Obituary of Tommie A. Gossett

Tommie A. Gossett October 25, 1925- January 28, 2012 Tommie A. Gossett, 86, of Dallas, Oregon, died January 28 at home with his wife at his side. Born in Drumright, Oklahoma to James and Fannie (Burke) Gossett, he attended schools in Bakersfield and Wasco, California, before joining the Merchant Marines in 1943, graduating from Officers Canidate School and serving on ships carrying munitions during World War II. After leaving the Merchant Marines, he married Nadine Horne in 1945 and moved to Portland, Oregon where he worked mainly for Western Transportation, piloting barges on the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. In 1950 he joined the Portland Police Bureau where he worked until his retirement as a harbor Pilot in 1976. During his working years, he joined the Mazamas, climbing numerous Pacific Northwest Mountains, including Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Adams and hiking trails around Mt. Hood and the pacific Coast Range. In 1978 he married Lynn Ellen Estey Denison in Warren, Oregon, and continued an active life of cross- country skiing, jogging, and RVing across the western states. In 1985 fullfilling a lifelong dream, he bought a Honda Goldwing, which became his favorite recreation and which he rode throughtout Oregon and the western states for many years. Tom was a vibrant man with a charismatic personality, a great story-teller with a wonderful sense of humor, the latter of which is evidenced by the ad he placed in the paper when he felt the time had come to part with his beloved Goldwing. “75 year- old basket case, No reflexes, no balance, no coordination Must sell motorcycle Due to nervous wife.” He was preceded in death by his parents; mother-and father-in-law Lila and Marsden Estey; sister-in-law Carol Gossett; son-in-law Chet McClure; and his brother Delbert Gossett. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter Carol McClure; son Jim Gossett; brothers Jim Gossett andCharley (Audrey) Gossett; Bette (Bill) Swank; sister-in-law Sue Gossett; grandson Jason McClure, granddaughter Jenny McClure; and 7 great- grandchildren. A private committal service is planned with Reverend Jeremy Hajdu- Paulen officiating. Burial will be at Willamette National Cemetery. Friends are invited to a reception honoring his life and memory at the family home at 364 SE Davis Ct. Dallas on Saturday, February 4 from 1 to 4 PM. Memorial donations may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the American Diabetes Association.