Gary Douglas Trammell

Gary Douglas Trammell, age 60, of Selma, died Tuesday, December 17, 2013.

His life will be celebrated at a memorial in early summer. Interment will be at Eagle Point National Cemetery.

Gary was born January 19, 1953 in Medford, Oregon to James and Muriel Trammell. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1972 and served in the 10th Security Police Squadron, 10th Tactical Recon Wing. In the years following his service he moved back to Oregon and pursued a broad spectrum of professional activities working as video producer, sound-engineer, ultralight pilot, musician, firefighter and luthier. In 1990 he settled in Selma, Oregon. He was a devoted member of the volunteer fire department in the Illinois Valley and became the battalion chief of stations 2 and 5. He was responsible for the training of many firefighters and was awarded officer of the year on multiple occasions for his exemplary service. Gary was directly responsible for saving many lives and homes in the valley and exhibited excellent leadership in high risk situations. He also worked as a wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service battling forest fires in the Pacific Northwest. Gary was an active member of the Veterans Center in Grants Pass where he was well known and friend to many.

Music was the focal point of Gary’s life beginning in his teen years as a member of the band “The 3rd Sound”. Following his time as a firefighter he focused on writing and recording music, building and repairing guitars, and inventing innovative tone systems for electric guitars. He loved living in the forest and enjoyed all the area wildlife, as well as his domestic pet family.

In addition to his parents, survivors include his wife of 25 years, Mary Trammell, son Ian Trammell of Clayton, North Carolina, stepchildren, Sam Perkins of Portland, Oregon, Jacob Perkins of Wellington, New Zealand, and Rachel Perkins of New York, New York, as well as grandchildren, Darian, Adrian, and Aiden Trammell, Max Sadock, Asher Perkins, and Willa Perkins, sisters Sheri Szabo of Minnesota and Carol Quakenbush of Medford, Oregon.

Of immeasurable service to his country and community, Gary was a compassionate man of many skills and accomplishments. He was much loved and respected will be sorely missed..