Gordon Leroy Hedman

Gordon Leroy Hedman, of Tualatin, OR, died November 24, 2013, at the age of 92. A mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, December 5th at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church which is located at 790 “A” Avenue, Lake Oswego.

Mr. Hedman was born February 22, 1921 in Astoria, Oregon. He moved to Portland Oregon as a young boy. He graduated from Cleveland High School, formerly known as Commerce High School. He would later continue his education at Oregon Polytechnical Vocation Institute, where he received an Associates Degree in Bookkeeping and Accounting. While attending night school, he worked for the Meier and Frank Company as a delivery truck driver.

After high school, Gordon joined the Oregon National Guard and enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 16, 1940. He was a WWII veteran of the 41st Infantry Division and was stationed in New Guinea in the South Pacific. He received an honorable discharge on August 31, 1945.

While on leave in Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia, Gordon met his war bride, Peggy Kelly. Gordon and Peggy were married in Portland in March of 1947. They were married for 51 wonderful years. Gordon and Peggy had four children. They lived in Portland until 1957. They moved to Lake Oswego, where they resided for 36 years. In 1993 they moved to West Linn.

On February 1, 1998, Gordon lost his beloved wife Peggy. He continued to live in West Linn until he married his second wife, Ruth Hills, on March 16, 2000. Gordon and Ruth moved to Tualatin in 2003. Ruth passed away October 24, 2012.

Gordon’s lifelong career in agricultural chemical sales began at Wilbur-Ellis in 1954. He was originally hired as a bookkeeper and would advance in the company to the level of branch manager and district manager. He retired in 1985.

Gordon provided his family with the love of the outdoors, golfing, gardening, water skiing, camping, fishing, crabbing, and clamming.

Gordon is survived by his daughter Robyn Steers of Beaverton, Melissa Hedman of Portland, Christine McLawhorn of Plainfield, IL, his brother Arthur Hedman of Portland, his sister Aileen Clevinger of Portland, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and one great-grandchild on the way. He is preceded in death by his wife Peggy Hedman, his second wife Ruth Hedman and his son Jeffrey Hedman.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97201, USO 2111 Wilson Blvd. Suite 1200 Arlington, VA 22201 and Our Lady of the Lake Parish School 650 A Avenue Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

He will be buried at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland with full military honors.

For more information, please go to www.lincolnmemorialpk.com