Gary Turnipseed

Gary was born in Davenport IA to Daryl and Betty Turnipseed, who soon after made Garland TX their permanent home. Gary had only happy memories of his years growing up in Garland, especially of playing baseball, and remained fast friends with his classmates until the day he died. He received an appointment to the United States Air Force Academy, where he created another band of brothers with fellow cadets who also remain in close contact. Following graduation from the Academy in June 1976, Gary went to flight training for the F-15 Eagle, which he flew until his retirement from the Air Force in December 1996. Not ready to fully retire, Gary was hired by United Air Lines, where he flew the Boeing 737 and AirBus until his retirement in 2016.

Gary and Cathy married at Wright Patterson Air Force Base OH on September 22, 2003, and made their home in the Dayton OH area for the next 18 years, creating yet another circle of friends around their love of animals and participation in animal rescue. Until the pandemic began, they traveled extensively, marking places off their wish lists. In 2021, Gary and Cathy moved to Chuckey TN.

There aren’t adequate words to capture Gary’s life in a format like this. He lived well, laughed often, and loved deeply, and was loved deeply in return. Gary was always ready to learn something new, and was a wonderful conversationalist and story teller. He believed in integrity, honesty, and leading by example. He loved the country he served to protect. He never backed away from a challenge, even if it was outside his comfort zone. He found pleasure in simple things, like the constant presence of two hummingbirds on our porch this summer, and the tailless squirrel who frequented our home in OH. He leaves a legacy in the young men and women he encouraged to follow their dreams, and loved helping them through the application process for appointments to the Service Academies. This time of year would find him breaking out his Beatles collection, and filling the house with their music. He did nothing halfway. He adored his parents, sister, wife and children, who adored him in return. Gary was an avid supporter of our Veterans, an animal lover whose happy place was in the yard with a frisbee and a dog or driving a rescue transport to help homeless dogs find sanctuary. His faith in God was strong and unwavering.

Gary was a dedicated supporter of several charities. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrier Project (woundedwarriorproject.org), Ruff Transport (rufftransport.org), or Wycliffe Bible Translators at Wycliffe.org.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Daryl and Betty Turnipseed, and by his beloved border collie, Hub. He is survived by his soulmate, Cathy, and his constant 4-legged companions, Mattie, Amy, and Carly; his loving daughter, Angela Moruzzi and son-in-law John of Thornton CO; devoted son Brian of Statesville NC; his beloved sister Darla Mixson and brother-in-law Keith Waters of Grand Prairie TX; and numerous extended family members in TX, TN, IA, and SC.

A celebration of life will be held on October 5, 2024 at 5:00pm, with visitation from 3:00-5:00 at Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home. A second celebration will be held in Garland TX at a later date, and Gary’s remains will be laid to rest at the United States Air Force Academy.

Kiser-Rose Hill Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.kiserrosehillfuneralhome.com.