Obituary published on Legacy.com by Canby Funeral Chapel on Nov. 22, 2024
David Lee Gordon, age 80, but forever remaining young-at-heart, passed away on November 20, 2024, on the eve of his 51st wedding anniversary to the love of his life, Susi. As he passed, he was surrounded by family members, wife Susi, daughter Molly Wegener with her husband Andy Wegener and their two daughters, Beth Schott and Addie Wegener, along with Dave's second daughter Katey Hagan. Other family members who lovingly prayed for him during his final days but were not present are Beth's husband, Caleb Schott, and Katey Hagan's husband Robert Hagan, and their children Sarah, Justice, Sam and Derek.
Dave is preceded in death by his sister, Judy Mattison, and his brother, Gene Gordon, and his parents, Paul and Irma Gordon. He grew up with his immediate and extended families in the town of Claremont, California, where he was born and graduated from Claremont High in 1963. He went on to college close by at the University of California Riverside where he played basketball for the college.
During the summers of his college years he worked at Jackson Lake Lodge as a bell hop and spent his time off hiking into the Tetons and thus began his life-long love for the Grand Teton National Park. After graduating college with a masters degree in business administration and education, working at Albany Elementary school and marrying a fellow teacher Susi, he returned to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to work in construction and as a park ranger.
In 1978, David moved his family to Enterprise, Oregon, where he worked in a sawmill and as a second grade teacher at the Joseph Elementary School. Dave was involved in the Enterprise Baptist Church often singing in cantatas and other choral performances, and he built a log house up on Alder Slope. Throughout these years, Dave continued to enjoy taking hikes and backpacking trips into the Wallowas where he took stunning photographs to add to his slide carousel collections and taught all those around him to enjoy the beauty of God's creation.
Dave went on to teach after the family moved to Canby, Oregon in 1986. He taught at Lee Elementary School (4th grade), Knight Middle School 6th grade), and Ackerman Junior High School (math and science subjects). Dave would fondly remember parent-teacher conferences held with the families in the students' homes during these years, especially if the families had chocolate chip cookies (extra crisp) ready for him. Many people of the Canby community fondly remember seeing Dave during those years biking to work from his home on Holly Street, enjoying working in his yard and home where he lived for 37 years, or in the doughnut section of Cutsforth Thriftway or Baumann Farms.
Dave has been affectionately known as the Moose Man, Uncle Dave, Ranger Dave, and Mr. Gordon to numerous students. But those of us who were so blessed to be in his family called him dad and husband. By whichever of these enduring names we may have called Dave he will always be remembered by each of us as one who loves God, cares sincerely about each person he knows, loves songs like "Honey Would you Dance" by Misty Mamas and other 1950s songs, "Loch Lomond" by Steven Hall and other Scottish and American folk songs and "To God Be the Glory".
We like to imagine him singing that hymn now in God's presence with both arms raised as he was apt to do when worshiping. Until we get to join him there we will miss him greatly as we all know a Greathearted man has passed from this earth.
A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at the Canby Alliance Church Tuesday November 26, 2024 at 10 a.m. where we welcome you to share in the stories that made us laugh and cry with Dave and "bee bop" to the music he shared with us.
A viewing will be held on Monday, November 25 from 3pm to 5pm at Canby Funeral Chapel.
In lieu of flowers please give memorial donations to World Vision as we all remember Dave as one who gave of his life graciously to whoever was in need.
Arrangements entrusted to Canby Funeral Chapel, Canby, Oregon
