Lieutenant Colonel Gary Harold Minar, U.S. Air Force (ret.), age 88, entered the presence of his Lord on Oct. 24, 2024.
Gary suffered a cardiac arrest on Oct. 21 while on vacation in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was placed on life support and passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family.
Gary was born in Inglewood, California, on Jan. 4, 1936, a fraternal twin with his sister Marilyn Minar Ebert, born a day later, on Jan. 5.
Gary graduated from El Segundo High School and went on to attend the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1958. He took his commission in the U.S. Air Force and embarked on a distinguished space and missile career, beginning at Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.
In 1965, Gary earned his Master of Science in astronautics from USC, and subsequently served at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
In 1969, during the height of the Apollo lunar landing program, Gary was stationed at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, where he served as the Air Force liaison and technical representative, contributing to the Apollo missions and development of the Space Shuttle.
From 1972-76, Gary continued his work on shuttle and satellite programs at Los Angeles Air Force Base. He later served as safety director for space and missile launches at Vandenberg Air Force Base, retiring from active duty in 1978.
Gary transitioned to a second career in civilian aerospace, working at Martin Marietta (now Lockheed-Martin) at Vandenberg Air Force Base for over 20 years.
He played a pivotal role in developing the West Coast launch facilities for the Space Shuttle, and later worked in engineering management on satellite launch programs until retiring in 1998.
Even in retirement, Gary’s expertise was sought after, and he worked as a consultant at Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg until 2007.
Gary was deeply engaged with the Naval Academy Alumni Association, and gave generously of his time to his local community. He participated in multiple men’s groups and was a dedicated member of Valley Christian Fellowship, where he built lifelong friendships and faithfully served.
Two of his beloved stepbrothers and their families survive Gary: Bill (Marny) Dupuy of Gilbert, Arizona; George (Judy) Dupuy of Gardnerville, Nevada; and the family of David Dupuy (widow Susan Dupuy Beck) of Northridge, California. Gary’s stepbrother David Dupuy is deceased.
Gary was also predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Barbra Kay Goodyear Minar of Gulfport, Mississippi, who passed on Nov. 5, 2017; and son Jeffrey Allen Minar, who passed on Nov. 27, 2019.
His surviving children lovingly remember Gary: Steven Harold Minar (Kathleen) of Bend, Oregon, and Katherine Leone Scarfe (George Richard) of Vandenberg Village, California.
He was the proud grandfather of six grandchildren: Christopher Minar (Megan) of Santa Barbara; David Minar (Rowan) of Somerville, Massachusetts; Joshua Scarfe of Lompoc; Alyssa Minar of Bend; Evelyn Scarfe of Long Beach, California; and Alea Minar of Eugene, Oregon.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Santa Ynez Valley Presbyterian Church, 2 p.m. Jan. 4. The date marks Gary’s 89th birthday, a fitting tribute to his full and impactful life.
A livestream link for the service is https://youtube.com/live/aUWmWGai9VA?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to:
• The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association (www.usna.com), honors the institution that shaped Gary into the outstanding leader he became.
• The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org), in recognition of Gary’s triumph over prostate cancer.
• A local women’s shelter or organization supporting single mothers and children reflects Gary’s heart for his community.
If preferred, donations to a charity of your choice are also welcome.
Thank you for celebrating Gary’s remarkable life and legacy with us.