Capt. Gary F. Farris, Sr. USN (Ret.), of Pensacola, FL passed away on Sunday, August 28, 2022.

Gary was born Dec. 13, 1934 in North Bend, NE to the late Woodrow and Evelyn Farris. He graduated from Bergen Catholic High School and attended Creighton University in Omaha. Gary joined the US Navy entering the NavCad program in 1954 and receiving his wings of gold Dec. 1954. He had 7,200 combined flight hours on the T-28, S-2, T-33 and A-4 aircrafts, along with 300 carrier landings during his career. While stationed at NAS Glenview in 1966, Capt. Farris formed and was a member of the U.S. Navy Air Barons flight demonstration team flying the A-4 aircraft which traveled throughout the country and Canada at many military and civilian air shows. During this tour the team earned special recognition for their performance in the International Air Show in Toronto, Canada. One highlight during Gary's career occurred when he was flying a single engine AD-6 Skyraider, heading back to NAAS Falon when the plane's engine died, leaving him 24,000 feet high and 25 miles out. He was able to "dead stick" the plane back to the base saving the plane and himself.

In July 1975 Capt. Farris was transferred to Naval Air Reserve, Memphis as Executive Officer and became Commanding Officer of NARU-Memphis the following year. He retired in 1978 having honorably served in the US Navy for 24 years. He flew airplanes throughout his entire career. Gary loved golfing and boating. He was a member of the Wild Bunch and the Sandcrab Senior Golf Association. He was a volunteer at the Naval Aviation Museum and was a member and served as treasurer of the Navy Yacht Club Pensacola. Gary and wife Terri enjoyed traveling and took many European trips via the military's space available program with dear friends Whit and Carol Johnson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Bob Farris; as well as his daughter, Amber Candler.

Capt. Farris is survived by his wife of 52 years, Terri Larson Farris; two daughters, Heidi (husband, Andy) Toye and Amy (husband, Rade) Stojsavljevic; five grandchildren, Hunter, Madison, Mason, Grady and Ava; as well as his siblings, Bill (wife, Kris), Sharon Agress, and Margaret Meier (husband, Larry).

The family will receive friends from 12:00pm until a Memorial Mass to begin at 1:00pm Monday, September 19, 2022, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, with Fr. Tom Collins, celebrant. A committal service will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors being accorded by the US Navy. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at the church by 1:45pm to line up for procession to the cemetery.