In Memory Of
Gary D. Atkinson
1933
2015
Gary D. Atkinson
December 17, 1933 — November 22, 2015
Col. Gary Dee Atkinson (Ret), 81, Topeka, passed away Sunday, November 22, 2015 at home from brain cancer.
He was born December 17, 1933, in Louisville, Kansas, the son of Elsmere and Maire (Huey) Atkinson. He graduated from Wamego High School in 1951. In 1955, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Kansas State University. In 1957, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M followed by a Master's Degree in Meteorology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1961. Later in 1981, he received an Associate Degree in Data Processing from Bellville Area Junior College and in 1984, he received his Master's Degree in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology.
He was a meteorologist in the United States Air Force. An expert on Tropical Meteorology, he wrote a text book on Tropical Weather Forecasting in addition to numerous technical papers. He graduated from USAF Command & Staff College and the U.S. War College. He retired at rank of Colonel in 1980.
From 1981 to 1998 Gary was employed by AT&T and Lucent Technologies in various 5ESS Switching positions.
On December 27, 1986, he married Myrna Preisner in Wamego. She survives. Other survivors include his children, John Atkinson, Nancy Schultz, and Susan Lovering; step-sons, Jimmy, Jeff, and Craig (Meredith) Preisner; 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, David.
A celebration of life will be 6:30 pm, Friday, December 4, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel. Inurnment with military honors will be 11 am, Saturday, December 5 at Wamego City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, 1320 SE 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66607 or Wamego Community Foundation 4th of July Firework Fund, P.O. Box 25, Wamego, KS 66547.
To leave a message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
He was born December 17, 1933, in Louisville, Kansas, the son of Elsmere and Maire (Huey) Atkinson. He graduated from Wamego High School in 1951. In 1955, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from Kansas State University. In 1957, he received a Bachelor's Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M followed by a Master's Degree in Meteorology from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1961. Later in 1981, he received an Associate Degree in Data Processing from Bellville Area Junior College and in 1984, he received his Master's Degree in Computer Science from Illinois Institute of Technology.
He was a meteorologist in the United States Air Force. An expert on Tropical Meteorology, he wrote a text book on Tropical Weather Forecasting in addition to numerous technical papers. He graduated from USAF Command & Staff College and the U.S. War College. He retired at rank of Colonel in 1980.
From 1981 to 1998 Gary was employed by AT&T and Lucent Technologies in various 5ESS Switching positions.
On December 27, 1986, he married Myrna Preisner in Wamego. She survives. Other survivors include his children, John Atkinson, Nancy Schultz, and Susan Lovering; step-sons, Jimmy, Jeff, and Craig (Meredith) Preisner; 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents and son, David.
A celebration of life will be 6:30 pm, Friday, December 4, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Southwest Chapel. Inurnment with military honors will be 11 am, Saturday, December 5 at Wamego City Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Salvation Army, 1320 SE 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66607 or Wamego Community Foundation 4th of July Firework Fund, P.O. Box 25, Wamego, KS 66547.
To leave a message for the family online, visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gary D. Atkinson, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Friday, December 4, 2015
Starts at 6:30 pm (Central time)
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