Gary A. Noble, proud veteran, nurse
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gary A. Noble, 69, of Townsend, passed away Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. Gary’s death was sudden, but peaceful in a serene setting at his home. Gary was born in Saginaw, Mich., and always retained that Michigan mindset!
Gary was proud of his service in the U.S. Air Force, entering as an airman in 1975 and working diligently until he achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. He began as a radiology technician and attained his master’s degree in business administration while working full time and attending college. After almost 10 years and living in many cities in the U.S., Gary left active duty and enlisted in the Air Force Reserve, where he served as the healthcare administrator of the 512th Aerospace Medicine Clinic in Dover. He retired from the USAF Reserve in 2008 and then joined the U.S. Federal Civil Service and continued to work as a healthcare administrator at the 512th Clinic, retiring in 2014 at 60. Gary respectfully served when he was called for active duty during Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He enjoyed his military work, as well as the comradery of his USAF colleagues. While in the USAF Reserve, Gary earned his associate in nursing degree and worked as a nurse manager at ChristianaCare Health System Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant Unit for many years. He had a gentle, compassionate manner with patients, and led by example with empathy and integrity.
Gary enjoyed photography from a young age and even developed his own photos. When photography turned digital, he embraced the change. Gary also loved music of almost every genre. He would be ahead of the masses, listening to artists months to years before they became popular. Gary also enjoyed listening to shortwave radio, coin collecting, and historical metal detecting, finding old coins and relics of the past. He especially enjoyed spending time tending to his 35-acre farm, surrounded by his animals and pets, and visiting with his daughter, son-in-law, and grandsons.
Gary was preceded in death by his father, Walter Noble; and his mother, Delores Noble (McCready). Gary is survived by his former wife of 51 years, Cheryl Perry-Noble; his daughter, Marcy Jack (Michael) of Lewes; his brother, Paul Noble (Gennette) of Saginaw; and his grandsons, Ellis Jack and Hugh Jack of Lewes. Also surviving is Gary’s brother-in-law, Glenn Perry of Townsend, whose care and support permitted Gary to remain as independent as possible while he lived with dementia during the last years of his life. Gary is leaving behind his beloved dogs and cats, Danny, Jack, Mercedes, Emma and Bella.
A visitation will be held from 2 to 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, at Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes. Interment will be private.
Visit Gary’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
