~ IN MEMORY ~
Navy veteran, DL Capt. Gary NEES
May 30, 1936 ~ May 26, 2020
Word has reached our website with the passing of retired
Delta pilot Captain Gary Ermel NEES, just shy of his 84th birthday. Captain Nees joined Delta Air Lines
02-08-1965 and was based Dallas. He is
survived by his wife Jane plus many more close family members. Obituary information may be viewed online
at
For those wishing to send a personal note, we see a
whitepages listing for the family as
809 Lake Point Cir., McKinney
TX 75072-5160.
Thank you,
~ Carol for the PCN
Obituary……………….. NEES, Gary Ermel
In Loving Memory of Gary Ermel Nees: Gary Ermel Nees was
born in Forsythe, MT on May 30, 1936 and passed away peacefully on May 26, 2020
at the age of 83. Gary joined the Navy as a pilot and an aviator trainer when
he was 18. He received many accolades and successfully executed rescue missions
during his time in the Navy. He finished his career as a captain for Delta
Airlines. After retiring, he lead groups of volunteers as president of the
Lion's Club.
Gary was proceeded in death by his parents Margaret and Lafe
Brooks. He is survived by his wife Jane Nees. His daughter Shelly Nees,
granddaughter Raini, grandson Royce, and two great grandsons. Son Daryl and
(daughter in law) Tracy Nees, and granddaughter Alexandra and son Steve Nees.
His stepson Jeff Hirshberg and stepdaughter Allison and (son in law) Matt
Ulrich and step granddaughter Victoria. His brother Dean and (sister in law)
Stephanie Nees, and sister ViAnn Strode. He also had many nieces and nephews.
There will be a memorial to honor his life at a later date.
Dad flew the Texan T-6 trainers at only 18 (1954) and by 1956 was flying #233 F9F Panther. He served on CVS-33 Kearsarge with rescue helos (Helasron-6). After returning to San Diego, Kearsarge was used in the filming of the 1954 movie, The Caine Mutiny. From 6–13 February 1955, Kearsarge supported units of the fleet in the successful evacuation of 18,000 civilians and 20,000 military personnel from the islands. During the summer of 1958, Kearsarge was fitted out as a(n) (antisubmarine warfare) support carrier and reclassified CVS-33. CVS-33 Kearsarge was Essex class (limited jets could fly off her decks) but did receive and upgrade on the deck. He also was on the Sigma-7 capsule recovery team (astronaut Walter Shirra) and then the next Mercury recovery with Gordon Cooper in capsule (Gary may have moved to Kitty Hawk by this time). and it seems like he spent some time on Kitty Hawk, with pictures in Sep 1956 seen posing with the Douglas A4B Skyhawk which coincides with the first general deliveries of these models to Navy pilots on carriers. He spent a lot of time in Japan, took part in rescues of Japanese civilians during deadly natural disasters and when he left to join Delta Airlines (2-8-1965) it has been posted he would rush daily to the nearest newspaper stand to read up on the war and was worried if leaving the Navy was a mistake every day of the first months of his employ with Delta. Once I am able to dig deeper into the "chest" will post a more complete bio for those who are still alive, knew him, and would like to add commentary to the records. Great Dad, everyone knew when Gary was 'in the room'. He had is difficult times (as we all do) and he is sorely missed by his sons. We are still digging into the details to recreate a detailed account with best information accuracy possible.
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