Gale G Nave

He was born July 8, 1952, in Indianapolis and spent his childhood growing up in Speedway, Indiana which was 1 mile from the Indy 500 racetrack. He started making money as a kid delivering morning papers. He also sold programs at the Indy 500 Speedway during qualifications and the big race for many years. He was a Cub Scout and a Boy Scout. He attended Speedway High School and was very involved in the band, theater, musicals and debate.

He attended Culver Military Summer School which he enjoyed thoroughly. He played the drums in the Navy marching band, rowed in crew competitions and developed a deep love for sailing. He owned a 19-foot sailboat that he kept at Lake Clinton in Lawrence, Kansas and was happiest when he was on the water. Many friends went sailing on his boat.

He attended Drury College on scholarship and received a bachelor's degree in business and economics. He and his roommate Kim remained great friends for the rest of his life. Gordon talked about his summer jobs during college shoveling lime, working at a reservoir and painting crosswalks and striping streets.

After college Gordon worked for Ford Motor Credit Company as an auditor and oversaw repossessing vehicles that weren’t being paid off. He had many dangerous encounters during that part of his job.

He then worked at the place he enjoyed most as a finance and credit manager at North American Plant Breeders for a few years. While working there he was sought after and strongly recruited by Midway Ford Truck Center to take the job as their finance man. He worked there for 18 years and earned many wonderful cruises and tropical vacations from contests held by the dealership. Because he could get a deal, Gordon always drove a Ford. He was always about the deal.

He met his wife, Marie, at a Kansas City Singles dance in 1982. The first dance was ladies’ choice, and he boldly approached her and said, “aren’t you going to ask me to dance?”. Three years later they were married at the Loose Park Rose Garden on a beautiful, sunny June day. The couple recently celebrated their 40th anniversary.

They were regulars at the original 54th Street and became great friends with so many there over the years. They took Club Med vacations and continued to enjoy sailing in Lawrence. They had two dogs during their marriage. One sweet bull terrier, Spudzie, that was a stray and Lacey, an unruly white German Shepherd. He and his wife exercised daily with walks and workouts in their downstairs gym. Gordon was meticulous and attention to detail in every area of his life. Jokingly a friend gave him the nickname of Mr. Fussy.

Gordon dealt with many health issues early on and later in his life. At age 29, he was in a car accident that left him with chronic back pain for the remainder of his life. Later he was diagnosed with Meniere’s disease that left him deaf in one ear. He got diagnosed with MG at the time covid hit. He joined the MGA support group which was very helpful. He was diagnosed with several eye diseases and got corneal transplants soon after. With all these health concerns, he was mostly upbeat. His motto was, “there is no reason to complain”.

He was thrilled to have had a recent visit from his childhood friend Sammy and his wife from Indianapolis. They reminisced about old times growing up and their adventures in Jamaica.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Gale and Bettie Nave; and two sisters-in-law, Ann Linville and Mary Alice Herbst.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Marie Nave of the home; brother, Nelson Nave (Pat); sister-in-law, Ann Herbst; two brothers-in-law, David Herbst (Alice) and Richard Herbst (Jane); and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

There will be no services held per his wishes.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Myasthenia Gravis Association at 2340 E Meyer Blvd. Ste 300A, Kansas City, MO 64132 or Saving Sight at Suite 210, 10560 Ambassador Dr, Kansas City, MO 64153.