Jan Lee Gartside

1st Sgt Jan Lee Gartside, USMC, Retired, of Ramona, CA, passed away in his home with his loving soulmate and nieces by his side as he left this earth. Graveside services with full military honors will be at Miramar National Cemetery on Tuesday, December 15th with arrival time 10 am for guests. Masks are required.

Jan was born Feb 19, 1938 in Newark, Ohio, to the late Lionel & Elizabeth (Dunaway) Gartside. He was preceded in death by his sister Sallie (Gartside) Wolfe and 2 brothers, Clinton & James Calloway. He leaves behind his true love of 35 years, Athalia “Faye” Elkins, brother Jerry (Carol) Gartside, brother-in-law John A Wolfe, step-daughter Josie (Mike) Coleman, grandkids and great grandkids along with a host of nephews, nieces and lifelong friends.

As contributed by his close friend, Rear Admiral John Bepko, Jan was a 30+ year member of Admiral Baker Men’s Club. Jan enlisted in the Marines in 1958. His career in the Marine Corps was filled with honor and valor in both peacetime and in combat.  Jan was a distinguished member of the Special Operations Marine Recon unit and a member of the USMC Rifle Sharpshooter National Team.  As a Recon Marine Jan jumped from aircraft, swam in the oceans and rivers, and advanced on land to wherever the enemy was.  As a leader of that elite group of warriors Jan was highly decorated, including the Purple Heart. Jan was in Vietnam 3 times and tread through concentrations of Agent Orange, which led to his being rated as 100% Combat Disabled, and ultimately resulted in metastatic lung cancer, which even Jan Gartside, a “Marine's Marine" could not overcome.

 Between his times in combat in Viet Nam, Jan was one of the very rare Marines who was chosen to serve as a Drill Instructor at both Parris Island in North Carolina and at the Marine Corp Recruiting Depot here in Southern California.  There are many Marines today who owe their lives and values to Jan Gartside.

After he retired, Jan managed a group of Frazee stores in Southern California and joined the Admiral Baker Men's Club, where he made many friends and was a loyal and considerably skilled golfer. Everybody who met Jan Garside became his friend. He had such charisma!

Jan is now at peace, after serving his country and his family and his friends with extreme honor and courage.

Donations may be made to Admiral Baker Men’s Club in Jan’s memory. The Admiral Baker Men’s Club is a non-profit, tax exempt 501c(7) military based organization that Jan was not only a member, but on the Board of Governors for years. Any donations can be sent to Admiral Baker Men’s Club, 1232 Fairfield St, Chula Vista, Ca 91913.

Bonham Bros & Stewart Mortuary and Cremation Service is assisting the family.

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