Gary Alan Schroeder

Gary Alan Schroeder, 50, passed away unexpectedly Friday, January 14, 2011. Gary was born in Goldsboro, NC on June 26, 1960. He moved to Hampton, VA in 1973. Gary earned the rank of Eagle Scout and went on to graduate from Bethel High School in 1978 and then went on to pursue his lifetime dream of becoming an airline pilot. He attended and graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in 1982, where he was a Sigma Chi. Early in his career he flew Sky Angel Karen, taught students to fly and was a corporate pilot for Noland Corporation before retiring from his career with Delta Airlines as a First Officer. Gary enjoyed traveling and visited a large portion of the world. He pursued many hobbies and was most passionate about helping and spending time with his family and friends. He is preceded in rest by his father, Gerhardt Schroeder. Gary is survived by his mother, Lois Schroeder; sisters, Vicki Weakley and husband Reverend Bart Weakley, and Donna Lawing and husband Mike Lawing; brother Douglas Schroeder, "adopted" brother Shannon Pettit; five nephews and nieces and one great niece. He will be sadly missed by all his family, friends and special companion, Penny. Friends are invited to visit Monday, Jan. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A Celebration of Gary’s life will be Tuesday, Jan. 18 at 11 a.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church, 118 Old York Hampton Hwy. in Yorktown. Private interment will be at a later date.