Captain Gary Ray Moffat USAF (Retired), affectionately called “G Pa” by his grandchildren, passed from this life to the next on April 27, 2024, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar MN, after his battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Gary was born in Willmar, Minnesota at Rice Memorial Hospital to his parents Mr. and Mrs. Arnold and Isabelle Strommen. He was the only child from the marriage and was later raised by his beloved grandparents, Raymond and Nellie Larson, in their home on 4th Street in Willmar until he moved to Pennsylvania as a teenager to be with his mother. He graduated in 1959 from Spring Field Township High School where he was a popular football player and excelled academically. He often reminisced about his classmates and kept track of them through reunions and correspondence. It was during that time that he met his beautiful wife, Ina Myrlene Hudson (Myrl). They married on August 11, 1962, in Flour Town, Pennsylvania. Myrl worked as a hairdresser while Gary finished his Bachelor of Science at Temple University. After his graduation, he became a geography teacher. While teaching at the high school, he was recruited into the US Air Force. Gary and Myrl moved to Vandenberg, California so Gary could begin his Air Force career. While stationed at Vandenberg Airforce Base, they had their two oldest children Gary II and Jennifer. Gary’s Air Force career spanned over 30 years and included active duty and civil service. During his career, Captain Moffat earned his MBA in Accounting from the University of Montana. He was also assigned to many duty stations during his career, which included Vandenberg, California; Ankara, Turkey (where their youngest son, Tom, was born); Lebanon, Pennsylvania; Thailand; Great Falls, Montana; and finally in 1996 General Mitchell in Milwaukee, where he “turned off his computer and began his retirement. He and Myrl enjoyed their retirement years in Washington, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Minnesota.
He was able to make anyone smile with his wit and jokes. He lived his life following Jesus after accepting Christ as Savior, in 1975. He had a generous heart and a deep love for his grandchildren and would often attend their school and sporting events. Gary loved reading, especially Louis Lamour. He liked his trucker hats, collecting guns and shooting, watching movies, and volunteering at church. For many years, Gary and Myrl taught Bible Quiz. The family enjoyed “going to camp” at Hungry Horse Bible Camp in Montana where they enjoyed time with their friends and neighbors. He loved watching NFL football and was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, “Myrl”, his children, Gary (Shardell) Moffat II and Thomas (Fern) Moffat; 10 grandchildren, Erin (Beau Hartwick) Moffat, Nathanael Moffat, Alyssa (John) Davy, Bethany (Josh) Caswell, Andrew (Meredith) Hartman, Caleb (Paige) Hartman, Jenna Moffat, Chryssa Moffat, Will Moffat, and Grant Moffat; three great-grandchildren, and special son-in-law Joel Hartman.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents Raymond and Nellie Larson, his mother Isabelle Wasilsky (nee Larson), sisters-in-law, Janet Mullins and Pauline Freeman, and his beloved daughter Jennifer Lynn Hartman.
Memorial service and remembrance at the chapel Bethesda Grand, Willmar MN April 30, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
Graveside services at Cloverleaf Cemetery on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, at 1:00 PM, followed by
Military honors American Legion Austin F. Hanscom Post 167 Willmar, MN.
A special thank you to the staff at Bethesda Grand, particularly to those on the West Wing, and to the Memory Care staff for giving Gary peace of mind that his bride, Myrl, is compassionately cared for.