“Marc”
July 21, 1959-April 2, 2023
Sylacauga, AL - Marc was born on July 21, 1959, in Tallassee, AL. He is preceded in death by his father, Henry Lee Gann and mother, Betty Yvonne Jenkins Gann. He is survived in death by his brother Billy Jo Gann, Opelika, AL. Marc made his final flight in Chelsea Alabama on April 2, 2023.
Marc never doubted that he had a love for his country and at the age of seventeen he enlisted in the Army with dreams of becoming a paratrooper and Army Ranger. He did not realize at the time, but this would begin his life mission of saving lives and living by the motto “no matter how deep the pit, to see daylight, just look up.” Marc not only achieved the goals of being a paratrooper and Army Ranger, but also defended his country in Honduras, Grenada, Panama, Iraq, Iran, Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Urgent Fury, and received several commendations including one for safely landing a damaged helicopter in a treetop with no loss of life. Marc was a flight instructor at Ft Rucker the day that the twin towers fell. He was in flight with a student and looked at him and said, “today is the day that our lives change forever” Marc’s love for his country and the Army continued even after his discharge in July 2004. He continued to read books and keep up with anything and everything that had to do with the military and shared his stories for years to come.
While many knew Marc as the pilot, he was just as impressive as a husband, dad, and Pop-Pop. When his first born, Kelly Gann (Joshua) of Boyertown, PA, was born he had to wait outside. As they brought the baby with a head full of jet-black hair to him, he instantly thought “that is a lot of hair that I am going to have to learn how to fix.” Kelly and Marc through the years developed their love for fishing and outdoors and were able to experience the love of nature.
When Marc’s son, Marcus Craig Gann, JR of Pottstown, PA was to become a father himself, Marc spent the evening sitting in a hotel room with him giving his best fatherly advice. Marc proudly coached every softball game of his youngest daughter, Holly Gann of Gainesville, GA. and never missed an opportunity to love on his 5 grandchildren (Paige Jones, Anthony (AJ) Grimm, Elias Gann, Jason Grimm, Nathaniel Gann) and Godchildren (3).
On Sept 4th, 2007, Marc met the love of his life, his wife, Brenda Pope Gann, of Sedalia, MO and they were married on June 16th, 2012. Marc and Brenda have two rescue horses named, Journey and Benji and two beloved pets, Bonnie and Clyde and made their home in Sylacauga, AL. Marc and Brenda dedicated their lives to serving their community and making a difference in people’s lives. Marc began flying with Life Saver in February of 2006 and helped opened the Life Saver 4 base in Sylacauga in September of 2008. He served as Assistant Chief and Chief for County Line and Oak Grove Fire Departments and could often be seen on the side of the highway with a fireman’s boot collecting money for the volunteer fire departments during the boot drive.
He was more than just a pilot, firefighter, and soldier. He was a best friend; a beloved husband and father and was what everyone should strive to be.
Family and Friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life gathering on Wednesday, April 12th, 2023 @ 1:00 pm at Sylacauga Municipal Airport. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. till 12:00 p.m. at Radney-Smith Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be Derick Robinson, Kody Harrison, Mike Cathers, Jared Pierce, Lee Hamilton and Keith Marshall. Honorary pallbearers will be Rick Machen, Dustin Osborne and Billy Gann.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Gann family.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family at www.dignitymemorial.com/funeral-homes/sylacauga-al/radney-smith-funeral-home/8516.
Radney-Smith Funeral Home in Sylacauga, AL will direct the services.
