GUY GERARD

GUY GERARD Guy Rondell Gerard was born in Salina, Kansas to Helen Lorriane Gans and Donald Edward Gerard on February 3, 1955. His brother Mark preceded his birth by four years. Guy started his higher education at McPherson High School where he excelled in sports and academics. This along with his Eagle Scout badge contributed to securing a spot at the Coast Guard Academy in May 1973 in New London Connecticut. That summer was spent sailing on the Coast Guard flagship "The Bark Eagle" to Europe. His competitive nature drove him to compete for a highly sought after degree in oceanography. He graduated in May 1977, packed his bags, and set off for his first assignment in Ketchikan, Alaska. At this time, he got engaged to Laura C Basile whom he later married. A buoy ender, "The Laurel", was his home for the next year where he got to revisit his past dream of becoming a Forest Ranger; hiking, fishing and communing with nature. During his year in Alaska, he applied for flight school staus and was accepted for a class date of January 2, 1979 at Pensacola, Florida Naval Air Station. He flew in the Coast Guard for the next 10 years on the C130 and Falcon Jet; first in Elizabeth City North Carolina and second in Mobile Alabama where he was chosen among many to head up the education and training for the new jet, "The Falcon", acquired by the Coast Guard to assist the C130 fleet in search and rescue missions as well as drug enforcement. One of these search and rescue missions led to recommendation by Guy and his crew to start a swimmers in the water program to save more lives. The program was later implemented and called Rescue Swimmers and has been adapted for a movie starring Kevin Costner called The Guardian. Guy continued with the Coast Guard in the reserves, retiring with 20 years in. In March of 1984 Guy decided to change careers and joined the Delta Airlines team where he thrived flying international for thirty two years, retiring as a captain on February 3, 2020. At this time he moved to Destin, Florida from Manhattan, New York. After traveling for so many years in so many countries he came home to the Panhandle where he started and ended his formal flight career. Guy died at home on June 11, 2023 at age 68 and will be interned at Arlington Cemetery at a future, undetermined date.