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Gary Fred Crosby

1938 - 2021

Gary Fred Crosby obituary, 1938-2021, Colorado Springs, CO

BORN

1938

DIED

2021

FUNERAL HOME

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

501 North Cascade Avenue

Colorado Springs, Colorado

Gary Crosby Obituary

Crosby

Gary Fred

Crosby

August 13, 1938

September 28, 2021



Gary F. Crosby, 83, of Colorado Springs, CO, died peacefully on Tuesday, September 28th at the Brookdale Skyline care facility in Colorado Springs, CO with his wife Lynn by his side.

Born on August 13, 1938 to Henry Fred Crosby and Phyllis Ann Jenner, Gary grew up in McPherson, KS where he was very successful in music and sports. Gary attended the Coast Guard Academy and then served for 30 years, working in search and rescue and drug interdiction. He was stationed in Alaska, California, Connecticut, Florida, Texas, New York, and Washington, DC. Gary met Eleanore Schmidt in California and they married in March 1968. Eleanore, and their sons Kevin and Kyle, moved with him each time. During his tenure in the Coast Guard, was commanding officer on USCGC Durable and USCGC Dallas. Gary also served as head of the Search and Rescue School from 1974-1977 and he retired at the rank of Captain in 1990. He was awarded the senior executive award for his service. His service was exemplary. Gary then worked for the Senior Executive Service in DC for 2 years specializing in drug enforcement, including testifying before Congress.

After retirement he moved back to McPherson, KS and was active in many service organizations including the McPherson Opera House restorations, and the Rotary and Kiwanis for which he was awarded an outstanding recognition in 2001. Gary met Lynn in McPherson and they married in 1999. They moved to their mountain house in Teller County, Colorado in 2001. Gary taught adult bible study and loved the mountain community. After 11 years in the mountains, Gary and Lynn moved to a home in the Brookdale Skyline senior community in Colorado Springs.

Gary is survived by his wife of 22 years, Lynn Crosby, and former wife of 22 years, Eleanore Crosby, and their two sons, Kevin Crosby (wife Kelly) and Kyle Crosby (wife Karen), and granddaughter Brianna Crosby. Gary is also survived by Lynn's children, Mary Lynn McCurry (husband Sean) and Alan Wall (wife Jamie), and grandchildren Cody, Kayla and Kenton McCurry and Audrey and Charlie Wall.

Gary was loved by everyone he knew and made an impact on everyone he met. He was intelligent, disciplined, kind, curious, and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A Memorial Service honoring Gary's life will be held Thursday October 28, 2021 at 1:00pm, at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, followed by reception.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, 2021.

Memories and Condolences
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2 Entries

Bob Finan

December 31, 2022

This is far too late, I think, but I haven´t ever stopped thinking of Gary. I considered him to be my best friend during our years at the Coast Guard Academy. We sang together in the Idlers and the Glee Club, and enjoyed "liberty " together regularly. He was the most pleasant, easy-going guy I have ever known. He can never be replaced.

Bob Finan

Linda Wagner

November 30, 2021

Lynn...I send my heartfelt sympathy in your loss. I just learned of it as I have lost both your phone number and email address and was searching the Internet for it and found an obituary for Gary. I hope you will see this and know that I am so sorry for your loss. Gary was such a blessing and caring husband to you and I know your grief is great. I hope you see this and if you ever want to visit my phone number is 970-568-2559. I won´t be able to contact you since I have lost your contact information. I pray for your comfort and solace. Linda

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Memorial Events
for Gary Crosby

Oct

28

Memorial service

1:00 p.m.

First United Methodist Church

Colorado Springs, CO

Funeral services provided by:

Swan-Law Funeral Directors

501 North Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

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