Gary Conrad Dietz

 Gary Conrad Dietz, Commander, USN retired, 86 of Viera, Florida, passed away September 9, 2026. Gary was born April 7, 1940 to Evelyn Marie (Callahan) and Floyd Conrad Dietz in Davenport, Iowa and he has joined his loving wife of 63 years, Bonnie Jane Dietz, in eternal peace and happiness.

 Gary is survived by daughter, Stephanie Archer and husband, Phil Archer of Merritt Island; son Dr. Matt Dietz and wife, Renee of Chicago; son Deryck Dietz and wife, Jessica of St. Louis, as well as 11 grandchildren: Savannah and Tristan Markland; Zachary, William, Grant, and Elaina Dietz; Julian, Emerson, and Cameron Dietz; Amanda and Cody Archer, as well as great-grandson, Bryson Markland. Gary is pre-deceased by his brother, Greg, and parents, Evelyn and Floyd.

 CDR Dietz served 24 plus years as a Naval Aviator with multiple tours in Vietnam while earning a Meritorious Service Medal and Air Medal. Upon retiring from the Naval service, he taught and coached at O’Fallon Township High School and Marie Schaefer Junior High in O’Fallon, Illinois, as well as Edgewood Jr./Sr. High School in Merritt Island, Florida.

 Gary was a devoted father who took great care of his family even though he was deployed serving his county. Gary embodied the best qualities of unconditional love, strength in spirit, and unending generosity that could be seen in his care for his family. Gary loved playing games with family and friends and socializing with his Grand Isle Community. He could frequently be seen tootling about Grand Isle in his golf cart with his sidekick, Button. Gary’s warm smile, silly sense of humor, kind soul, and big heart will be missed by all.

 We will celebrate Gary’s life on October 9, 2026, with a mass at St. John’s Evangelist Catholic Church at 10 a.m. This will be followed by a full military honors burial at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. A celebration of life will be held at the Grand Isle Clubhouse on October 10, 2026 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers please make a donation on Gary’s behalf to either St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Heart Foundation, or Tunnel to Towers, three charities that were important to him.