Colonel Gary Lynn Elsten (Ret.), age 77, of Pensacola, FL, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 13, 2021, at his residence surrounded by his family. Gary was born on March 2, 1944, in Chanute, KS, to the late Myrle and Viola Elsten.

Gary was a devoted husband, a loving father, grandfather, and loyal friend to many. Gary will be remembered for his devotion to God, family, country, and the Marine Corps. Those left to cherish his memory include Virginia, his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 56 years;  a brother Neal Elsten (Rita), Tucson, AZ; a son Bradford Elsten (Kelly), Lawrence, KS; a daughter Jennifer Shelley (Charles), Mooresville, NC; three grandchildren, Charlie, Jack, and Lou Elsten, Lawrence, KS; several nieces and nephews, friends, and his constant companion, Bubba, his Irish Setter.

Gary graduated from Bartlesville College High School, in Bartlesville, OK in 1962 and from Oklahoma State University in 1966 with a B. S. degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, Gary joined the Marine Corps and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in October 1966. After a ground combat tour in Vietnam in 1967/68, Gary was accepted for Navy Pilot Training. Following winging and initial F-4 qualification and a short stateside VMFA tour, Gary returned to Vietnam flying 115 combat missions from Da Nang and Nam Phong  RTAFB, Thailand. He held operational flying billets in VMFA-115, VMFA-122, VMFA- 251, VMFA-312, VMFA-333, VMFA-451, VMFA-531, VMFAT-101, VT-7 and MAG-24. He assumed command of VMFA-251 in August 1982. In June 1984 he reported to Headquarters Marine Corps to be the F/A-18 program coordinator and then in 1986 Gary attended the National War College. Colonel Elsten reported to MAG -24 headquarters in June 1987, and in June 1988 he assumed command of MAG-24, the Marine Corps' only Composite Air Group. Following a tour at the Pentagon and MCAS Cherry Point, Gary retired from the Marine Corps in July 1995.

After Gary's distinguished service in the Marine Corps, he began his second career in 1996 as a contract pilot of the T-39 Sabreliner in NFO training at Pensacola. During his 16 years at NAS Pensacola, over 4,000 Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and foreign (German, Italian, Saudi, and Singapore) officers were winged. Gary hung up his flight suit in April 2012 after logging 11,740 flight hours.

Gary was a faithful member and served as an Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Pensacola, FL. He volunteered weekly at the USO and for many years enjoyed playing golf and even had three holes in one. Gary was an avid Oklahoma State University Cowboys fan and was an extraordinarily proud member of the Golden Eagles.

The family would like to thank Covenant Care Hospice for the loving care shown to Gary during his time with them.

The family will receive friends from 12:00pm until a 1:00pm memorial service on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church, Pensacola, FL. with Reverend Robert Quiring, officiating.

A graveside service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the US Marine Corps.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: First Presbyterian Church, 33 East Gregory Street, Pensacola, FL 32502.