Gordi Middleton Dies; Former Sitkan was 90
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- Created on Thursday, 20 July 2023 11:35
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Gordon “Gordi” James Middleton
Former Sitkan Gordon “Gordi” James Middleton, of Anacortes, Washington, died on July 12, 2023. He was 90.
He was born March 5, 1933, in Friday Harbor, Washington, the youngest of four children of Alfred and Vivian (Bell) Middleton School.
Gordi served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 to 1956, working as a jet aircraft mechanic and crew chief at Moses Lake Air FB.
Gordi married Esther Ewing in 1957, had four children, and lived in Seattle, Washington, where he worked for Boeing and in Sitka, where he worked for Alaska Pulp Corp. as a technician.
While in Sitka he owned a couple of boats for fishing, hunting and exploring the beautiful country. He became very interested in the local glaciers of the Baranof Mountains, took flights in order to photograph them, which led to his having an article published in Summit Magazine. This special passion for glaciers eventually earned him the nickname “Ice Man.”
In 1979 he returned to Anacortes. He then worked at Georgia Pacific, Anacortes Plywood Co-op and did periodic maintenance at local refineries.
In 1980 Gordi married Judith “Judy” Nisbet Davidson in Anacortes. Together and with their children they enjoyed nature through camping, hiking and observing wildlife. At home he loved working on the camper and yard, socializing, playing with his dog, birding, listening to music and walking.
Gordi was preceded in death by his parents, his son Stephen, his brothers Clarence and Morris, and his sister Doris Adkins.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy Middleton; daughters Joni, Sandy (Jeff) and Kim (Wayne); stepsons: Jonathan (Dale), Tony (Meggan) and Andy; granddaughters Candice, Lindsay, and Mikayla; step-grandsons Nathan and Brody; and great-grandchildren Adrian, Halo and Jackson.
“We’d like to express our appreciation to the staff of Lighthouse Memory Care for their kind care of Gordi,” family members said.
Memorials are suggested to Anacortes Community Forest Lands, or a cause close to the heart. To share memories of Gordi, please visit: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/gordi-middleton.
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