Colonel Gary Cable PhD

Col. Gary Dean Cable, PhD, age 69, passed away at his Peralta home on Friday, June 23, 2017, from complications of advanced prostate cancer, with his loving family by his side. He was born in Tucson, AZ, on October 21, 1947, to Lowell and Martha Cable. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Physics from the California Institute of Technology in 1969, his Master's Degree in Physics from the University of Chicago in 1971, and his Doctorate in Physics from the University of Arizona in 1973.

Gary spent 30 years in the U.S. Air Force rising to the rank of Colonel. He led the Air Force's Scientific Quick Response Team (SQRT) during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. Gary was awarded The Legion of Merit Medal, The Meritorious Service Medal, The Air Force Commendation Medal, and The National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation.

Gary worked for Sandia National Laboratories for 22 years, Computer Sciences Corporation for 11 years, and the U.S. Air Force Weapons Laboratory for over four years. He was also an Honors Professor in Computer Science at Luna Vocational Institute in Las Vegas, NM. He belonged to the Air Force Association, the Reserve Officers’ Association, the American Physical Society, the American Geophysical Union, the Association for Computing Machinery, the New MexiChords Barbershop Chorus, and the Prostate Support Association of New Mexico.

Gary and his wife, Celia, were members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Peralta where Gary served as WebMaster, Extraordinary Minister, Choir Member, Parish Council Member, and Cemetery Volunteer. He was an active supporter of Caltech, the University of Chicago, the Mayo Clinic, and the Airmens’ Relief Fund.

Gary’s hobbies included computer services for small non-profit organizations, singing, traveling, reading, and studying history.
Although Gary converted to Catholicism, he was born and reared Methodist, and spent his retirement years happily rehearsing and performing at St John’s United Methodist Church with the New MexiChords.  He believed there is a time for prayer, a time for worship, a time for duty, and a time to enjoy God’s gifts. He loved people, and he enjoyed talking. Gary was a member of a military family: his grandfather, Marvin Burton, served in WWI, his father served in WWII (Normandy D-Day +1), and his uncle, Dwight Cable, was a Bataan Death March survivor.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Martha Cable; paternal grandparents, Dr. W. Arthur and Etta Cable; and maternal grandparents, Arizona State Representative Marvin L. and Virginia A. Burton.

Gary is survived by his wife of 43 years, Celia Cable and their son, Orlando G. Cable, of Peralta, NM.

The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday, July 12, 2017 at 7:00 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 3674 Hwy 47, Peralta, NM.

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at 5:00 PM at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St. NE, Albuquerque, NM. Reception immediately following the service. Inurnment will be at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The Cable family would like to thank their neighbors Mr. and Mrs. John Taylor, Mr. Charles Chavez from Onpointe Hospice, and Mr. and Mrs. Louis Reimer.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given in Gary's memory to the Prostate Cancer Support Association of New Mexico and/or the New MexiChords Barbershop Chorus.

"Let There Be Peace on Earth"

---