Mr. Gary G. Boettcher, Colonel, USAF (Retired), 91 of Lake City passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at his home with his children by his side. He was born on May 13, 1933, in Kewaunee, Wisconsin t the late Elvin E. Bottcher and Bernice (Streu) Boettcher, raised in Green Bay, WI, a lifelong Packer Backer, a 1951 graduate of Green Bay West High School and later earned a BS degree from the University of Omaha. Gary enlisted in the Air Force in March 1952, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program receiving flight training at Goodfellow AFB, Texas, Williams AFB, Arizona and Craig AFB, Alabama. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and awarded his pilot's wings at Craig AFB, Alabama in September 1953. In 1955, while stationed in Alaska, he married Sue Lacombe of Green Bay, WI. They had three children, Craig, Lynn, and Scot. During his 29-year Air Force career he flew F-80, F-86, F-100, F-84, F-5, T-37 and C-130 aircraft. His duty assignments included Fighter Pilot, Flight Training Instructor, Operations Officer, Flight Commander, Mobility Officer, Flight Standardization and Evaluation Officer, Logistician, Senior Advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force (flying 188 combat missions), Deputy Commander of Maintenance and Vice Wing Commander. These assignments took him and his family to various locations including at Craig AFB, AL, Ladd and Eielson AFB Alaska, Bunker Hill AFB, IN, England AFB, LA, Tyndall AFB, FL, Forbes AFB, KS, Robins AFB, GA, Bitburg AB, Germany, Aviano AB, Italy, Lakenheath AB, UK and Clark AB, Philippines. In July 1978 he was assigned to Warner-Robins Air Logistics Center, Robins AFB GA as the C-130 Systems Manager and later as the Chief of the Systems Management Division of the Directorate of Material Management. Colonel Boettcher is a command pilot with more than 4,200 hours of flying time in tactical fighter, training, and cargo aircraft. His decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with seven Oak Leaf Clusters, Air force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnamese Service Medal, and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm. He retired in October 1981 after 29 years of active duty and moved to Lake City, FL to become the Vice President and Assistant General Manager of the Aero Corporation. He subsequently became the Director of Human Resources at Lake City Community College until retirement. He was a life member of the Order of Daedalians, the Air Force Association (AFA), a 30-year member of Kiwanis International and the Military Officers Association (MOAA). Gary was preceded in death by his parents, stepmother, (Evelyn Muchowski) Boettcher, wife Sue, son Scot and daughter in law June Boettcher, brother and sister-in-law Roger and Pat Boettcher.

He is survived by his two children, Craig of Lake City, FL and Lynn (Keith) Rowland of St. Augustine, FL; four grandchildren, Emily Boettcher Andrews of Raleigh, NC and Brianne Boettcher of Dallas, TX Colin Boettcher of Chicago, IL, and Brittany Rowland of St. Augustine, FL; and well as nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Gary will be held on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Gateway-Forest Lawn Chapel with Reverend Jerry Tyre officiating. Interment will be held later in the week in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Visitation with the family will be held from 10:00-11:00 A.M. (1-hour services) at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Judes Childrens Hospital, Make A Wish Foundation or Disabled American Veterans.