Gordon Harvey Lynn, 96, passed away on January 27, 2013 at Copper Hills House in Yuma, Arizona. He was born on June 7, 1916 to the late Harvey & Ethel Triggs Lynn.
As a youth in Rossland, B.C., Canada, Gordie went to work at the Trail Smelter to help his family when his dad was injured. At the smelter, he served a 5 year apprenticeship as a Patternmaker. His “shingle” was a most prized possession. During those years, he played La Crosse, ice hockey, skied and ski jumped.
While visiting Seattle in 1939, Gordon applied for employment with the Boeing Company and went to work the next day. He retired in 1976. His years at Boeing were rewarding and his off work years were too! In his 60’s he played field La Crosse with men half his age, then later played ice hockey and ultimately had an opportunity to compete in Charles Schulz’s “Senior World Hockey” tournament for 20 years ~ he and three others were the first 75 year old players in that tournament. During many of these years, Gordon was also a rockhound and lapidary. With his wife, he traveled British Columbia, Oregon, Washington and Montana, hiking and searching for rocks.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Dorothy Hanson and Ethel McFarland. Gordon is survived by his wife, Frances; daughters, Cheryl (Garry) Sletten and Kathie (Steve) Simmons; sister, Ruth Stapleford; step-sons Cris (Julie) Torp and Byron (Judy) Torp; grandchildren, Steve Schmidt, Rob (Cari) Schmidt, Carin (Tom) Haynes, Jef (Eugenia) Torp,, Donovan Torp, Wade Sletten, Leah (Kurt) Backman, Tony (Sandy) Watkins, Anna (Erik) Phillips, and Chris (Stacie) Simmons. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.
Gordon was a devoted husband and father, a beloved grandfather, a friend to many and an inspiration to all. He will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Thursday, February 7, 2013 at Copper Hills House, 12234 N. Frontage Rd. in Yuma.
For those considering memorials, the family is requesting that donations be made in Gordon’s memory to Hospice of Yuma, 1824 S. 8th Ave., Yuma, AZ 85364.
Arrangements entrusted to Sunset Vista Funeral Home.