Gary Edward Nagorka

Gary Edward Nagorka, born September 14, 1945, in Westfield, MA, died January 30, 2016, in Biloxi, MS. He was the son of Edward John Nagorka and Adella Rose Matula Nagorka. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Georgia Elizabeth DuBose Nagorka, son Matthew Brandon Nagorka, daughter Tesia Rose Nagorka, grandson Rowen Daniel DuBose Smith, all presently of MS, and sister Linda Jean Nagorka Young, of MI.
After growing up in Detroit, MI, Gary served two tours in the US Navy during the Vietnam War as an air crewman (AW3) and anti-submarine operator on the USS Hornet. After his military service, Gary traveled extensively on the back of his Triumph motorcycle, before becoming a Washoe County Deputy Sheriff in Reno, NV, where he also served as a first responder and volunteered with Search and Rescue.
During this time, he met the love of his life, Georgia. After they married, Gary finished flight school in Tulsa, OK before finally migrating to the MS Gulf Coast to start and raise their family.
On the coast, Gary worked in the oil and gas field where he was a Productions Tech., First Responder, Safety and Government Compliance Officer, and Fire School Instructor, among many titles, while also serving seven years part time at the Harrison County Sheriff's Department in MS. After many years, he finally retired from work to enjoy being with his wife and family full time.
Gary was an active member of the Elk's Club for 40 years and a recent member of Church of the King, in Biloxi, MS. He had a zest for life and laughter. Among many things, he loved to fly, travel, swim and scuba dive, spent many happy hours with his son's scout troop, had a strong interest in history and reading, volunteered in the community, and was well known for his talents in writing and story-telling.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 5, 2016, at 1:30pm at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 274 Beauvoir Road in Biloxi, where friends may visit one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at Biloxi National Cemetery.