Gary Wayne Timm

Gary W. Timm, 86, was born in Seattle, Washington, on March 2, 1940, to Raymond and Adelle Timm. He grew up in Portland, Oregon, where he graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Long Beach State University and completed the Executive Management Program at Stanford University.

Gary enjoyed a distinguished 40-year career in the airline industry, holding leadership positions with Hughes AirWest, America West Airlines, and Superior Aviation, among others. He also served as president of airline consortiums in Phoenix and Los Angeles. His career reflected a lifelong passion for aviation and took him across the country and around the world.

He had many hobbies over the years, but his primary interest was working on and restoring cars. He loved traveling each year to Hot August Nights and cruising the streets of Reno, NV, in his 1939 Ford Sedan. His love of animals, especially dogs, earned him the title of neighborhood dog whisperer. He adored his beloved dog, Ace, and had an equally special bond with Brady, his stepdaughter’s family dog. Gary was rarely without a pocketful of treats for the neighborhood dogs, who always knew where to find a friendly face and a little something special. His family takes comfort knowing he is continuing this role in his heavenly home.

With the love and support from his family and the blessings of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to welcome him home, Gary passed away peacefully at his home with family and friends by his side on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia; his daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and George Watts; his stepdaughter and son-in-law, Christine and Robert Southerland; his brother, Pat (Mary) Timm; sister Karen (Dennis) Hastay; and brother-in-law Tom Rau (Dana Vogt). He has four beautiful grandchildren (Chloe and Grayson Watts and Morgan and Maxwell Southerland) and a great-grandson (Camden). He will be remembered by all for his sense of humor and love of life.

A Celebration of Life for Gary will be scheduled in Phoenix, Arizona.

In lieu of flowers, the family wishes any donation in his honor to be made to Sky Sanctuary Rescue in Phoenix, AZ, or any charity that supports animal rescue.