Gary Ralph Atnip was born to Ralph & Mildred Atnip on December 20, 1943 in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington where his father farmed. Gary & his younger brother Jerry A. Atnip attended Payette, Idaho schools. Gary graduated from Payette High School in 1962. After graduating, Gary Atnip & his classmate Joseph Pierce went to Bremerton, Washington to enter an apprenticeship program at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. It was a U. S. Government Civil Service employment, taking four years to become a journeyman.

Gary Atnip served in the U. S. Navy Seabees, as part of Naval Mobile Construction Batallions #18 and #062. He served mainly stateside, including Ft. Wayne, California. Battalion #062 was based in Gulfport, Mississippi, and they spent time in the British Isles. Gary was a Copper Smith by trade. The photo we have on the left side of Gary's memorial is from a 1968 U.S. Navy Support Book.

Gary Atnip, at age 29, married Lois Marie Burger on June 2, 1973 at Gig Harbor, Washington. Gary and Lois were divorced March 9, 1992 at Kitsap County, Washington. Gary's former wife, Lois Atnip wrote:

"Gary and I married in 1973 and divorced 1990. Gary did not have children (his want). The last I saw of him was April of 1999. Gary was in the Sea Bees. He worked in the Bremerton Shipyard after serving. Gary pretty much was quiet, not shy but preferred to mind his own business. He liked the outdoors and we spent many years as Summertime Gold Prospectors, rebounding and just enjoying the outdoors. Gary had very few friends, only one from his work in the Bremerton Shipyard. He was very close to his Mom, Mildred and cared for her pretty much since his Dad died in 1979 from complications of bypass surgery. Mildred was strong yet so loving not just for her family but everyone. Gary & I grew apart, mostly of the age difference (10 yrs). I cared for him deeply and still miss him. We remained friends after divorce."

Gary Atnip's father Ralph Henry Atnip died Oct. 12, 1980 at only 69 years of age. Gary's mother Mildred N. (Long) Atnip died Mary 24, 2007, aged 94. Gary's parents are buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Bremerton, Kitsap County, Washington. Our classmate, Gary Ralph Atnip died February 28, 2013 in Kitsap County, Washington.