Gordon Magel

On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Gordon Magel was called home to his everlasting rest, safe in the arms of Jesus. Gordon grew up in the challenging times of the depression in unfortunate circumstances. He was raised by his faithful and virtuous mother Hester Vines Magel, along with his 2 sisters Betty and Joan. Hard times resulted in them living in a rough neighborhood. When he was 10 years old and his friends were engaging in mischief, Gordon chose to go to the YMCA. If memberships were given out then, he would have held the longest membership record! Whatever Gordon set his mind to do, he excelled at with no one paving his way. His first sport at the Y was basketball, like his mother before him playing on a team in her youth in Alabama. Then it was hand ball, but when he was introduced to tennis, that became his passion and he enjoyed the courts into his 9th decade! He kept active in the winter as well. Racquetball became his ‘instead of tennis’ seasonal sport. But to preserve his right arm for tennis he developed his left arm for that game. Barely anyone could win against him, but little did they know he was playing with his wrong hand. He loved cycling as well and became an avid photographer for special events to special families. His family lived by faith and remained on solid ground attending First Baptist Church through hard times and good.

In the 1950s he joined a band called Wally Read & the Goldtones that ended up being the #1 band in Regina. He played the bass guitar, a hobby he enjoyed for the rest of his life. But the loves of his life were his nieces and nephews, his sisters’ children, Patty, Nancy, John, Danny, Dougie and Paul. Although separated by distance, they remained close through cards, letters and phone calls. He was their ‘favorite uncle in Canada’. As they married and had children of their own another family came into Gordon’s life which would end up a special bond bearing the title of ‘special grandpa’ to Alana & Tim.

Gordon was extremely generous, especially to the disadvantaged. A sentiment close to his heart from his own childhood. He will be deeply missed by his community of friends he also adopted into his family.

Although Gordon has many trophies from the Lakeshore Tennis Club, the most important one is he is a Trophy of God’s grace, saved by grace, now enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. “Auf wiedersehen” Uncle Gordon & Grandpa Gordon, till we meet again. (PS: our PeKing Duck meals will never be the same without you).

A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 1:30pm at First Baptist Church, 2241 Victoria Avenue, Regina, SK