John "Jack" Gebhart

Jack Gebhart passed away at the age of 92 on Monday, May 5, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Funeral mass will be 1:30pm, Friday, May 9, 2025, with visitation one hour prior to the service, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Father John Fischer will be the celebrant.
* The funeral service will be recorded and uploaded under this obituary.
Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.
Honorary Pallbearers will be his good friend and flight training buddy, Bob Schulz and Fleet Reserve friends, Gerry Davey and LeRoy "Andy" Anderson.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Gebhart, Josh Gebhart, Samuel Gabel, Jonas Gabel, Paul Gabel, and Lee Gabel.
So that others may know the joy of aviation, memorials may be designated in the name of Jack Gebhart and directed to the R.P. "Pete" Kliegle Aviation Scholarship managed by the Watertown Area Community Foundation at PO. Box 116, Watertown, SD 57201 or online www.watertowncommunityfoundation.
John "Jack" DeWall Gebhart was born at home on March 17, 1933 to Henry J. and Anna (DeWall) Gebhart in Watertown, SD. He grew up on the Post Office block in Watertown. As the youngest of 9 children, he learned valued life lessons during the Depression and WW2 with 3 brothers serving in the war. At Watertown High School during his senior year, he noticed his future wife, Marlene Kolln, in English class. Both graduated in 1951.
April 13th, 1953, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy and attended Navy Electronics School. Upon completion, he was selected for the Naval Aviation Cadet Training Program in Pensacola, FL where he got "hooked" on the freedom of flying airplanes. At Corpus Christi, TX he received his Navy Wings indicating his commission as an officer and aviator in October 1955.
He then returned to Watertown to marry Marlene at Immaculate Conception Church on November 5th, 1955. They immediately moved to FL where he was a Naval flight instructor for 3 years at Whiting Field. After training to fly helicopters, he then flew as part of a helicopter detachment providing rescue support to the USS Enterprise and other aircraft carriers on the US West Coast. Among his duty stations, he particularly enjoyed serving in Norfolk, VA in VRF31 where he qualified to fly at least 13 fixed wing and rotary aircraft. Later, he became the last Naval commander of Naval Air Station-Twin Cities (MN) and transitioned it to become the current Air Force Reserve base there. Another favorite station was his last which was near New Orleans, LA.
After retiring in August, 1976 at the rank of commander (USNR), he moved his family to Trails End Farm near Watertown, SD-the same farm Marlene's parents bought in 1949. Jack enjoyed hobby farming, flying charter flights, and starting an air freight business. He also liked hunting, fishing (especially with Ted Lane), cooking, gardening, making bread, and woodworking. Other pleasures were participating in the local Fleet Reserve, interviewing students for Navy ROTC scholarships, participating in the Immaculate Conception Church choir, and tutoring students at IC School. He and Marlene also enjoyed making more friends as they wintered in Oak Ridge, TN for the last decade.
Jack was a memorable personality, growing from "Little Jackie" to "Very, Very, Very, Old Jack." To most young people, he was "Opa." He was known for his big smile, hearty laugh, hospitality, and joy in giving. He kept busy improving, creating, and building. He taught his children to persevere, show love, and protect the Gebhart name. Together, he and Marlene have shown many what it means to keep your word, especially your vows.
Jack Gebhart passed away on his beloved farm at the age of 92 on Monday, May 5, 2025 in Watertown, SD.
Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Marlene of Watertown; his children, Mark (Delanah) Gebhart of Tallahassee, FL; Thomas Gebhart of Watertown, Anne (Lee) Gabel of Watertown; Joseph Gebhart of Oak Ridge, TN; and daughter-in-law, Patsy Gebhart. Ten grandchildren: Katy Gebhart, Samuel Gabel (Mikayla), Jonas Gabel (Courtney), Paul Gabel (Dani), Eve Kolb (Brandon), Maria Gabel, Jacob Gebhart, Josh Gebhart, William Dyke (Kala) and Jessica Dyke; 8 great-grandchildren, Jackson and Breelle Gebhart, Ellie and Silas Gabel, Ellie, Liam, Evelyn and Luke Dyke.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his son John K. Gebhart; three brothers, George, Nick and Melvin: and five sisters, Mary Tesch, Nell Taecker, Peg Harper, Vera Anne Coffey, and Shirley Gebhart.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family – www.wightandcomes.com