He was well remembered for his hobbies.
He was Commander William Lewis Herndon, for whom the Town of Herndon was named. With his beard and navel dress uniform, he looked the part.
He was Santa Claus with his white beard and ample belly.
He was a train conductor for the SRX railroad with a conductor's uniform and hat. He would stand in the Herndon caboose in the center of Herndon and talk enthusiastically about trains.
He was a civil war reenactor. On the battlefield with the appropriate clothing and accoutrements.
He enjoyed life.
He was first licensed on 8
September 1992 as a Technician class operator with the
call sign KD4SRX.
He renewed that license in July 2002.
On 3 January 2004, he received the vanity call sign K4SRX. It was by this call sign that he was known for the past few decades.
He was always trying to upgrade to General class.
He renewed that license in July 2002.
On 3 January 2004, he received the vanity call sign K4SRX. It was by this call sign that he was known for the past few decades.
He was always trying to upgrade to General class.
He would always say hello and chat. He also carried on a long time rivalry with some of the club members to see who could get in the best "jab."
He participated in most of the club's activities including the SPARC booth at Sterling Festival, Herndon Festival, and Field Day,
During Field Day he was the club's safety officer. In addition to ensuring our radio activities were conducted in a safe manner, he took upon himself the task of the club's physical safety. He often stayed overnight to ensure that no one damaged our equipment or interfered with the radio operators.
Gary was also a big believer in amateur radio and emergency preparedness. He encouraged all to be active in Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) and wore his ARES uniform on many occasions.
2009. Gary, as Commander Herndon, at a Special Event Station by the Herndon Depot Museum and Herndon Caboose, celebrating the 150th anniversary of the arrival of train service to Herndon.
14 June 2009. Virginia QSO Party awards ceremony at the Manassas Hamfest,
June 2010. Herndon Festival 5/10K races. Gary (seated) with Gordon, NQ4K; Jim, KF4PQL; and Dick, W2YE.
June 2012. Manassas Hamfest.
June 2013. During Herndon Festival, Gary, K4SRX, as Commander William Lewis Herndon, American naval explorer, author of "Exploration of the Valley of the Amazon," and final captain of the SS Central America. Herndon was named after him in 1858.
13 December 2014. Gary, as a train conductor, in the Herndon Caboose in conjunction with the Annual Herndon Model Train Show.
28 June 2014. Gary (on right) at Field Day.
August 2015. Gary on left, with surprised waitress and Duane, K4UW, at the Annual Pizza Party.
August 2016. SPARC Annual Pizza Party,
June 2017. Gary was the safety officer at the SPARC Field Day. He is wearing his Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) uniform.
2 August 2017. Annual SPARC Pizza Party,
October 2017. Sterling Festival,
June 2018. Gary with Red, N3TG, during Field Day,
23 June 2019. Gary with his blue Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck during Field Day.
23 June 2019. Gary (on right) with Dick, W2YE, and the blue pickup.
23 June 2019. Gary (kneeling in blue baseball cap).
June 2019, Field Day, Gary is 2nd from right seated in blue baseball hat, between Gordon, NQ4K, and Mike, WB8RDN.
4 February 2020. Gary in front row, kneeling down, leaning on cane. Club photo from the last in-person meeting before the Coronavirus pandemic forced cessation of in-person event.