Clyde Lester Gordon

Clyde Lester Gordon, 86, was surrounded by family and friends as he went to Heaven Aug. 17, 2013, to be with Georgia, his beloved wife who preceded him in death in 1996.

Clyde was born in Noxon, Mont., Sept. 13, 1926. He served the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Clyde married his best friend and the love of his life, Georgia, in 1947, bringing her to Seward in 1948.

He commercial fished for 10 years with friends Bob Lentz, Denny Thompson and Casey Cobban. He then joined Standard Oil and moved to Dutch Harbor, later becoming the manager of Chevron Asphalt in Anchorage. He retired in 1985. He was a member of the Elks and American Legion. He spent summers in Seward on his boat, the Georgia G III, fishing the waters of Resurrection Bay with family and friends. He loved the Silver Salmon Derby.

He spent the winters in Wasilla, where he was on two Senior Bowling Leagues, known as the “main man” to Debbie and Marie, and enjoyed time with his neighbors, the McGees and Sheisles. He enjoyed traveling during the winter to warmer climates, especially Mexico. He loved the time spent with his sister, Grace, picking morel mushrooms in Oregon.

His family and friends commented: “He was the best dad, he was loved, we were blessed to be part of his life, he was a true mentor, he was loving and forgiving, he was my ‘Boppa.’”

Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Cathleen Gordon; daughters, Kathryn Johnson and Vickie Stalmarck; son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Carolyn Orchard; grandchildren, Laura Johnson and fiancé Glenn Irby, Jennifer Johnson and fiancé Matthew Lane, Jason and Riza Gordon, Melany Barnett, Zachary Johnson, Shay and Ed Williams, Severin and Kayla Stalmarck, and Cindy Chambers; great-grandchildren, Ashley, Shelby, Alexandria, Georgia, Vincent, Zachary, Jade, Glorielle, David, Mark, Kristina, Mason, Wyatt and Veego; great-great-grandchildren, Kasaundra and Patrick; and beloved godchildren, including Janice Jackson, Howard Peterson, Arden Miller, Ann Whitmore-Painter, Craig Cobban, Michelle Cobban and William Lentz.

A celebration of life is planned at the family home on Oct. 5. Clyde’s ashes will be spread in Thumbs Cove, Resurrection Bay to be with his wife, Georgia, and many other loved ones.

Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Anchorage, 2612 E. Northern Lights Blvd., Anchorage, AK 99508, or by telephone at (907) 561-5322.