Capt. Paul H. Garst, USN (ret.), 76, of Pensacola, FL passed away Tuesday, January 15, 2019.

He was born on June 13, 1942 in Tulsa, OK and attended Tulsa Junior College and graduated in 1972 from University of West Florida with a BS in Economics. He became a bombardier navigator in the A-6 Intruder aircraft in 1967, serving in Squadron 145 aboard the USS Enterprise from 1967-1969. He was Squadron Duty Officer at the time of the explosion and fire on board the Enterprise that killed 46 men, an experience that stayed with him all of his life. He then came to Pensacola to be head of navigation training at VT-10 at Sherman Field on NAS Pensacola from 1969-1971. He left active duty, stayed in the reserves and was recalled to active duty in 1983, when he became Officer in Charge at NETSAFA at NAS Pensacola. Promoted to Captain in 1985, Paul retired in 1991 and continued working at NETSAFA in a civilian capacity until 2003. Paul was recognized for having left an indelible mark on international students and for being an ambassador of good will to all levels of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and Royal Saudi Air Force.

He is preceded in death by his son, Steven Paul Garst and nephews, James Caldwell and Christopher Caldwell.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sally (Elens) Garst of Pensacola, FL; his son, Brian James Garst (Kasima) and his beloved granddaughter Emma Wilawan Garst, all of Germantown, MD; a sister, Marcia Caldwell of Tulsa, OK; as well as a well-loved extended family of brothers, sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be held 1:00pm until a Memorial Service at 2:00pm Tuesday, January 22, 2019 at Harper-Morris Memorial Chapel, with Chaplain Ken Griffin officiating and full Navy honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Steven Garst Men's Cross Country Scholarship Endowment, c/o the UWF Foundation, 11000 University Pkwy., Pensacola FL 32514.