~ IN MEMORY ~
Military veteran, WA/DL Capt. Alan Lee Gaines
April 2, 1944 – July 14, 2024
We honor the life of retired Western/Delta pilot Captain Alan Lee Gaines, age 80. Alan joined Western Airlines 12-12-1972 and retired with Delta Air Lines based SLC and then CVG/030 prior to his retiring. Alan is survived by his wife Ann, and by his children and his grandchildren.
Obituary information can be accessed online at
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/legacyremembers/alan-gaines-obituary?id=55813089
PCN memorial site https://pcnflightwest.blogspot.com/2024/08/wadl-capt-alan-lee-gaines.html
Alan Lee Gaines, a beloved husband, father, and friend, passed away on July 14, 2024. Born in Downey, California, Alan was the youngest of three sons of Foster and Pauline Gaines. He was a proud graduate of Earl Warren High School and earned a degree in Aerospace Engineering from USC, where he also completed his Navy ROTC training.
Alan’s distinguished military career included service as a naval aviator, flying the F-8 Crusader and F-4 Phantom. He retired from the Navy Reserve after 22 years of dedicated service. He met his wife, Ann Pennington Gaines, on Christmas Eve 1968, and they were married in 1970. Alan’s commercial airline career with Western Airlines and Delta Airlines spanned over 31 years, where he was known for his commitment to safety and his calm and thorough approach.
Alan and Ann raised their children, Joanna and Jeffrey, in Nevada City, California, where Alan was deeply involved in community service, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Museum, and Peace Lutheran Church. His passions included camping, hiking, and singing with local choirs.
Alan is preceded in death by his much-loved brother, Richard. He is survived by his adoring wife Ann; children Joanna (Andy) Trygstad and Jeffrey (Kara) Gaines; grandchildren Grant, Gavin, and Alexis; his brother Dennis (Judy) Gaines; and his sister-in-law Nancy Gaines. He also leaves behind his nieces and nephews, Kristen, Alan, Amanda, Deni, Kelley, and Dusty.
A memorial service will be held on August 17, 2024, at 2 PM at Peace Lutheran Church, 828 West Main Street, Grass Valley, CA 95945. Alan’s legacy of love, faith, and service will be remembered fondly by all who knew him.
Special thanks to Doctors Esteghamat, Gill and Credo at UC Davis Medical Center.
If you would like to make a donation to honor Alan, the family asks that you consider donations to any of the following:
Peace Lutheran Church – www.peacelutherangv.org
Nevada County Habitat for Humanity – www.nchabitat.org
UC Davis Cancer Center – https://give.ucdavis.edu/Donate/YourGift/CC48317/