The Visionary Behind GPS: The Legacy of Gary Burrell

A Spark of Inspiration: From Rural Kansas to Engineering Greatness

Gary Leon Burrell was born on August 24, 1937 in Stilwell, Kansas — a modest beginning for a man whose name would become synonymous with global navigation. He pursued electrical engineering at Wichita State University before earning a master’s degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, equipping him with the technical foundation to drive innovation.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Burrell honed his craft at several aviation and marine electronics firms — including Lowrance Electronics, King Radio Corporation, and later AlliedSignal. His work in “integrated avionics” — developing communication and navigation systems for general aviation — foreshadowed a shift that would redefine how the world navigates.

Betting on Satellites: The Birth of Garmin

In 1989, when satellite-based navigation systems began to shift from military-exclusive tech to civilian use, Burrell saw an opportunity. Alongside fellow engineer Min H. Kao, he co-founded Garmin — a name that combines their first names. 

The first Garmin office? Not a fancy Silicon Valley campus, but a pair of folding chairs and a card table.  Their initial product was a GPS device aimed at boaters; by the early 1990s, Garmin had already begun transforming novelty GPS hardware into a mainstream tool for aviation, marine, and outdoor use. 

What started as a humble startup soon gained traction — so much so that during the first Gulf War, even though Garmin had no military contract, some U.S. servicemen used their GPS devices.

Changing the World, One Device at a Time

Under Burrell’s technical leadership, Garmin expanded beyond niche consumer gadgets. The company made waves in aviation with the development of groundbreaking avionics: from GPS-integrated NAV/COMM receivers to the now-notable “glass cockpit” systems. 

The GNS 430/530 series — which combined GPS navigation with traditional avionics systems — and the G1000 integrated flight deck became hallmark innovations under his watch. By the time of his retirement as co-CEO in 2002 (and co-chairman in 2004), Garmin had grown from a shoestring startup into a global powerhouse — eventually employing over 13,000 people across 60 offices worldwide.

A Quiet Philanthropist and Family Man

Despite running a high-tech company, Burrell remained grounded. He was married to Judith "Judy" Overholt, whom he wed on August 6, 1960, after meeting her in their church in Wichita.  The couple had three sons — Randy, Jon, and Mike — and built a family rooted in faith.

Those who knew him describe his leadership style as “servant leadership.”  With a generosity of spirit, Burrell prioritized the welfare of his employees. Even after stepping away from day-to-day management, he remained influential as chairman emeritus and a major shareholder.

The Fortune Behind the Man

At the peak of his wealth, Burrell’s net worth was estimated around US$1.8 billion. In 2007, he ranked #114 on the prestigious Forbes 400 list of America’s richest people.

His fortune stemmed from a roughly 14% stake in Garmin, making him the company’s second-largest shareholder at one point.  Over time, some of that stake was redistributed to his family and charitable trusts — a move that eventually pushed him off billionaire-rank lists.

The Final Chapter — And A Lasting Legacy

Gary Burrell passed away on June 12, 2019 at his home in Spring Hill, Kansas, following complications from Parkinson’s disease. His death was mourned across the aviation and tech industries; the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) described him as a man whose innovations “impacted the world in the most profound ways.”

Today, his contributions live on. Garmin continues to shape how people navigate — in the air, on water, during hikes, or on daily commutes. His earlier induction (with Min Kao) into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (2024 class) is a testament to the enduring influence of his vision.

Why Gary Burrell Matters: Beyond GPS

Gary Burrell’s story is one of foresight, humility, and long-term impact. He transformed satellite technology into consumer devices that reshaped how humanity perceives space, distance, and direction.

He didn’t just build a company — he built a legacy. Garmin’s continued success is proof. But more than that, his values — faith, family, servant-leadership — show that a tech titan can also remain deeply human.

For anyone who has ever opened a map app and wondered how we got from point A to point B, there’s a good chance Gary Burrell helped pave the way.