Gary L. Nail

Ecclesiastes 7:1 - "Your death date tells more than your birthdate" (MSG).
(Explanation: When you are born, your story begins, but at your death, your story is written.)
Gary Lee Nail, 90, passed away on November 10, 2024, in Oceanside, CA. True to his dry wit,
he left us with a wink and a smile on the birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
His memory lives on in the hearts of his daughters, Eva and Mary; his grandchildren, Rachel,
Sam, and Mason; and his great-grandchildren, Liam, Mary Sue, Hazel, Evelyn, and Catherine
Mercy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Marjorie, and his wife, Sally Ann
Nail.
Gary was born in 1934 in Garden City, Kansas. During the Great Depression, his parents,
Clarence and Marjorie, moved the family to California in search of better opportunities. He often
shared stories of bouncing up and down in a Model A Ford, unable to see over the dashboard.
The family settled in the Paso Robles area, where Gary learned the value of hard work while
delivering ice and working as a ranch hand. He loved to tell the story of meeting the love of his
life, Sally Ann, in the fifth grade while she was hanging upside down on the monkey bars.
What began on the playground continued, and in 1953, Gary and Sally married and began their
life together in the United States Marine Corps. Gary, a proud Marine, and Sally, a well-loved
homemaker, started their family at Camp Pendleton with the birth of Eva, their first daughter, in
1954. Their second daughter, Mary, was born in San Francisco in 1958. Together, the family
weathered three tours of duty in Vietnam, during which Gary received a battlefield commission
to lieutenant. As a "mustanger," Gary was one of the rare few who transitioned from enlisted to
officer status in the Marine Corps. After 23 years of service, Gary and Sally retired from the
Corps and settled into the home they shared for 50 years.
Gary was known for his deep faith and unwavering love for his family and friends. Among the
many titles he held, the ones he cherished most were Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Great-Grandpa,
and US Marine. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, regaling them with
stories of history and life, always laced with irony, wit, and laughter.
Every family has its stories. Some were the everyday moments, like teaching his kids to drive.
Others were much more difficult, like Sally's battle with dementia. But Gary rose to the occasion,
visiting Sally daily at her memory care facility for eight years. Each evening ended with a
heartfelt "goodnight dance." When asked why he did this, Gary simply replied, "We are
married." These stories, and countless others, are a testament to a well-lived life-one devoted
to faith, family, and as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Gary's life will be celebrated on Saturday, November 30th, at 3 p.m. at the Rhythm Church, 701
West St., Oceanside, California. A reception will follow.
Instead of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Youth for Christ International,
account 95024, in support of the ministry of Bill and Mary Springston.