David Niebes

I am in shock. 26 years ago! In our transient world, as we move around we lose track of even life & death news by year's of our classmates. Thank you for your service, First Sgt and rest in peace Gary. 

April Stidam (Tudor (Daughter Of Gary Stidam))

Thank you all so much for the precious words about my dad. It brings so much comfort to my family to hear stories and memories about him that we can share with my sons. I want them to know him. Thank you all so much, this all means so much! 

Jeff Taylor

Gary and I were in a few classes together. Realy nice guy.

April Stidam (Tudor (Daughter Of Gary Stidam))

April Stidam (Tudor (Daughter Of Gary Stidam))

April Stidam (Tudor (Daughter Of Gary Stidam))

April Stidam (Tudor (Daughter Of Gary Stidam))

April Stidam (Tudor (Daughter Of Gary Stidam))

David Deleranko

Gary and I were in JROTC together. He was the highest ranking member of the cadet corps at the time and would invite me over to his house on the weekends to practice our ‘Patrolling” techniques in the woods near the old five points intersection. He first joined the USMC in high school which angered our military instructor who blamed me for talking him into enlisting. Gary however felt that if he didn’t join the military soon, the war in Vietnam would be over and ‘He would miss the whole thing’. He always admired General Patton and I’m sure he was thinking this when he took the oath to protect and defend the nation. He was my best friend, cohort, mentor and protector in high school and I owe much of my later success in life to his fine example of personal strength, courage and indomitable spirit that commanded the respect he earned in the cadet corps. I’m sure that I speak for many when I say we are all better for having known Gary. May he rest in the 'Honored Peace' he so richly deserves……

Charles Layton

   OK, so "Stid" was my buddy, we were in AFJROTC together both years. He was serious, alright. Right Guard position, makes the whole offense run, and he could do it. But this story is his seriously goofy side. From my foggy memory, Stid and I are in the Auditorium for some kind of practice, maybe senior play or something. It was after classes, we were in the middle of the seats. Stid's head was on a swivel, there was an AF Captain "advisor" eyeballing us, some political important, facetime conscious dude. About the third time this character looked out from behind the curtains on the left side of the stage, Stid went submarining. He slid down to the floor, crawled under the rows of folded empty seats, and popped up to recon the Captain without getting caught...over and over. Then the guy was watching me, so Stid started popping up behind me (surprise!). So this would be too easy, the Captain could watch us both again, so I started moving chairs whenever the Captain was looking for Stid the other way, and Stid would find me without getting caught looking. I can't imagine how hard Stid worked to do this, he wasn't small. Finally the Captain left for some other important photo op. We won, and had a big laugh. Stid was the best.  Chuck Layton