Gary Lee Scoggins
February 23, 1954 – July 5, 2025

Gary Lee Scoggins passed away on July 5, 2025, in Omaha, Nebraska, at the age of 71. He was born in Tucson, Arizona, on February 23, 1954.
Gary's superpower was curiosity—always armed with a quick joke, an obscure fact, or a thoughtful lesson. His wit and humor made him unforgettable in every classroom and conversation.
As a child of the Air Force, Gary's early years took him across the country. He lived in California and Texas before settling in Nebraska, where he graduated from Bellevue High School in 1972. From a young age, he knew he wanted to be a pilot. He fulfilled that dream when he earned an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, graduating in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science degree.
During his years at the Academy, Gary met the love of his life, Mary Ellen Conway. They were married at the Air Force Academy chapel at the end of his time there and began building a life together that would span decades and continents.
Gary served proudly in the United States Air Force for 20 years, flying both the E-3 AWACS and the KC-46 Pegasus aerial refueling tanker. His career included assignments at Laughlin AFB,
McConnell AFB, Tinker AFB, Beale AFB, Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, and Keflavik Air Station in Iceland. He also served in Operation Desert Storm and retired with the rank of Major. Throughout his military career, he and Mary built a family rooted in love, resilience, and shared adventure.
Following his retirement from the Air Force, Gary earned a master's degree in education from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and began a second chapter as an educator. He shared his love of learning with students at Emerson Edison Middle
School—where he taught both science and math—and later at Mitchell High School.
Gary loved games and puzzles—especially poker, spades, and sudoku. In his spare time, you could find him solving Sudoku, playing cards with family and friends, or watching documentaries and researching current events.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Scoggins, in December 2022, and his oldest daughter, Kelly, in June 2026. He is survived by his devoted dog Maggie, daughter Katie
Harlan, and son Christopher Scoggins. He will also be dearly missed by his grandchildren Kaleb Ranck, Emma Wambsgans, Jillian O'Dell, and Ethan Scoggins, as well as his sister, Connie Lepak.

A memorial service will be held at the U.S. Air Force Academy on Friday, September 26, at
10:00 a.m. Gary's ashes will be interred alongside his beloved wife, Mary, during the service.
Gary's legacy lives on in the many lives he touched—with every card dealt, every lesson taught, and every Grandad - joke shared.