Obituary of Gordon Dwain Skellenger

Gordon enjoying his love for reading and the great outdoors Gordon was born in Plentywood, Montana to Paul and Esther on October 14, 1930 and passed away in Portland, Oregon on March 29, 2012. There will be a service at Willamette National Cemetery on Thursday, April 5, 2012. The service begins promptly at 12pm so please check in with the main office by 11:40am for directions to the shelter. Gordon is survived by his sons Bill, Steven and Shelby; daughters Valerie and Alisa; sister Goldie and her husband Bill Nolan; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son Robert. Gordon was born in Plentywood, Montana. He came to Bend, Oregon with his parents in 1935. In 1947 he joined the military and served in the Korean War and in the Air Corps. He worked as a stringer for Time-Life, a reporter for various newspapers in Alaska, California, Seattle and Portland, followed by working in construction and as a roofer. Gordon was a Canadian resident from July 1974 to the early 1990’s. He was granted a place for gold mining in August 1987 in Yukon. He was a veteran newsman at CCN in journalism and won an Alaska Journalism award in 1961. To the north of the Yukon; a newsman follows his rainbow. “What a Life” Gordon would say. He was late getting there. He drove across Canada and America, consumed by his love of traveling. “No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another”. Thank you to the Hopewell House for your compassion and graciousness in caring for Gordon Skellenger. Donations can be made to the Hopewell House in Gordon’s name. By Katie Watson