Gordon Robert Somerville

Gordon Robert Somerville, 86, of Normandy Park, Washington passed peacefully into the hands of his loving savior December 10, 2015. Gordon was born April 3, 1929 in Tacoma, Washington to David and Ruby Jean Somerville. He and his brother David grew up in North Tacoma, and spent their summers boating and enjoying the shore at their south end Vashon beach house. He attended grade school at Sherman Elementary, where he began playing clarinet. Music and sailing would become his lifelong passions.

Gordon played basketball in high school, graduating from Stadium High in 1947. He studied Engineering at the University of Washington, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He joined the ROTC before graduating in 1951 with a BS in Metallurgical Engineering.

Gordon married his high school sweetheart, Rae Jeanne Neely, on October 27, 1951. Gordon was hired at Alcoa Aluminum processing and forming in Los Angeles, California. From there, he was called up for Coast Guard officers training at the USCG Academy in 1954. Gordon was assigned to the USCGC Sedge in Kodiak, Alaska in 1955. He left active duty in 1957 and he and Rae Jeanne moved to Vancouver, Washington where he again worked at Alcoa Aluminum Processing and Forming.

While in Vancouver, Gordon and Rae Jeanne’s first two sons were born – Robert Watson August 11, 1958 and William Allen July 11, 1960. In 1960, the young family moved to Seattle, where Gordon began work at the Boeing Company. He remained at Boeing until his retirement in 1989. While at Boeing, Gordon worked with Boeing Manufacturing Research and Development division on many projects that fascinated him, including tanks for the Apollo lunar rover, the Boeing hydrofoils, the SRAM missile, and others. Their third son, James Arthur, was born September 29, 1961. Gordon purchased a 1948 Blanchard sailboat – the Naiad – in 1964. The boat became a second home for them, and the boys grew up sailing the waterways of Seattle and the San Juan’s. Rae Jeanne passed away in March 1979. Gordon married Jean Francis Miller in July 1984, and she passed away December 1986 after being diagnosed with cancer.

Gordon married Jillian Grainger on December 5, 1987. Gordon and Jill spent their summers on Cape Cod with their beloved dog Dougan. While there, Gordon enjoyed sailing his Sunfish, the Lovey II, bird watching, and playing for the Harwich Town Band. While at home in Seattle, Gordon played for numerous bands. He was accomplished on the Clarinet and Oboe, but also enjoyed learning to play a variety of new instruments. He also enjoyed volunteering as a mentor for special needs children at a local Middle School. Gordon and Jill took many extended trips on the Niaid, sailing for weeks at a time. Gordon was an active member of St. James Episcopal, and especially enjoyed singing in the choir.

Gordon suffered a stroke in 2011. Following his stroke, Jill lovingly cared for him until his death. Gordon passed away surrounded by his loving family at Highline Hospital December 10th following complications from pneumonia.

Gordon is survived by his loving wife Jill Somerville and his children Bob (Kathy) Somerville, Jim (Nicole) Somerville and Bill (Gayla) Somerville, his stepchildren Jeanne (Steve) Hasenmiller, Anne (Ray) Tompkins, David (Julie) Grainger, and his grandchildren Kristin (Mark), Richard, Catherine, Anna, Dan, Isaiah, Laura (Ben), Sarah, Colton and Melanie and his great grandchildren Emma and Lily. He is also survived by his brother David (Betsy) Somerville and their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gordon was a great blessing to his family – passing on his love of music, boating, and Puget Sound, and his unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Gordon will be greatly missed by his family, his band-mates, and his church family at St. James Episcopal Church. Gordon’s ashes will be interred at St. Luke's Episcopal church alongside his mother and father, and Rae Jeanne.

Memorial Services will be held at St. James Episcopal January 8th with reception following..

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. James Episcopal, St. Luke's Episcopal, Seattle Symphony, Highline Community Band or a charity of the donor’s choice.