Gary Dooley

Lt. Col. Gary Wayne Dooley, 84, passed away at his home in Panama City, Florida, on Friday, November 14th, shortly after sunset. He was surrounded by his loving family in his final days. Gary was born in Hatfield, Indiana, in 1941, and due to his military service, he had the opportunity to live in many places both overseas and throughout the United States. He graduated from Memorial High School and the University of Evansville.

Gary was a sports fanatic to say the least. As far as he was concerned, it was Notre Dame Football, Hoosier Basketball, and the New York Yankees against the world. His dream job was to be a sports analyst, and if you knew him at all, you know that nothing would have suited him better-especially if it had been for the Fighting Irish. However, with the start of the Vietnam War, these dreams came to a screeching halt. In 1966, a friend on the Draft Board tipped Gary off that he was going to be drafted into the Army. Knowing there was no greater honor than serving his country, he went straight to the recruiting office and enlisted in the United States Air Force without hesitation.

Those who know Gary recognize that he was an extremely accomplished man. He traveled to places and experienced things that most young men in his hometown could only dream of. Among his many achievements were being the first in his family to earn a college degree and attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force. While these accomplishments required great grit and determination, one of his greatest gifts came naturally-the ability to leave an everlasting positive impact on every person he met. Gary never spoke often, but when he did, everyone knew it was "his way or the highway."

Yet even these accomplishments did not compare to the pride and fulfillment he felt in being Dee's husband, Michele's father, Stephanie and Ryan's grandfather, and Grayson's great-grandfather. He was blessed with cherished relationships among extended family, friends, and wonderful neighbors. The only thing that could top all of that was when the Hoosiers beat the Wildcats in basketball-and he could call Brenda to brag about it.

Gary is survived and deeply missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Deloris Dooley (Berry); daughter Michele Wilches-Loftus; adopted daughter Kim Nolen; adopted son Marvin Wetter; granddaughter Stephanie Wilches; grandson Ryan Loftus and his wife Allisyn Loftus; and great-grandson Grayson Wayne Loftus. His extended family includes his sisters and their husbands, Linda Cameron (Dooley) and Carole Pokorney (Dooley); nephew Bryan Pokorney and family; and the Berry family he was fortunate enough to marry into. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Roy Basil Dooley, Jr., and Helen Marie Dooley (Wigand).

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Tomblinson Funeral Home in Henderson, with burial to follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time at the funeral home on Wednesday.

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