As far back as he can remember, Gary was always interested in things that flew. Like many young boys, he built model airplanes while growing up. He began taking flying lessons while still in high school from a wonderful lady named Arlene Baker, who had been a WAAF pilot during WWII. He was drafted into the army one month after graduating, before he could get his pilot's license. His flying was delayed by two years in the Army and then college, where he earned a BA in biology with a minor in chemistry. While working for a pharmaceutical company he completed his flying lessons and obtained his pilot's license. Over the next several years he built a homebuilt airplane of his own design and restored several other classic factory built aircraft. Upon moving from Oregon to Anchorage, Alaska, he started a small general contracting business, and obtained a commercial license with multi-engine and instrument ratings. He met and married his wife who was a private pilot and also appreciated
