Gary was born March 19, 1937 and married Linda on June 14, 1958, Flag Day. He served in the Navy from 1955-1959 and stayed in the reserves until 1963. After boot camp at Great Lakes, he attended Electricians School in San Diego. He was then stationed at the Moth Ball Fleet in San Diego not realizing how good he had it with 6 section liberty, new movies at the base theater, the EM Club etc. He was on the Southerland from 1957-1959. He also served on the guided missle cruiser U.S.S. Topeka. He almost shipped over for that kind of duty.

He says the time aboard the Southerland was the best duty he had in the Navy.