Gary Waters

Gary Francis Waters, 86, of Arcadia passed away peacefully on December 7, 2024, at his home with his wife by his side.

Gary was born on September 19, 1938, in Winona to Earl and Alice (Marking) Waters. He graduated from Arcadia High School in 1956. He enlisted on October 12, 1956, in the U.S. Air Force. He served from 1956 to 1976. Gary retired from the Air Force with a rank of TSGT E6.

Gary’s personal memoirs of his life:

“I graduated from Arcadia High School, Arcadia, WI in May 1956. I worked the summer on the home farm and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, Oct. 12, 1956. Aptitude tests indicated a high aptitude in electronics. I was trained as a flight facilities equipment repairman, and upon completion of technical school, assigned duties in the field of navigational aids and communications. By 1968, I had advanced to the level of highly skilled technician and held the position of section supervisor at several stations. In that capacity I was responsible for equipment maintenance and operation, maintenance schedules and records, quality control, and the training and performance of other technicians.

In 1972, I was assigned duty as the supervisor of a squadron maintenance and quality control function which maintained the status of all squadron maintenance and parts requisitions and inspected the quality of maintenance and skill of technicians on a periodic basis.

In 1974, I was assigned to a communications area- headquarters to the Navigation-Communications Management Office. My duties were to maintain the status of all navigational aids in Europe and the Mediterranean area, and to secure and dispatch assistance as necessary to maintain continuous operation.

On returning to the U.S. in 1976, I retired from the Air Force with 20 years service. I felt that I had little chance of again working as a technician. I prefer technical work to positions in which I have no opportunity to participate in maintenance. I returned to Arcadia and started a portable welding and repair business for local farmers, which I still operate at this time. In November 1977, I took over operation of the family farm. I operated it until April 1982.”

In 1984, Gary graduated from Winona State University with a degree as a FAA Airman Mechanic. From 1985 until retirement in 2000, Gary worked in Environmental Services and maintenance at St. Joseph’s Hospital. After retirement, he worked as an EMT and drove for AbbyVan.

His first love was collecting and fixing older tractors and cars. He could tear down and fix just about anything. He enjoyed wood carving, which included ducks and pipes. Gary married Sylvia (Sokup) on August 28, 1987.

Gary is survived by his wife of 37 years; 3 sons from a previous marriage: Shaun, Earl, and Glenn from Washington State; grandsons: Ryan and Tyler Waters; granddaughter: Ilea Waters (Cozad); great-granddaughters: Monroe and Miller Waters; step-sons: Doug and Mike Sokup of Arcadia; step-grandchildren: Christa (Dwight) Weisenberger, Dayton, Ryan and William Sokup; step-great-grandchildren: Beau and Adalynn Weisenberger.

A private graveside service for family and close friends will be held at Glencoe Lutheran Cemetery, with Pastor Rufus Kudee officiating. Military Rites will be presented by Tickfer-Erickson American Legion Post #17, honoring Gary’s last wishes.

A special “thank you” goes to Katie Severson for being there for me.