James L. Gordon 1920-2010

James L. Gordon, 90, of Cody died peacefully at home Aug. 17, 2010.

Jim was born May 30, 1920, in Ashland, Wis., to Allan and Anne Halvorson Gordon. He grew up on the shores of Lake Superior. Jim and his brother Allan were raised by their grandparents Sarah and Edward Gordon due to the untimely death of their mother. The Gordon family owned and operated Gordon's Business College in Ashland during his youth and prior to World War II.

Jim enlisted in the Army Air Corps, now the Air Force, in 1941. He served in Australia and New Guinea during WWII. He was able to visit Washington D.C. on the Wyoming Honor Flight last September. Jim loved and fought for his country.

After the war he returned home and met and married Velma Novak. They raised daughters Linda, Debbie and Marilee. They later divorced.

Jim worked for Frontier Refining Co. in Denver and accepted a transfer to Cody in 1968 when Husky Oil purchased Frontier.

In 1975 he met and later married the love of his life and best friend Jo. They had 34 wonderful years together.
Jim retired in 1983 from Husky Oil and he and Jo were able to travel throughout most of their years together. Jim was an avid fisherman all his life. He loved camping, backpacking into the back country for fishing trips, and also fishing trips to Canada.

He took great pride in his home and dearly loved his family. He had a quick smile and always had a story to tell. Jim was a scholar, reading and learning every day. He was known as "The Answer Man" to his family because if you wanted to know something, just ask daddy or grandpa. Jim will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife Jo of 34 years, daughters Linda (Don) Tomasek of Johnstown, Colo., Marilee (Larry) Johnson of Cody and Marlene (Tom) Edman of Salt Lake City, 12 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Allan Gordon and daughter Debbie Gordon-Starkey.

A viewing will be 5-7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Ballard Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Aug. 20 at Ballard's with burial to follow at Riverside Cemetery with military honors.