Lt. Colonel Gary Lee Coleman, USAF (ret), 78, passed
away at his residence in Yuba City after a battle with
amyloidosis. Gary was born on March 7, 1934, in Seattle,
Washington, to Helen and Wilbur Coleman.
Gary attended the
University of Washington where he received a BA
in Business and was a member of the golf team for four
years and in ROTC. After graduating from the University of
Washington in 1956, Gary joined the Air Force. While in
the Air Force, Gary flew as a radar navigator for the B-47
and B-52 and in 1967 went on to fly the SR-71 at Beale Air
Force Base. In 1974, Gary, was recognized for flying the
greatest number of operational missions in the SR-71.
Throughout his 28 year career in the Air Force, Gary
received numerous awards and commendations, including two
Distinguished Flying Crosses. Gary was a member of the
Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) and Sons
of Retirement.
FINAL
FLIGHTS
