Lt. Col. Garry Andrew “Duds” Dudley slipped comfortably from this life and was welcomed into heaven on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025. Garry was born May 15, 1949, in Long Beach, California, to Robert and Joann Dudley.
Garry, along with his brother Bobbie and sister Robin, grew up in Fallon, Nevada, where he graduated from Churchill County High School in 1967. After graduating, he attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. After graduating from BYU in 1971, he received a commission into the U.S. Air Force as a second lieutenant and married Carol Boyce before moving to Reese Air Force Base to begin flight training.
He honorably served as a Wild Weasel F-4E/G fighter pilot and went wherever Uncle Sam called him. During his military service, his daughters, Samantha and Stephanie, and his son Sean, were added to the family as well as MANY brothers who flew with him. This was a life full of adventure.
Garry was a natural-born teacher, and after retirement he entered the education sector. He taught in high schools and served in administration but truly enjoyed being an elementary school principal. During his time as principal of Brown Elementary in Turlock, California, he met Sandi Young, another principal; they were married in July 2007. But his true calling was as a flight instructor sharing his love of aviation.
Family meant everything to Garry, and sharing DNA was never a requirement. From the first time meeting, you were now family and invited to seize life by the horns. He was never short on sage advice, fighter pilot wisdom, or impactful lectures.
Garry is survived by his wife Sandi; his children Samantha (Eric) Burgin, Stephanie (Nick) Willingham and Sean (Jessica) Dudley, and their mother, Carol; his bonus children Kelly (Gilbert) Almeida, Scott (Elyssa) McCoy and Rob (Brandi) Young; his bounty of grandchildren: Christopher, Scott (Brooke), Jeffrey (Sally), Craig (Alicia), Noah (Tasha), Nathan, Tyler, Grant (Claire), Alexis (Mason), Grace (Jacob), Brooke, Chloie, Grady, Abi, Alison, Bobby, Evan, Myka, Kylie, Andrew and Thomas; his great-grandchildren: Addison, Weston, Felix and Conrad; his brother Tad Dickerson and sisters Cindy Sullivan and Karen Holcher; and many, many others who have been added in his heart. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert and Joann; his sister Robin; and his sons, Robert and Mark.
Garry will be interred at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery on Dec. 30, 2025, at 1 p.m.
Garry loved his family, and all who knew him knew this about him. Garry loved to fly, and all who knew him knew this about him too. We, his family, had him for a while, and now the heavens have him forever. Until we meet again … “May the departed aviator find eternal skies beyond all turbulence, where machines never fail and horizons stretch forever” (Air Commodore Pervez Akhtar Khan).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Garry’s “home away from home,” the Turlock Municipal Airport. Donations in Garry’s name can be made to the Turlock Regional Aviation Association (TRAA) at P.O. Box 556, Denair, CA 95316, or contact [email protected]
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