More detail on this person: Colonel Gary "Gar" Edward Thiry, USMC Ret. was called to join our
Lord on April 25, 2015. He was born a Packer fan on August 14, 1942 as the first son of Delores Mae
(Flynn) Thiry and Raymond Eric Thiry in Green Bay, WI.
Gar entered the Marine Corps in 1960 at age 16 and was selected for the Aviation Cadet (MARCAD)
program in Pensacola, from which he earned his commission and Naval Aviator wings at age 19 in 1963.
He also met his bride of 52+ years there, Sharon Theresa (Werner) Thiry, whom he married on June 1,
1962.
He flew UH-34 transport Helicopters on the east coast, completing cruises to Europe, Latin America,
and Norway before his first Viet Nam tour in 1965 - 13 months with HMM-363 (Red Lions). Gar returned
to Pensacola as a flight instructor and helped to gather pilots for the first Marine Cobra squadron.
He then returned to Viet Nam for 12 more months.
Gar then worked as an operations officer in the U.S. Taiwan Defense Command where he led the
planning group for the withdrawal of U.S. forces after the normalization of relations with China.
In Hawaii, he commanded a composite CH-46 squadron with Harriers, Cobras, CH-53s and Hueys
attached for an Indian Ocean cruise. He also earned his masters degree there at Chaminade
University.
Gar spent his Washington, D.C tour on the Op Dep staff, working joint aviation
matters. He also helped to create the Marine Corps Doctrine Center at Quantico, VA, serving as Head
of the Joint Warfare department.
As Deputy J-3 and Senior Marine in Latin America at Southern Command (SouthCom) in Panama, he
headed the planning efforts to remove the Noriega regime.
Gar completed his 31 years of active service as the Senior Marine at the Air War College and retired
to Pensacola in 1991. There he designed and built an
award-winning home and then was a successful real estate broker and business owner for 15+
years.
Gar also actively participated in several philanthropic organizations including Kiwanis, Avant
Garde, MOAA and the Daedalions.
This loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend will be missed in too many ways to
list. His humorous wit, integrity, generous spirit, high intelligence, unwavering spiritual compass,
sense of compassion and strong work ethic are just a few of his special qualities that his family
and friends enjoyed. His "girls" will especially miss his energetic dance moves, warm hugs and
having their courageous "rock" to protect and guide them.
He is survived by his forever-loving wife, Sharon T. Thiry, two daughters who will miss their hero:
Laurie Thiry Touchberry and Deborah Delores Reid, a son-in-law: Dwight Touchberry, and five
grandchildren: Kyle Reid, Garren Touchberry, Julia Reid, Logan Reid and Shawn Touchberry. Gar also
is survived by his sisters: Pam Hillman and Kelly Liu, and a brother, Jan Thiry, along with his
wife, Sherry Thiry. He is survived by numerous other family members, friends and colleagues.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, April 30, at the Nativity of Our Lord church, with
visitations held from 9-10 a.m. in the church hall followed by mass at
10 a.m. A military honors ceremony will then take place at the Barrancas National Cemetary at
approximately 11:45 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to support the Wounded
Warriors Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). Condolences and personal memories may also be
posted on the web site for the Oak Lawn Funeral Home: www.dignitymemorial.com
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 01/11/2025
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association