Gary Ray NEREM

NEREM, FELTIS, MERRILL, GOODWIN, SANDS, EDGEMON, CHEEVER, BAKER, HEIDENWITH, PHILLIPS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 12/12/2012 at 23:19:25

October 26, 1944 --- March 17, 2011

Gary Ray Nerem, son of Gerhard and Ruth (Feltis) Nerem was born October 26, 1944 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was given the gift of new life in Christ through Baptism at Lake Lutheran Church and was confirmed at St. Paul's Lutheran in Renwick. Gary attended Boone-Valley School in Renwick graduating in 1962. After graduation, Gary enlisted in the Air Force on December 7, 1962. Upon completion of basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, he attended technical school at Sheppard AFB, Texas to learn the skill of aircraft mechanic. Upon graduation from tech school in 1963, Sergeant Nerem's first assignment was Offutt AFB, Nebraska, where he was an aircraft mechanic on T-29's. In 1965, Sergeant Nerem was sent overseas to Ben Ho, Vietnam, where he worked on A1E aircraft and helped train Vietnamese pilots. The following year, SMSgt Nerem was assigned to Peterson Field, Colorado, again working on T-29s and helping to support the crews assigned to the Air Force Academy. In 1967, it was back to Vietnam for a second tour, this time in Da Nang. After spending a year as a mechanic on the O-2 Skymaster in Da Nang, his next assignment was to England AFB, Louisiana. It was here that Sergeant Nerem assisted in the training of both Thai and Vietnamese airman on B-26s. Nerem then transferred to McClellan AFB, California where he worked on EC-121s. It was upon being advised of his third tour of Vietnam that Sergeant Nerem availed himself of his upcoming discharge. Upon being honorably discharged on December 4, 1970, Nerem spent the next 10 years as a civilian.

On August 3, 1969 he was united in marriage to Sandra Merrill. To this union, his son, Carl and daughter, Teresa was born. Gary moved back to the area (Swea City, Bancroft, Lone Rock) where he started a trucking and shelling business. Later he and his brothers owned and operated Nerem Bros. Spraying Service. Gary was also elected Mayor of Lone Rock in January 1978 and served until June 1982. As Mayor, he was instrumental in the building of the new water tower. However, with the military still embedded in his heart, Gary joined the Army National Guard in Algona, Iowa in 1980. Upon figuring that the Air Force was a better choice for him, he joined the Sioux City Air National guard in 1981, where he was soon working on A-7's. A year later, in June 1982, Sergeant Nerem gleefully arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, to the 459th CAMS. He was then a mechanic on the C-130's, a crew chief on the C-141, a senior controller in the job control section and in 1991 became Superintendent of the Logistics Support Squadron which was subsequently re-designated the Maintenance Operations Flight. MOF had overall responsibility for transportation and aircraft maintenance control operation. They also provide all commanders within the Maintenance Group with training, budget, facility, plans and programs, analysis, production debriefing and plans and scheduling support.

Upon retirement, Gary moved to Green Castle, MO to get away from the big city life and be closer to family. He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Kirkville, MO. Gary always kept busy and hardly ever sat still. His hobbies included helping family and friends, remodeling, building his garage in Missouri, farming, restoring antique autos, buying and selling Chevy metros and most of all spending time with his family and friends.

Those left to honor Gary's memory are his son, Carl and fiancee Angie Goodwin of Lusby MD and daughter, Teresa Sands of Unionville, MO. His six grandchildren: Carl Nerem, Christopher Nerem, Lillian Edgemon, Savanah, Grant, and Matthew Sands. Also surviving is his mother, Ruth Nerem of Lone Rock and his very special friend and companion, Alyce Cheever of Armstrong, IA. Two sisters, Gloria (Robert) Baker of Owatonna, MN. Carolyn (Chuck) Heidenwith of Novinger, MO and two brothers: Jerry (Marla) of Lone Rock, IA and Paul (Theresa) of Fenton, IA. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, cousins and friends. Gary was preceded in death by his grandparents and his father, Gerhard Nerem, in June 1978 and two great nephews, Bret and Colin Phillips in November 2004. Gary with his positive outgoing "Git-R-Done" personality was loved dearly by his family and friends and will be greatly missed.

INTERMENT in Fenton Township Cemetery

Henry - Olson Funeral Home
http://www.henryolsonfuneral.com/obituaries.aspx?turl=http://hosting-25481.tributes.com/show/gary-nerem-93702875