Kennith Gordon Gaither

Gordon grew up in Newhall, California and attended William S. Hart High School, graduating in June of 1966. He lettered in Varsity: Band, Football, and Wrestling. In his senior year, Gordon (as he was then called) met his future wife, Nanette Fae Lagasse, when she was a sophomore, attending William S. Hart High School. The high-school sweethearts were married at the First Presbyterian Church of Newhall on August 29, 1970.

After high school, Gordon enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War. He went to Boot Camp in San Diego, California and then to Memphis, Tennessee for his specialized schooling becoming an aviation jet mechanic. Over the years, Gordon traveled to many states and countries, courtesy of the US Navy.

One of his most memorable experiences was on January 14, 1969, when the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier (CV-65) blew up as they were heading towards the coast off of Vietnam. Gordon and his shipmates saved numerous lives that day.

During his Navy career, Gordon and Nanette lived mostly in the San Diego area. They had two sons, John Joseph Gaither (1974) and Stephen Patrick Gaither (1976). Gordon was very active in scouting and square dancing as the boys grew up. He and his family spent many hours at his in-laws home (Frenchy and Carol Lagasse) in Mentryville, California.

There was always some event to prepare for at Mentryville and Gordon and his sons (and nephew, Bryan Freel) participated in the 100th anniversary of Felton School House in Mentryville.

After his career in the Navy (he served 21 ½ years, retiring in 1989), he worked for a company called Solar, where he used his skills as an aviation mechanic to build and repair turbine engines. After receiving his BS degree at Coleman University, he worked in the information systems field. He was an avid cyclist with the Cyclo-Vets Bicycle Club in San Diego.

With the untimely death of his wife, Nanette in 2018, he moved from San Diego to Prescott Valley, Arizona accompanied by his eldest son, John. Stephen, his youngest son, with his significant other, Hollie, eventually followed him, moving to Flagstaff, Arizona.

Gordon (who was also called “Ken” by some) was a gentle man who always thought of others, always ready to help or “lend a hand”. He loved “road trips” and frequently drove from Arizona to Lebec, California, to help his mother-in-law maintain her home.

After suffering a stroke, Gordon later died on August 31, 2025, a few days after his 77th birthday.

He is pre-deceased by his father, James; his mother Hazel McKinnon; his wife, Nanette; his father-in-law, Frenchy Lagasse; his mother-in-law, Carolyn Lagasse. He is survived by his brother, James Gaither of Oregon; sons, John and Stephen (Hollie) of Arizona; sisters-in-law, Laurette Freel (Samuel) of Florida and Suzette Roderick (Tim) of California and many extended families.

He will be interred next to the love of his life, on October 10 at Eternal Valley Memorial Park with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) auxiliary of your choice.

His family would like to express the gratitude to the many doctors and nurses in Arizona, who helped Gordon during his last few days on earth. He will be intensely missed by all that had a chance to know him. We know that we will be with him, again, in heaven with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, when we, also, will come to the end of our life's journey.