Gerald "Gary" Goldsberry
November 7, 1944 ~ July 24, 2020
Gerald "Gary" Goldsberry
75, of Mooresville, passed away on July 24, 2020. He was born on November 7, 1944 in Lebanon, Indiana, son of Everett Goldsberry.
He was retired from the sign making business, having owned Visual Sign Company in Indianapolis for over three decades. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy.
He was a flight instructor and an advocate for rotorcraft. He was an active member and Past President of the Popular Rotorcraft Association. He hated cats...
He is survived by his loving wife Sue Goldsberry; daughters Lynn Goldsberry, Shelly Romero; Sue's children, Janie Baschwit, Brent Alexander, Mike Alexander, Joe Alexander; several grandchildren and great grandchildren and former business partner Kay Goldsberry.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 30th from 12pm until 6pm with services beginning at 6pm at Carlisle Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville.
Please visit www.carlislebranson.com to sign the online guestbook or to share a memory.
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Sue, we are absolutely heart broken. So many great memories of Gary teaching me to fly. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. Janet and Randy Workman
Taught me how to fly & even sold me my first heli. What a great pilot, instructor & man! The 1st time in my life that I bought something used where the seller was a 100% (no surprises) honest! We will miss you Gary! God Bless, Mark Works
Sue, my heart is heavy and I wish I could be there to hold and support you. Know you are in my thoughts. Sending love … lots of love. Live Free …
I grew up spending weekends at the Putnam county airport with my dad. I have known Gary most of my life from seeing him at the airport and fly-ins. I have ridden in one helicopter and it was with Gary. I remember his brown camper van and hanging out in it while the guys had their club meetings. His daughter shelly took my brother and I to an amusement park in Florida while the guys hung at the fly-in. Memories that I will never forget. I remember him as a nice man and a wonderful pilot, one whom was trusted by many. I also remember Sue and her kindness. She always wore a camera around her neck. Love and prayers to Sue and the rest of his family and friends. Sincerely, Emily Fields.
I only met Gary a couple of times when visiting the US with a flying buddy – Gary was great (and very helpful) guy and generous with his beers! A very sad day. My thoughts are with you Sue. Lee (in New Zealand)
Sue very sorry to hear, had 3 wonderful trips to Mooresville and met you and Gary, flew with Gary in the Brantley in 2016 and 2017 ,he was a superb instructor from Brett Cooper South Island New Zealand
I met Gary and Sue about a year ago when I had an interest in learning to fly gyros. Since then, Gary has been my mentor, my flight instructor and a dear friend. His enthusiasm for anything with rotors was know around the world. Anyone with a question about Brantlys or gyroplanes would call Gary for his expertise. Gary was on the ground floor of the start of the Gyroplane evolution and his name and knowledge were known throughout the gyro world. I am honored to have his name and signature in my pilot logbook and to have him as the one to have taught me how to fly gyros. Gary, may the rotors of your life continue to spin on your flight to Heaven. Thank you Sue and family for sharing such a wonderful person will us all. Clark Bohbrink
Very sorry for loss Gary will always in out hearts Scott and Sherry lewis
Sue….So sorry to hear your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you. My first Mentone was 2002 and I never will forget meeting Gary. He was pulling his Bensen out of the trailer, and there was the best wife at his side polishing his gyro. What a marriage made in heaven! Over my next 12 years going to Mentone, the more I talked to Gary, the more he impressed me. What a GIANT of a man. You just know and feel real integrity when you are around it. Gary was so helpful giving me much needed advice about my gyros and helicopter.
A few years back it was Gary who performed the first condition inspection on my newly acquired gyro. Always a man of few words, he worked quietly mentioning only enough facts to pique my interest and make me want to do the research. Many months later he flew my check ride. His comment after the first landing, “* – – -, you know how to fly this thing. We’re done.” A good mechanic, a good pilot, a good friend. We shared time together, and I am honored.
Sue, Kay, Lynn & Family, Shelly & Family, We are so sorry for your loss and our prayers are with your family.
Sue, I am so sorry about Gary. I will always remember my flight with him in his Twinstarr, and chatting with him at Mentone each year. You & your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Steve Craft
I am so sorry for your loss, memories of our childhood, though many years ago, are those of fun times together. I’m sad that we drifted apart, but family is always in our hearts. Sue Ann Goldsberry Colburn (Harvey’s daughter)
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Sorry for your loss. We are all thinking of you and your family. Our prayers are with you.
Gary and I enjoyed crossing paths at Bensen Days and Mentone, kind of like 2 people who still flew the basic Bensens. So very sorry to learn of his death, whereas everyone would look forward to many more years of friendship and advice. Bill Wieger, one of Louisianans
An honorable man who was also a tremendous supporter of the PRA and Mentone … including time , talent , and financial … and never requested recognition … a true “giver” to people and aviation … kindest thoughts to the family.
I met Gary when attending my first Mentone in 1999. I was talking to Connie Boyette when she introduced me to Gary. Even through I was just an attendee, he talked with me for 15 min and he was very busy. I thought what a nice down to earth person. In the next few years, I came to know Gary and Sue and I realized they were the nicest people I could have met. We have lost a great person. The gyro gatherings will not be the same, but they will bring good memories of flying and friendship. Sue lean on your friends and family to help you through. You have my deepest sympathy Brian Hebden
Sue and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. And the loss of a good neighbor. We always enjoyed seeing Mr. Goldsberry flying over. Goldsberry Family We appreciate Gary’s Service To Our Country. Long Farms And Family. Monrovia
Sue, I’m so sorry about Gary. Dale and I always thought the world of him. He was interesting and very kind to us each time we saw him, whether at family reunions or the Wauchula fly-ins. You have our deepest sympathy. Love you, Debbie and Dale
A piece of me went with you. Rest in peace dear friend.
With deepest sympathy,
Things will never be the same without you. We were changed by your presence. Thanks for everything my friend. Godspeed
I witnessed Gary complete a sign installation in the heat of the summer and within minutes change his shirt and make a sales appointment. He was hard working and a fair business man. My condolences, John Madden, past president Crystal Flash Petroleum
Lynn, I’m so sorry for your lost. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. Nancy
Sue, Larry and I were so sorry to hear about this but we want you to know we are thinking of you and praying for comfort and peace. We always enjoyed living across the street and being your neighbors. THE COOKS LARRY AND MELANIE
Gary was a great man. He was a highly competent pilot and flight instructor. I flew with Gary several years ago and I was always impressed with his skill. He will be forever remembered for his kindness and generosity. My heartfelt condolences to the Goldberry family. You are in my thoughts an prayer. Henry Vinson, JD Commercial Pilot Rotorcraft CFI
Sue, We are stunned and devastated to hear about Gary. You guys were the “driving force” for the PRA conventions. I will never forget you guys making a special meal for Kris and me at the convention when you learned that we had not eaten. I will also never forget Gary jumping in and saving my butt when they grounded me from flying during the vendors demo. (Ernie Boyette and I had gotten too rowdy in our earlier flight duel to suit the safety guy!) I have nothing but total respect for Gary as a pilot, instructor, builder, PRA President and for both of you as good, decent people. Love from Ron and Kris Herron
Dear Sue, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Love, in Christ
Gary was a good man, a good helicopter instructor, and a good friend. Rest in peace. Roger Beard N6798D
Sue, your golf buddies are sorry for your loss. We welcome you back to play as soon as you feel comfortable. Meanwhile we will be thinking about you and your family. Kevin also sends you his condolences.
Sue I am so sorry to hear of your lost. Prayers go out to you & your family. I have alot of memories traveling to Greencastle to see you & Gary while training & all the conventions. Gary was a very respected man & will be missed! RIP Gary!
Alejandro “Ali” and Marianella Torres How can a person say so much with out speaking? How can a person unified a mix group with an attitude? How can he capture the audience so intense that even the young ones wanted to hear what he had to say? Some think Gary was a shy person taken within him self; nothing more distance from the truth, he spoke what necessary for he absorbed from all by lessening and his sole presence dictated the mood of the moment. Fortunate are does that where touch by his strong and warm hand shake follow with Eagle look that left no rock un turn. We will rejoined at the next landing sight and that time will be for ever Amigo. Hasta la vista Gary !!!!
He thought the world of you, Glenn. I hope you’re well- Shelly