"3">Alan Gartly Symons, 88, known by many as Gart, and born in Memphis, Tenn., passed away Sept. 23, 2011.
"3">He was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances.
"3">He is survived by his second wife, Jean; son, Stephen, and daughter-in-law, Donna, of San Diego, Calif.; granddaughters, Frances Jean and Joanna; daughter, Leigh, and son-in-law, Mark Edwards, of Pensacola, Fla.
"3">He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, 1942-45, in the Pacific Theater of Operations on New Guinea, the Philippines and Japan.
"3">He is a graduate of The Georgia School of Technology, Class of 1948. During his career as a mechanical engineer, he worked at Combustion Engineering Co. in Chattanooga, Tenn. before moving to Pensacola, joining Layne Central Co., retiring from the position of District Manager in 1987.
"3">He was an avid sailor and happiest when racing his sloop “My Fair Lady,” or flying a plane, until disability grounded him from sailing and flying.
"3">He moved with his wife, Frances, to Perdido Beach in 1970, and resided “On-The-Creek” for the rest of his life.
"3">He served on the Alabama Environmental Commission of ADEM from 1997-2002.
"3">He was a member of the F&AM of Foley.
"3">Gart was an outstanding engineer and never happier than when solving a tough problem. He garnered the respect and friendship of all he met in his professional and private life. His sense of humor and courage in the face of challenges remained with him to the end.
"3">Private memorial services will be held by the family.
"3">Donations in his memory may be made to the Perdido Beach Volunteer Fire Co., 8430 Escambia Ave., Perdido Beach, AL 36530, or the Daybreak United Methodist Church Development Fund, P.O. Box 205, Elberta, AL 36530.
"3">Arrangements by Rose Lawn Funeral Home and Cemetery, Gulf Breeze, Fla.
