Gary Woodrow Moss, born 20 February 1944, Terrell, Kaufman County, Texas. 

Baptized into Christ at an early age.

In 1979, after reading Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, Gary said, “This is most certainly true.” And after catecheses, became a confessional, liturgical Lutheran.

 

Gary was a retired U.S. Navy Master Chief. He, also, retired as a Florida teacher, after 19 years as a High School, Navy Junior ROTC Instructor. He was a proud Texas citizen.

 

Gary served as an Elder and a member of the Altar Guild in Immanuel Lutheran Church (LCMS), Pensacola, Florida.

 

He served as Secretary and Director of USS Alamo Assoc., a non-profit veterans group (Alamo was his first ship and home for four and a half years).

 

He joined the Navy on his 17th birthday (21 February 1961) to see the world. And he did. He served in Vietnam 1968-1971 as a PBR (river patrol boat) Boat Captain. Married Yasuko Kajimoto Moss, 25 April 1973, at the U.S. Consulate, Yokohoma, Japan. He retired 1 June 1980, as a Master Chief Petty Officer. He also served USNTC Security Dept. San Diego, California. USS Alamo, USS Waccamaw, USS England, U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Ship Repair Facility, Yokosuka, Japan, Comdesron 15 staff, Yokosuka, Japan.

 

Among his military decorations were the Bronze Star Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with bronze star in lieu of 2nd award), and Navy Achievement Medal, all with Combat V devices. And the Combat Action Ribbon. He, also, wore the PBR Boat Captain badge.

 

Also, 19 years as a Naval Science Instructor in Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Orange, Texas and Pine Forest High School, Pensacola, Florida.

 

Gary was a Life Member of the National Rifle Association, Fleet Reserve Association, Disabled American Veterans, and Gamewardens of Vietnam Association (Gamewardens was the Task Force name for Task Force 116-riverine units).

 

Gary entered into Eternal Life with his Lord, 5 February 2019.

Visitation and funeral were at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Pensacola, Florida, and burial at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, Florida.