Gary Bisplinghoff

Gary William Bisplinghoff was born on September 10, 1940 in San Diego, California. Upon May 7, 2021, he went to Heaven from his residence in Corpus Christi- North Padre Island, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his son, Jon Christopher Bisplinghoff.

His survivors include his wife, Marilyn Elaine Veale-Davis- Bisplinghoff of 41 years; daughter, Lisa Roxanne Bisplinghoff Fluke; grandchildren, Master Sgt. Robert Christopher Fluke, wife, Jessica, Blain and wife Amanda Fluke, Whitney Gray Bisplinghoff-Morken and husband, Taylor Morken, Allison Rae Bisplinghoff, Brooke Renee Bisplinghoff-Mitchell and husband Chance Mitchell; great great grandchildren, Samantha, Jade, Carissa Fluke, Jonathan Mitchell, Michael, James and Jason Fluke; sister-in-laws, Margaret (late Margaret Veale), Patty Weaver-Veale (late husband Robert Veale and three children), Irene Francis Veale-Renfroe, Cecilia Bisplinghoff Blair and Theresa Veale- Mellen; nieces and nephews (some great), Brannon and wife Heidi Veale Forhan and her children, Theresa Edy Keine and husband Matt Keine, Marcel Perry and wife Barbara Perry, Sylvia Renfroe, Jessica Bell-Veale, Marissa Veale-Smylie, Jessica Veale, Jen Veale- Legitt-Thomas, Dylan Guevera, Micah Veale, Georgia Veale- Guevera (sorry for not mentioning all), Olivia Keine, Isabelle Keine, Claire Keine, Lauren Bisplinghoff, Lola Renfroe, Malayhah, Dave Renfroe, Jack Renfroe, Dan Renfroe, (over 60 nieces and nephews to include of sister, Margaret Veale’s two sons: Donald Veale, Gary Veale), Matt Perry, Bryan Witt, cannot mention all, other nieces and great great and great family, many cousins; former brother-in-law, Troy Renfroe; former daughter in law, Jamie Bisplinghoff Edge; friends, Richard E. Beekman, wife Donnietta “Dee” and their daughters Tina Guntherie, Kathryn E. Beekman, Cooke and husband Jay, their daughter and families, Steve and Gina Bentz, their son, Ky and wife Valerie Leiana, Zef, Wyatt, Makayla and daughter Jaclyn Bentz,- Matthews and husband, Sean, and son Merrick, Bill and Jan Hall, Ed Anderle, Bill Anderle, Duane and Patty Norton and late Geno, wife Maryanne Cioe; military lifelong friends and extended families, over 50 years for Gary- United States Marine Corps Major Michael Layman and wife Vicky, Major Glen Turley and wife Mary Ellen, Frank Burmendez, Mario Aguirre and many late others, may they rest in peace. Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, of NASA and MIT, author/writer, Carolyn (Merriam Bachman) and Jim Bachman, Scott and Trudy Miller, Owens family, Greg and LaVonne Benda and Roberta Benda-Siebert.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, Charles Robert Bisplinghoff; mother, Roberta; step-mother, Margarita; brother, Jacques Bisplinghoff; brother-in-law, Wilbur G. Veale and others; aunt, Mabel Bisplinghoff; sister, Yvonne Edy; uncles, Dyer Jack Bisplinghoff, Gus Bisplinghoff and Fred Bisplinghoff and many cousins.

Gary entered the United States Marine Corps on July 25, 1958 and retired after 20 years in November 8, 1978 at Oceanside, California.
Gary was raised by his father, Charles Robert Bisplinghoff and step mother Margarite Brown- Bisplinghoff. His father was a Pearl Harbor survivor; of the Navy.
In 1958 July 25, Gary enlisted into the United States Marine Corps in San Diego, California. He attended boot camp and went overseas to Okinawa as Private 1st Class (1 stripe), to the 7th Marines Charlie company. He completed Batalions Marines at 1/7 GED High School Degree G.C.T. Government test and passed with flying colors with 1st test. Based upon test score, that opened the door for Gary. During Grade 113 on test to go overseas as: Lance Corporal (2 stripes), Gary went to “C.O.” Commanding Officer at Charlie 1/7, Gary was the appointed driver for Captain Castagna (Captain “C”), he put in orders for Gary from selection to Avionics; (which Gary recd’ later 1st in class.) No opening at first, so Gary was a Legal Clerk Transcriber in Oceanside, Califorinia Military Base-Camp Pendelton, typing legal info. Boot camp drill instructor orders from Camp Pendleton to transfer to Memphis, Tennessee for Air-wing.

Gary married in 1960 and was stationed and promoted in Tustin, California (Santa Ana area), he attended school for 2 years as E-4 at Tustin Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS), and did part-time fun work at Fishing Factory Inspection of Rods and Materials. Gary was in Memphis, Tennessee for 3 months after his daughter was born.
Gary transferred with orders to Vietnam, while there he met Glen Turley later to be a lifelong friend. Gary was E4 Coporal in New River North California. He then decided to go to factory school helicopter 53, Bridgeport Connecticut for 1 year and 5 days-24/7, to New River, North Carolina (400 mile trek with carpool.)

Gary graduated first in class on May 1966 from Squadron 361, New River-North Carolina Marine Corps Air Station. While he applied for pilot his commanding officer said to him not to worry as he was not selected to staff sergeant. He was then ordered to Vietnam and not promoted to staff sergeant to Gunnery sergeant and was discharged from Marine Corps-commissioned Gary to Warrant officer, replacing his friend, Glen Turley. Bill Keller throwing Gary’s clothing into the street. Lt. Colonel Pried stated to Gary, you meritoriously warrant officer I. Commissioned in the Marine Corps as Warrant I, then commissioned to 2nd Lieutenant from Warrant officer I.

All in the same day, he was transferred from 361 Squadron. Gary said to his Colonel (Tull Byrd Colonel)- “If I can’t command the Troops that I know; and gain their respects” I should remain enlisted.” (Tull Byrd Colonel)- stated he couldn’t –can’t make that decision. The wing- Full Byrd Colonel stated that he never heard of this happening. He (the Colonel), had to go to his boss and it was approved. Gary stayed 2nd Lutenant with the same squadron-didn’t go to another squadron. Major Bamcroft would walk by Gary and say :” What rank are you today?” Gary came in 1st in class A-School and B-School in Connecticut Factory School. He had orders to Vietnam in 1969 in New River, North Carolina, in officer housing as 1st Lietenant. He was also ordered during the walk on the moon, Gary was in Squadron 461 as maintenance officer detachment in Vietnam. Gary took helicopters out of Vietnam operation Eagle Field to the Philippines as Officer Aircraft, to get people out of Saigon w/5 helicopters ch53’s. Gary, Dave Jones, Billy Spicer, Major Bancroft and 10 to 12 pilots enlisted. Gary was Maintenance officer and received orders from his Commanding officer, was asked where did Gary want to go?
Hawaii of 1972 and was stationed in Operations Maintenance Supply (SOMS). Glen Turley (friend of Gary’s) with 462 Squadron in Hawaii, Glen Turley was the Presidents Crew Chief with President Johnson on duty. Mike Layman (friend of Garys) was a Interpreter in Vietnam administration. Mike and Gary served together before Hawaii. From 1972 to 1976 Gary was in Hawaii in SOMS Squadron stationed in Navy Base SOMS.

Marine Corps Air Station- Kanenoi Hawaii (U.S.M. C. Aeronautical Engineer Under #6002. His other father he considered to be his Uncle Dyer Jack Bisplinghoff- a former retired Navy Commercial Driver he wanted Gary after retirement to assist in creating a 2nd Diving school at a port in Hawaii to do deep sea schooling for other future divers. Divers Institute of Technology. Gary received his orders from the United States Marine Corps to Camp Pendleton, California with promotion to Captain.
Gary got remarried, to Marilyn Elaine Veale-Davis Bisplinghoff and they were married on December 9, 1978. Gary went to work immediately after 1976 for his father Charles’s business K.B. Enterprises Inc. His dad was a Real Estate developer. Gary studied construction management in Hawaii. KB Enterprises Inc. (Kuebler & Bisplinghoff), Gary’s first project concrete tilt up of over around 38,000 sq. ft. Later on a concrete tilt up building for auto park- San Diego, California. Gary’s father developed Alzheimer’s.
Gary opened Big Olaf Ice Cream Shoppe with his friend Geno Cloe in Newport Beach, California. Sold business. His wife, licensed in manufactured housing for the California Department of Housing they opened a trucking business after obtaining her Commercial license with the California Department of Housing. Gary became a California truck driver and received his General Contractor’s license to transport and to do installations of commercial Manufactured Structures and Homes. Their company name was JAG Enterprises Inc. (accomplished over 1800 buildings). From 1981- 1999 and part of 2000, JAG Enterprises, California were involved in post offices for Health and Safety renovations. Gary obtained company MGB Enterprises Inc. He did many bid proposals and consulting to various Hospital ad School Superintendents. Mobile and Modular building projects performed. Gary did contracting for over 18 years, along with Marilyn licensed in Commercial residential for over 35 years.
Gary and Marilyn retired from their California historical home of which they resided in for 28 years. Many years of business, yet more importantly the many years of raising their 5 grandchildren and enjoying other’s in family and friends with holidays and barbecuing in their backyard in the oldest home of San Marcos, California. Retiring and relocating to the Gulf of Mexico- Texas from referral and visits to their friends.

Gary loved boating, fishing with friends and family. Enjoying the local eateries, Island living and Jeep 4X4ing on the wet shore lines. He took in Sunrises and Sunsets every chance he could. After Covid year he became ill test 4 times for Covid and all tests were negative. Upon September 2020 was diagnosed with a rare lung disease.

As he passed away, in the presence of his oldest Grandson.

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