Gordon Charles Thomas

Gordon Charles Thomas, Navy veteran of WWII and longtime resident of Mt. Shasta and more recently of Yreka, CA passed away peacefully in his sleep after a brief fight with advanced bone cancer. Gordon's story is of a life well lived, surrounded by the love of family, friends and community. Gordon was born in 1927 and is survived by his beloved wife, Glenda, of 41 years, children Deidre, Clint and Tim, 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Gordon, known as 'Gordo' to many, had a tremendous passion for life whether it was his family or his other great love, skiing Mt. Shasta. Gordon was well known for his many exploits climbing up the mountain to ski just about any part that would allow you to make a few turns. He would often climb and sleep high on the mountain in order to ski down the next day, sometimes sleeping at the top and skiing down Hotlum glacier with Fletcher Hoyt. There was a particular ledge at Red Banks where they would sit and wait while the sun turned the snow to corn snow, one of his favorite kinds to ski. Gordon holds the record for being the first person to climb and ski the north face of Shastina in 1968. Gordon was one of the first Mt Shasta Ski School instructors along with Ski School director Buck Martin and fellow instructors Russ Luddon, Stu Smith, Ron Giddings, Ann Harding, and Jennene Gerdes. Skiing and instructing were a large part of his life for many, many years and he continued to ski up to last year at age 83. He loved to arrive early in order to get the first lift up the chair and make the first tracks down. An avalanche destroyed the chairlift at the old lodge in 1978. That same day he climbed to the top of the lift and made 5 runs down in 4 feet of light powder. No lack of a chairlift would stop him from his passion. Gordon was never one to sit idle. When there wasn't snow on the mountain, he loved to kayak and raft on the rivers of Northern California and Southern Oregon. He even taught himself to wind surf in his 60's. Gordon and his wife Glenda loved to swing dance at night, and were members of the Cowboy Country Dancers in Yreka for many years. Gordon began his career with the California Dept. of Transportation as a surveyor and inspector. He helped survey Interstate 5 to be built between Mt. Shasta and the Oregon border. His family enjoyed teasing him about a noticeable bump in the freeway just outside of Weed where concrete meets asphalt. After they retired in 1980 Gordon and Glenda bought an organic apple orchard near Grenada and built a home. His grandchildren all fondly remember visits to the farm. It was the most beautiful well maintained farm on the hill thanks to his hard work and attention to every detail. Until very recently, Gordon could still be seen in the Yreka fitness club 3 times a week where he would urge on the other customers to stay in good physical condition. The fitness club provided him much happiness during the past several years. He especially enjoyed aerobics class. When he wasn't at the fitness club, he could often be seen puttering around Yreka on his green 1972 Honda 50 scooter, running errands. Gordon will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His warm smile and passion for life will continue to affect generations to come. Services for Gordon will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at Girdner Funeral Chapel in Yreka at 2:00 PM. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to the Madrone Hospice House, 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

Gordon Charles Thomas

January 9, 1927 - July 10, 2010