In Memoriam

December 22, 1943 - May 17, 1996

Gary was hired by the Flying Tiger Line on 4/25/1966.  He obtained Captain on the B747 and was the LAX Chief Pilot for many years before his illness.

Below is his obituary as published in the Ventura County Star on Tuesday May 28, 1966.

Gary Gray Stearns, age 52 of Camarillo died Friday, May 17, 1996, at UCLA Medical Center after a 14-month illness.
He was born December 22, 1943 in Glendale, and had been a Ventura County resident for 16 1/2 years, coming from the San Fernando Valley.  Mr. Stearns was an airline pilot for 30 years.  He was in the Civil Air Patrol; Confederate Air Force; restoring World War II aircraft, and enjoyed acrobatic flying.
Mr Stearns is survived by his wife, Sherry; sons, Eric and Scott; mother Betty Stearns; sister, Betty Grace Harding; brothers, Leonard Stearns, Dale Luff and Ron Stearns.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, June 1, 1996, at 1 p.m. at Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary.  He was cremated.
The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the American Cancer Society, 121 N. Joanne Ave., Ventura 93003, or phone 1/800/227-2345
Arrangements are under the direction of Pierce Bros. Griffin Mortuary, 1075 East Daily Drive, Camarillo 93010