Eugene Gene Elliott Van Gordon

He was born in Woodburn. On April 29, 1917, he moved to Portland as a baby to the Woodstock area and attended first and second grades at Woodstock Grade School, third grade at Wicketa School in Milwaukie and fourth through seventh grades at Milwaukie Grade and Jr. High

Eugene grew up in Milwaukie, where he graduated from high school. While there, he enjoyed sports, especially wrestling, baseball and cross country. He earned three varsity letters: one in baseball and two in wrestling.

After graduating, he worked in several grocery stores. He worked for three years at Western Electric as a telephone repairman before starting a career at the U.S. Postal Service (1939-1973). He spent three years in the Army (1943-1946) in the CBI (China, Burma, India) working at the base post office obtaining the rank of staff sergeant.

He married Fern Hermanson in 1941, who proceeded him in death in April 1983. Their marriage gave them two sons, Larry and Paul Van Gordon. Gene and Fern joined St. Luke Lutheran Church in 1947 (Gene was Baptised in 1948). Both being active in church functions until their deaths.

After retirement in 1973 from the U.S. Postal Service, Gene worked in various part-time jobs, as well as enjoyed travel, bowling and golfing. He was an avid fisherman, snow skier and enjoyed crossword puzzles.

After seven years of joyful bliss as a bachelor, Gene married Doris Hartig on January 13, 1990. Both enjoyed extensive travel, bowling, golfing and the beach. Family includes younger sister, Verna Glos, and brother, Kenneth Van Gordon; stepdaughters, Donna Dunlap and Nancy Batz; two step-grandchildren; daughters-in-law, Elizabeth Van Gordon and Sarah Van Gordon; along with seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Gene loved music and spent many years singing in the St. Luke Choir. He enjoyed playing the guitar and harmonica. He was an avid fisherman, tennis player and snow/cross country skier. More quiet activities included cards crossword puzzles, Atlanta Braves baseball, and western movies.

Gene was a very tender-hearted and had a competitive spirit, was very loving, generous