Gary Churchill, 64

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Gary Charles Churchill, 64, of New Richland died on Saturday, July 17, 2010, at the V.A. Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Born in Waseca on June 16, 1946, Gary was the son of Charles and Jean (Wood) Churchill. He graduated from Waseca High School before serving in the United States Air Force. He was enlisted from 1965 until 1969, the last year spent in Vietnam. He was married to Trina Gaines in Geneva on Aug. 26, 1978. They later divorced. Gary began his professional flying career in 1970. From 1980 until 1985 he was employed with Rushmore Helicopters in Keystone, S.D., giving aerial tours around the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore. During that time, he also earned degrees in aviation maintenance technology and general business from Sacramento City College, Calif., in 1983. In the early 1990’s he operated a helicopter ride business called Whirlybirds U.S.A. giving helicopter rides at different locations throughout the country. He also worked several years in his brother’s business, Scott’s Helicopters, primarily from 1995 until retiring in 2007. Gary loved watching NASCAR racing, his dogs, and he was very involved with local amateur baseball. He began as an assistant coach with the Le Sueur Braves and in 2001 he brought amateur baseball back to New Richland after almost a decade of not having a team. He was actively involved with the Highway 13/60 League in which the New Richland Reds play. He was a member of Community Lutheran Church in Geneva, the New Richland American Legion, and the N.R.A.
Gary is survived by two sons: Jason Churchill of Fargo, N.D., and Josh Churchill of Millsboro, Del.; his mother, Jean Churchill of Waseca; two grandchildren: Jackson Churchill-Cox and Camryn Churchill; and three brothers: Dale Churchill of Bloomington, Scott (Diane) Churchill of Jordan, and Randy (Camille) Churchill of Renton, Wash. He was preceded in death by his father and his daughter, Elizabeth Marie.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca, and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday at Kinder-Dennis Home for Funerals in Waseca, with Rev. Chris Meirose officiating. Interment will take place at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.dennisfuneralhomes.com.