Nan Gaylord's Obituary
Nan Gaylord, born on September 5, 1942, in Akron, Ohio, passed away on February 10, 2025, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was the beloved daughter of Luvern Earle and Virginia Lansing (Alvord) Gaylord.
Nan was an extraordinary woman whose passion for aviation led her to become one of the world's first female Designated Pilot Examiners for the FAA. Her aviation career began with flight training at Ross School of Aviation, and she went on to become a pilot for 49 years and an examiner for 26 years. In 1989, she founded Nan Enterprises.
Her impressive credentials included certificates and ratings as an Airline Transport Pilot, Airplane, Single and Multiengine Land; Gold Seal Flight Instructor, Instrument and Multiengine Instructor; and Ground Instructor, Advanced and Instrument. Nan was a Master CFI and a two-time Master and SAFE member, as well as a Master Ground Instructor. She served as a pilot examiner at Tulsa's Richard L. Jones Riverside Airport and taught aviation classes at Tulsa Community College.
Nan was deeply involved in the aviation community, serving as a FAASTeam representative for the FAA's Oklahoma City FSDO area and as a Tulsa-area designated pilot examiner. She was one of nine Oklahoma aviation educators to earn the "Master" title and one of 26 aviation educators worldwide to earn both MCFI and MGI accreditations. In 2023, she received the Pearl Carter Scott Oklahoma General Aviation Distinguished Service Award.
Her contributions to aviation extended to various organizations, including the Tulsa Air and Space Museum board of directors, Spartan College of Aeronautics advisory board, the Ninety-Nines Inc., Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the National Association of Flight Instructors, and the Society of Aviation Flight Educators. In 1977, she won the 30th and final Powder Puff Derby, an all-women's transcontinental air race from Palm Springs, California, to Tampa, Florida.
Nan's academic achievements included a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Kent State University, with majors in Spanish and Sociology. She was a member of Pi Gamma Mu and Alpha Kappa Delta honor societies. She graduated from RHEMA Bible Training Center and became an ordained minister.
Nan is survived by her brother, Tom Gaylord; nephews Thomas Sanders, Steven Sanders, and Mike Somerville; and numerous great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Luvern and Virginia Gaylord; sister, Virginia Somerville; sister-in-law, Edith Gaylord; and nephews, David Gaylord and David Somerville.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Floral Haven Funeral Home Chapel.
Nan's legacy in aviation and her dedication to education and service will be remembered and cherished by all who knew her.
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