Gordon Richard Peterson, born Oct. 14, 1930, in Potlatch, passed away Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at home in Portland, Ore. He was loved dearly and known to family and friends as "Gordy" and "Gordo."
Gordon grew up in Idaho and graduated from Deary High School in 1948. He drove logging trucks during his early years, then completed a two-year tour of duty in the U.S. Army before marrying his bride, Margaret Person of Troy. The newlyweds then moved to Portland to start a life and family together and were members of the Resurrection Lutheran Church for many years.
Gordon earned a degree in scientific motor tune-up from the Utilities Engineering Institute in Chicago in 1959. Beginning with his first position with Scoop Mobile in Portland, he thereafter enjoyed a successful career in purchasing and sales. In 1995, he celebrated his retirement but never really stopped working. He was shipping orders all across the country of his "no-mount Corvette antenna" until recently.
Gordon and Margaret joined the Rose City Corvette Club in 1978 and enjoyed more than 35 years of friendships, shows, tours and events.
They took many road trips together to visit each of the 50 states, explored the Mediterranean with friends and the families' birthplace in Norway and Sweden. A favorite memory for Gordon was his 10-day (boys-only) golf adventure in Scotland with his son.
Gordon and Margaret celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii with their children and six grandchildren. In October 2014, they spent their 60th anniversary surrounded by family in Seaside, Ore. Gordon loved life! He was devoted to and loved his family and his little dogs, Abbey and Julie.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin Richard Peterson and Myrtle Lathrop.
He is survived by his loving wife, Margaret; his three children, Rick (Katie) Peterson, David (Lisa) Peterson and Karen (Gino) Calcagno; and six grandchildren, Gordon and Hayley Peterson, Kyle and Amanda Peterson, and Alex and Erica Carman.
A memorial was held in honor of Gordon's life May 30 at the Little Chapel of the Chimes in Portland. He was laid to rest at the Willamette National Cemetery.
The family requests memorial donations be sent in remembrance of Gordon R. Peterson to Shriners Hospital, 3101 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97201.