Gary Wyatt Hentze passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Arlington, Texas.

Gary Wyatt Hentze

Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday, March 15, at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.

Gary was born on July 11, 1931, in Bellevue, Ohio, to Johnnie S. Hentze and Virginia B. Wyatt. Gary graduated from Jackson Township Commissioned High School in Roanoke, Ind., in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1954 and a Master of Arts in Education in 1961 from Ball State Teachers College. His first career was in education, teaching math and coaching basketball at Kuhner Junior High in Muncie, Ind., and in high school in Farmland and Winchester, Ind.

He served in the U.S. Air Force and Reserve and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He joined American Airlines in 1966 and flew the Boeing 707, 727 and MD-80 domestically. He was an avid runner for many years and used his runs to explore the cities he traveled to on layovers. He retired as a DFW-based American Airlines captain in 1991.

On Oct. 24, 1985, he married Sally Jo White Grim, who survives.

Gary lived life to the fullest and his laughter was contagious. In retirement he filled his days with woodworking and fixing things. He was a lifelong fan of Hoosier basketball and a dog lover. His calendar was busy attending the games and tournaments of his grandsons. He was affectionately known as the unofficial Mayor of Woodland West. Gary loved visiting with the neighbors on his walks, and he knew no strangers.

He summered in Syracuse, Ind., and quickly found ways to connect locally by serving as a Kosciusko County Sherriff’s Department Lake Patrol reserve deputy patrolling the lakes. Gary’s garage was always open and was a gathering place for neighbors and friends. He enjoyed taking the grandchildren out tubing, skiing and even on lake patrol rides. Summers meant Indiana sweet corn, fireworks on the lake and enjoying plenty of sunsets on the back porch.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Virginia Hentze; brother-in-law, Joe Etter; and daughter-in-law, Lorna Hentze.

He is survived by his wife, Sally; sister, Jackie Etter Paul; and eight children, Karla Kae Crawford, John Paul Hentze, Robert Scott Hentze, Elizabeth (Beth) Anne Hentze Owens and son-in-law Dr. Joe Allen Owens, Joseph Michael Hentze, Monty Ray Grim, Andrew Joseph Grim and daughter-in-law Beverly Grim, Jill Ann Banister and son-in-law Graham Banister. Grandchildren include Morgan Blades, Travis Hentze, Pierce Hentze, Kaylynn Hentze, Grant Owens, Jake Hentze, John Hentze, Constantine Grim, Nicolas Grim, Alexander Grim, Olivia Grim, Jack Grim and seven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the charity of your choice.

Wade Funeral Home & Crematory, Arlington, Texas, handled arrangements.