Gordon J. Brenner

A more mild mannered man there never was. Always even tempered and never a bad word to say about anyone or anything. Gordon was known by all, family and friends, as a nice guy. You would never know if he was having a bad day. Gordon was always willing to lend a hand, answer a question or offer a pearl of wisdom. He was never the kind to tell you what to do but had a solution if you needed one. Gordon made friends easily and kept them for decades. Truly a kind, gentle, loving person who accepted all the friends his family would bring into his life. Gordon enjoyed stamp and coin collecting, bowling, watching the Padres and of course the one armed bandits. He enjoyed working with his hands the most. Building with wood, fixing things, repairing cars and working on projects around the house were just a few of the activities that gave him a feeling of accomplishment.

Gordon was born in Milwaukee, WI. on July 3, 1928 to Marie F. and Gordon Brenner Sr. Marie was employed as a hotel cook and Gordon Sr. was a professional sign painter. Gordon’s childhood was during the great depression and times were tough. He was raised(spoiled) by his maternal grandmother and his hard working single mom. Gordon’s youth included Boy Scouts and summer jobs in a grocery store, a bakery and a foundry. Gordon was a “self-proclaimed fun seeker” and as such was easily sidetracked from his school studies, Regardless, he graduated from St. Michael’s Grade School and West Division High. World War II came and Gordon answered the call by volunteering in the Navy in 1945. He trained in Great Lakes, IL. and Pearl Harbor, HI. His first tour was a motor pool on Guam in the South Pacific where he somehow ended up with his own Jeep. Gordon returned stateside and met his future bride, Mary. After six weeks they married in Washington, D.C. on November 5th, 1949. The newlyweds bought their first trailer, a silver “Anderson” and set up house in Green Bay, WI. Gordon was assigned to the Great Lakes Naval Training Center repairing audio visual equipment. It wasn’t long before Gordon and Mary were given their first born, Gary, in 1951. New orders take Gordon and family to the East Coast where he served on four minesweepers making as many cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. The family size reaches four when Larry was born in Charleston S.C. in 1953. The Navy sends the family packing back to Great Lakes for his next assignment. Gordon has a new outlook on school. He’s a teacher now. A really good one! He’s teaching new recruits to be electrician mates. 1960 has even bigger changes. Out to the West Coast they go to sunny Chula Vista. “The Long, Long Trailer” was nothing compared to this trip out west. Not long after arriving in 1960 Paula is born. That will complete his family for now. 1960-1971 Gordon serves on 2 repair ships and the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Constellation as an electrical officer. Lots of cruises to the Western Pacific. Navy retirement comes to Lieutenant Commander Gordon Brenner in 1973. Gordon starts a civilian career at Q.E.D. and Envisions. Two contractors doing business with the Navy. 1980 brings Gordon’s mom Marie out to live close by. 1979-1988. Eight short years bring four grandchildren. Michael, April, John and Glenn. Gordon is active in his grandchildren’s lives assisting and spoiling as grandfathers do. Gordon loses Mary as she passes in 1988. Soon after, punching the clock finally ends and the golden years begin for Gordon. Plenty of time to do whatever he wants now. Gordon enjoyed the slower pace with an occasional short trip. Many times up to see his friends Don and Glenda Coleman. Working trips in the vineyards of Ca. Gordon would joke now and again, “Seen everything-done everything”. His family and friends thank Gordon for sharing his knowledge, skills and insights he gained from seeing everything and doing everything. We will always remember him in our thoughts and our hearts and be thankful for his friendship. His children will always thank him for his support and guidance.

Places Gordon lived: Milwaukee, WI.; Guam, Marianas Islands; Waukegan, IL.; Bayonne, NJ.; Panama City, FL.; Little Creek, VA.; Charleston, SC.; Portsmouth, VA.; Great Lakes, IL.; Chula Vista, CA.

Ships Gordon served on: USS Harkness(AGSC-72)(AMCU-12); USS Lorikeet(AMS-49); USS Revenge(AM-110); USS Bold(MSO-424); USS Klondike(A-32); USS Jason(AR-8); USS Constellation(CVA-64) USS Prairie(AD-15).

Places Gordon served: U.S. Naval Training Center, Camp Perry, VA.; U.S. Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, IL.; Camp Catlin, Territory of Hawaii; Commander Marianas, Guam; Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes IL.; U.S. Naval Training Center, San Diego, CA.; Subinsurvbd, San Diego, CA.

Medals Gordon earned in the Navy: American Campaign, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, Good Conduct Medal(5 times), National Defense Service Medal(twice), Armed Force Expeditionary Medal, Republic of Viet Nam Campaign, World War II Victory Medal. Navy Commendation, Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Places Gordon Vacationed: England, Hawaii, Germany, Italy & USA.