We mourn the loss of Retired Journeyman Inside Wireman Gary Degener, who was 77 years old, and had been a Local 569 member for over 52 years.
A San Diego native, Gary was barely 17 years old, when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps, in the height of the Vietnam era. In 1967, as a 20-yr. old veteran, Gary decided to explore some career options, first in retail sales, then at 21, bartending. Soon, Gary found work as a Union Laborer. While Gary was working as a Union laborer, his dad (longtime Local 569 Journeyman Wireman Howard Degener) convinced him that the IBEW offered an even better opportunity, especially with tuition-free schooling and eventual pension benefits.
By late 1971, Gary was indentured into Local 569’s Inside Wireman’s apprenticeship program, and his first employer was Barham Electric. He would continue to learn his craft at J. Frank Electric, Service Electric, Siegel (2 dispatches), Schwarz (2 dispatches), Associated, Amelco, American Electric, Oliver, Goodwin, Alliance, California Electric Works (CALEWO), Owl Electric, and Hamilton.
In the 70s, apprentices were even dispatched to Bechtel at San Onofre, and Gary would complete his apprenticeship at this generating station. He would work at a wide variety of shops over his 40 year-long career. Gary took multiple dispatches to: Amelco, Siegel, Chula Vista Electric, Kirkwood, Robinson, Davies, Sorrento, as well as Edlen. Gary would culminate his career as a foreman for Edlen, in which he served for over 5 years. He fully retired in 2012.
For several years in the 70s into the 80s, Gary was a member of the Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC). It may be known that OMBAC sponsors the annual world-renown “Over the Line” (OTL) tournaments, held in, of course, Mission Beach. Gary’s family includes IBEW members Michael (brother), Matthew (nephew), and Ryan (nephew).
A private family ceremony was held at Miramar National Cemetery.