Gary L. Howze

Gary Lauchlin "Top" Howze, 82, of Port St. Joe, Florida, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 24, 2022. On March 24, 1940, he was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, to the late Boyd Woodrow Howze and May Brocota Howze. Gary was a graduate of the 1958 Class of Chapman High School in Apalachicola. While in high school, Gary claimed he was 18 in order to join the Florida National Guard, where he served from 1956 to 1961. Top attended the University of Florida on an academic scholarship before joining the United States Marine Corp (Semper Fi) in 1961. After becoming a United States Marine at Paris Island, he proudly served his country as a Cryptologist; including two tours in Danang, Vietnam, with the 3rd Marine Division. His service included tours at the Pentagon, National Security Agency, Scotland, Hawaii, Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Camp Lejeune MCB, Japan, and Central America. In 1986, Top was recognized as the Outstanding Marine Cryptologist and inducted into the "On-the-Roof" Gang. He retired after twenty-eight years, holding the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) as the NCOIC of the joint service U.S. Naval Security Station Cryptologic School in Pensacola. Gary earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Maryland (Cum Laude). After retiring in 1989, he and Nancy moved to Port St. Joe, where he taught NJROTC for thirteen years at Port St. Joe High School. Gary was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Port St. Joe. He loved his family and friends, our country and the Marine Corps, Port St. Joe High School, the Florida Gators, and golfing. Gary was preceded in death by his parents, twin sister Gail Howze, and one grandson Matthew Howze. Gary is survived by his loving wife of fifty-six years Nancy Welch Howze, two children Gary Lauchlin Howze II and Donna Suzan Thompson with her husband George, one brother Sandy Howze with his wife Edna, and three grandchildren Blaine Howze, Sarah Beth Thompson, and Kara Thompson. Graveside services with full military honors will occur on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 4:00 P.M. Eastern Time under the pavilion at Holly Hill Cemetery in Port St. Joe, Florida, with Rev. Mac Fulcher officiating. Honorary Pallbearers will be represented by all past and current cadets of the Port St. Joe High School NJROTC. The family will receive friends from 3:00 P.M. Eastern Time until the start of the service at graveside. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the PSJHS NJROTC. Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, FL.