Garold “Gary” Messenger was born in Cosmopolis, Washington on June 17, 1936, to Harry Garold Messenger and Marie Cook Messenger. He passed from this world on Wednesday, Aug. 24, 2022, at Pacific Care and Rehabilitation Center in Hoquiam, Washington.

Gary was a Cosmopolis boy, born and bred. He attended Cosmopolis Elementary School through the 8th grade and was a proud “Cosi Termite.” He graduated from Aberdeen Weatherwax High School in 1954. Soon thereafter he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, in which he served for three years in duty stations in Korea and Okinawa. After a brief hiatus from the military, he later joined the U. S. Air Force.

While stationed in Omaha, Nebraska, he met and married the widowed Darlene Watson Harness and her four children in 1958. During his 20 years in the Air Force, the family travelled with him to Hawaii, Idaho, the Philippine Islands, Florida, California and Texas. After the children had graduated from high school and dropped off at various locations around the country, Gary and Darlene were again stationed in the Philippines, then back to Missouri.

During his “official” duty station in the Philippines, Sgt. Messenger spent much of his time in Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia before and during the Vietnam conflict. Later, he was a part of the evacuation of Saigon. While stationed in Missouri, he served as part of an Inspector General’s team throughout Europe.

When he retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant in 1976, Gary and Darlene moved back to Cosmopolis to be near his parents. He served nearly 20 years as a letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service in Hoquiam, Washington retiring in 1998.

He loved fishing and hiking, clam digging, eating raw oysters from the shell, and many outdoor activities that living in the Pacific Northwest has to offer. His wife Darlene was his lifelong loving partner and fellow traveler from the time of their marriage in 1958 until her death in 2016.

He was predeceased by his sister Narcissus Messenger Reed. He is survived by his sister Mabel Messenger Malone of Olympia, his four children: Karen (Bill) Davison of Hoquiam, Rickie (Eric) Matteson of Westport, Peggy Messenger of Aberdeen, and Bill (Sue) Messenger of Ocean Shores, 23 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held on Sept. 7 at the Rotary Log Pavilion in Aberdeen, Washington at 4 p.m.