Gordon Elliott Abshire
June 28, 1939 - October 29, 2005
Obituary
Gordon E. ABSHIRE
Gordon was born and raised in Idaho. He is a graduate of Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR, with post-graduate studies at New York University and Columbia University Teachers’ College. He will be interred in his hometown in Idaho. Although no funeral services in Seattle are planned at this time, a memorial celebration of his life will be scheduled for early 2006.
Gordon retired from a career in data processing with Boeing. Throughout his career, Gordon was a recognized expert in information management processes. He was particularly interested in the human and social implications of automation influenced by his earlier work in psychology and linguistics. He was actively involved in various community groups including the Greater Seattle Business Association, where he served on the Scholarship Committee, and the Bread of Life Mission in Seattle.
Gordon was a talented poet. A collection of Gordon’s earlier works, ”A Comfort of My Own Finding,” was published privately in 1971. Several of Gordon’s poems have been used as text for music compositions performed by The Esoterics, the Seattle Choral Company, the Bainbridge Chorale and the UW Summer Chorale.
He also enjoyed acting in his younger days, and sang with groups in Seattle such as the Seattle Men’s Chorus and the Seattle Choral Company. Gordon’s interests in the arts were wide-ranging, and he enjoyed Broadway shows, the ballet, symphonic, choral and jazz concerts. He enjoyed traveling, and had just returned from a vacation trip to Mexico prior to his passing.
Gordon Abshire was a witty and talented man who lived deeply and honestly. He will be missed by his family, including his brother Lynn Abshire and nephews, Mark Abshire, Matt Abshire and Tim Abshire, and his many friends. In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Scholarship Fund of the Greater Seattle Business Association, or the Bread of Life Mission in Seattle.
Visitation for Gordon will be held from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Saturday, November 5, 2005 at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel, 900 SW 146th Street, Burien. A graveside service will held at 1:00 PM Monday, November 7, 2005 at the Parkview Cemetery in New Plymouth, ID. Please sign the online guest memorial book at www.bonneywatson.com.
Gordon had a larger influence on my life than I was willing to admit while I was at Pacific University… I will always remember him fondly.
Gordon was a wonderful man who brought happiness to my life. He will be greatly missed.
Best friends we have been since meeting at Pacific U, and best friends we shall remain through eternity. You were an extraordinary person, Gordon. See you in that next great place while missing you terribly in this one.
Love and e-hugs,
Brenda
My first IT job after college
was for a small computer consulting company, working at their account in Northwest Portland, OR. Gordon was my supervisor. I soon learned that there was the wrong way, the right way, and the “Gordon way” to do things. And more often than not, the “Gordon way” was the best way. To this day I still do things the “Gordon way”. He really knew his stuff. That was back in the late 70’s, early 80’s. I hadn’t thought of him in years and was very saddened to read of his passing in the Seattle Times. Gordon was an amazing teacher and mentor. I’ll always be thankful for having known him.
I’ll always remember when Gordon was in Seattle Men’s Chorus. He usually sat behind me, and his incredible quick wit made us laugh constantly much to the consternation of Dennis Coleman. He always had a smile on his face, a wink in his eye and a warm greeting whenever we saw each other.
He’ll definitely be missed by so many of us…..
Gordon – I hug you from here….
Gordon, you were my rock and I don’t know what I would have done had you not been there for me before and after my knee surgery. We shared so many wonderful times together, beginning with those years at Pacific University. I am forever grateful to Boeing for bringing you back into my life. Love you, dear.
Our family was saddened to hear of Gordon’s passing. In 1968 he was the pianist at my wedding and also accompanied my brother, Bill Anderson. I felt privileged to have such a talented musician for my special day.
Gordon was such a wonderful gift to the Men’s chorus. I very much appreciated the musical pieces he commissioned for the chorus over the years.
Additionally, and in every way more importantly, he was my best glimpse into the impish world of the lower second tenors which seemed to fit him so well.
A dear man that has left our ranks too soon and will be deeply missed.
Thank you my dear Gordon for your love of life and your friendship. I will miss your laughter, your words of encouragement …your warm smile and hugs – Arnaldo
My thoughts go out to Gordon’s family. I am very sorry for your loss. Gordon was a one-of-a-kind. He was extremely smart and talented, funny, very generous, and lots of fun to have cocktails with! He enjoyed life to the fullest and it’s a real shame that his life was cut short. He will be greatly missed, but we will all have wonderful memories of him, and he will live on through his poetry.
Indeed Gordon – I join everyone else when i say you are a humor and wit that we’ll all miss in our daily lives. You made my years in seattle and in the men’s chorus one of a kind fun. You always lit up and called me “bobby” – a term I reserved for very few. You encouraged me to find my dreams – and I have. I love you and miss you.
I already miss you, Gordon. Your tremendous and sometimes wicked sense of humor will never be forgotten.
Goodbye, old friend. I’ll miss you. And so will McCafferty, the cat. I hope the tuxedo was a good idea. It seemed fitting for your final journey.
Love – Don
Gordon, You will be in our thoughts forever. We will miss you.
I went to school in New Plymouth, ID with Gordon and during our high school years we were in many muical groups together. He was a fantastic pianist and fun person to be around. I last track of him over the years, so did not realize his many accomplishments, but it is no surprise that he was a very successful person who participated in anything associated with music and acting.
Gordon was a dear sweet man who welcomed me into the Men’s chorus and into his life.
I am grateful to have known him.