Gordon Charles “Gordy” Ablitt
Gordon Charles “Gordy” Ablitt, 85, a Navy SEAL veteran, loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on June 21, 2025, in his hometown of Santa Barbara, California.Born in Seattle, Washington, on July 21, 1939,Gordy moved to Santa Barbara in 1949 with his mother, father, sister, and brother. He grew up in Serena Park, graduated from Carpinteria High School, and attended Whittier College. As a young man in 1961, Gordy joined the Navy, graduated from Officers Candidate School, and was commissioned as an Ensign. Transitioning from the elite UDT frogmen, he was one of 10 officers selected to pioneer SEAL Team 2 under President Kennedy’s directive, a role that defined his lifelong pride.
Leaving the Navy as a lieutenant in 1968, Gordy pursued a master’s degree in business at UCLA. With his education in hand, he returned to Santa Barbara and founded Santa Barbara Alarm Company, later selling it to ADT, a testament to his business acumen. In 1976, Gordy met Carol in Lake Tahoe, and they married in 1978. Over their 47 years married, they built a life through commercial real estate investments and businesses, including a locksmith shop, Spinnaker’s Galley, a laundromat, UPS & Copies, and others. Their shared vision led to an early retirement filled with traveling and generosity. They owned a summer home in Alaska from 1988 to 2003, then bought a beach house in Shelton, Washington, near Schneider’s Farm, where Gordy spent childhood summers at his grandfather’s home, keeping it for nearly 20 years.
Gordy was a familiar face in Santa Barbara and Shelton, where he and Carol hosted SEAL reunions and gatherings with warmth and laughter. He loved golf, lawn bowling, and boating, often sharing his favorite saying: “Here’s to it and to it again; if you don’t do it when you get to it, you’ll never get to it to do it again.” His pride in his family, SEAL service, and life with Carol touched everyone around him.
Gordy is survived by his wife, Carol Ablitt; his daughter, Tracy Louttit, from his first marriage to Diane Ablitt; his son-in-law, Drew Louttit; his grandchildren, Adam, Andy, and Aimee Louttit; his brother, Neil Ablitt; and his sister, Kathleen Carter Rainey. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alberta June Ablitt and Gordon A. Ablitt, and leaves behind many friends who will remember his kindness and generous spirit.
Following Gordy’s wishes, no formal service will be held, and his ashes will stay with his family in a private remembrance. Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to a veterans’ organization or charity of your choice in his memory.
Gordy’s life of love, service, and adventure will live on in those who knew him. Here’s to you, Gordy—to it, and to it again.
