very important to him.
He is survived by his mother, Rose Widmer who resides in Walnut Creek, CA, as well as many-treasured friend, He will be greatly missed.
Note: this information was delivered to Post 184 by a long time friend who did not leave his name.