Gail Edgar

Gail was born March 2, 1934 to Dr. Jean Rogers Edgar and Bertha Anna Gash Edgar in Bakersfield, CA.  He became a big brother to David Edgar at 8 1/2 years old.

 

Gail grew up in a loving and adventurous family.  They traveled in the US and abroad.  In 1946 his father purchased a 2000 acre wheat ranch in the Carizzo Plains of San Luis Obispo County. For 6 years his family flourished through challenges as well as beautiful harvests.  The ranch would remain the topic of many family stories and the place where Gail and his brother would return annually to share their part in the history of the house and land.  While living on the ranch, Gail traveled to Atascadero for high school where he stayed in a dormitory each week due to the distance from the ranch. It was there he encountered a Spanish teacher who ignited in him a love for the language. In his retired years, Gail made several trips to Mexico and South America to immerse himself in the culture and become fluent in the language.

 

After graduating from Atascadero High School in 1953, he went on to receive his Associate’s Degree from Bakersfield College before entering the US Navy in 1955.  Gail had a distinguished Navy career, flying 10 different aircraft including helicopters and fixed wing planes. He served in the Vietnam war and between deployments enjoyed duty stations in Hawaii, Alaska, Kansas, California, Florida and New Jersey. Additionally he served as a Navy flight instructor in Pensacola, FL where his T34 now hangs on display in the Naval Air Museum. While he had many aviation accomplishments to be proud of, he was deeply honored to be a part of the historic Nautilus journey. Gail was selected as the pilot who flew the Nautilus navigator over the arctic to chart the course for the world’s first undersea crossing of the North Pole. 

 

Gail retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander in 1975 and settled in Marin County, CA. Once there he began a successful second career as a realtor. He enjoyed selling homes for many years, but what he loved most were the countless lifelong friends (both clients and fellow realtors) that his work brought into his life. 

 

In 2005, after a battle with liver cancer, Gail received the lifesaving gift of a liver transplant. He lived with immense gratitude to his donor family for granting him nearly 20 additional years of great health. 

 

Gail had a love for the things of yesteryear including cars, planes, and memorabilia from his childhood.  He collected vintage fans and china and enjoyed car shows as well as air shows. 

 

Gail never married, but he was loved by his family and his close-knit circle of friends who felt like family.  Gail was predeceased by his father, Jean and his mother, Bertha.

Gail is survived by his brother, David Edgar (Angi), niece, Kristen Ferrante (Paul), great niece, Melieka, great nephew, Bryce, niece Kerrin Tomek (Alex), great nephew Nathanael, great niece, Camille, and a beautiful group of friends. 

 

A Celebration of Life will be scheduled to take place in Novato, CA in January 2024. Date and time are yet to be determined.