Gordon Fisk
October 29, 1924 – October 13, 2015
Gordon Fisk passed away, after a brief illness, at Swedish Hospital on October
13, 2015. Gordon was born October 29, 1924, in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, to Henry
Clay Fisk, Jr. and Erla Simpson Fisk of Hyde Park, Vermont, and baptized in the
Second Congregational Church of Hyde Park, Vermont. He had one sister, Ruth.
The family moved to California when he was two years old. He was raised in
Downey, California, and attended the Methodist Church (no Congregational).
Gordon graduated from high school in 1943 and joined U.S. Navy. After discharge
in 1946 he worked at the Downey Champion weekly newspaper and for a few
months at the Desert Barnacle weekly newspaper in Coachella, California. It was
advertised as the most low down newspaper in the country, published 69 feet below
sea level. Gordon was editor, only reporter, photographer and assistant press man.
In 1949 he enrolled in the University of Southern California, getting a teaching
credential.
In 1951 Gordon married Clare Swartz. They met at the First Unitarian
Church in Los Angeles. Two sons came from this marriage. Steve and Ben were
born in 1954 and 1956. The marriage lasted 27 years. Clare and Gordon remained
in touch until her death in May 2009.
After graduation Gordon taught in the Los Angeles school system for about
a “thousand Years.” Somewhere along the way he became involved with the Sierra
Club and did lots of hiking and backpacking in the mountains of Southern California
and in the Sierra Nevadas.
Gordon moved to Vashon after retirement in 1989. He joined the Burton
Church, and met Myrna Ober who became a good friend– the best friend he ever
had– until she died in October of 2007. The church and Myrna were two great
things in his life. Gordon made numerous friends on the Island. He had a regular
routine to head down to the Burton coffee stand, park by the boat dock and watch
the water.
Gordon was fond of starting up conversations. He was always reading, researching
and writing about subjects that interested him.
Gordon is survived by His two sons Steve of Seattle, Ben (Kazue) of San Jose,
California and Singapore and Grandson Buck of currently in Japan, also his sister
Ruth Ryan in San Clemente, California.,as well as many friends on Vashon.
Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com
Memorial Event to be held on December 13th at 2:00pm at The Burton Lodge, Vashon, WA
Please see Gordon Fisk’s Memorial Facebook
Link https://www.facebook.com/groups/RememberingGordonFisk
Paid Obituary.
