Obituary of Major General Wayne C. Gatlin

Major General Wayne C. Gatlin (Ret.), former commander of the Duluth Air National Guard Base, passed away peacefully in his home of 65 years on February 21, 2019, at the age of 94. Born in Duluth on August 26, 1924, Gatlin was a lifelong resident of Duluth and grew up in Duluth's West End, aspiring even then to become a pilot. He graduated from Denfeld High School in 1942, becoming an All-Conference quarterback, the 1941 Duluth Golden Gloves Boxing Champion, and a member of the Denfeld Hall of Fame.

Following graduation, Gen. Gatlin began his career in military service at age 18. He received his wings in 1944 and was assigned to the Eighth Air Force in England, where he flew P-47 and P-51 fighters. He logged in 55 combat missions there and was credited with one German ME-262 jet destroyed and one damaged. Gen. Gatlin completed his tour in WWII, briefly served in Texas, and returned to Duluth to join the Minnesota Air National Guard ("ANG") in 1950. Appointed as Commander of Duluth's 179th Fighter Squadron in 1960, he advanced to Commander of the 148th Fighter Interceptor Group and served in that position until August 7, 1978. He was promoted to Chief of Staff of the Minnesota ANG, becoming a Major General in 1980, remaining there until flying his last sortie on August 25, 1984. He was the last actively flying WWII combat pilot in the Air National Guard and had completed 42 years of service. Gen. Gatlin logged a total of 6,747 fighter hours in over a dozen different aircraft; however, the P-51 Mustang remained his favorite plane. Throughout his prestigious career, Gen. Gatlin received many awards and air medals, most notably the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, and the Distinguished Service Medal. He was elected to the Minnesota Aviation Hall of Fame in 2001.

An active member of the Duluth community, he served as a Board Chairman at St. Mary's Hospital, President of the Duluth Rotary Club, President of the Minnesota National Guard Association, and a member of the Air Defense Command Reserve Policy Board. Gen. Gatlin was well known for his images of the City of Duluth, Lake Superior, and aerial photography for the ANG.

Gatlin married the love of his life, Lucille Gronquist, on September 3, 1946, and together they raised their three children Wendy, Wayne Jr., and Betsy. Wayne and Lu were married for 66 years before she passed away in 2012.

Wayne was preceded in death by his lovely Lu, his parents Hulda and Charles, and his sisters Leone Ferguson and Eileen Fairchild. He is survived by his daughter, Wendy (Brian) Isle, son Wayne Jr. (Tammy), and daughter Betsy (Rob) Gaida; grandchildren Ian (Brittany) Isle, Rainer Isle (Bryant Kumlin), Wayne III (Amy), Sarah (fianc Ryan Sonnack), Alyssa (Jake) Anderson, Noah Gaida, and Parker Gaida; great-grandchildren Laila Lu, Lennon, and Adrienne. His beloved Shih Tzu companion, Hank, will find a new lap with the Gaida family.

Visitation/gathering will be from 1:15 until the 2 p.m. Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 9, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Duluth. Military honors and an informal reception will be held immediately following the service. Memorials are preferred to Honor Flight Twin Cities or to Animal Allies of Duluth.