GORDON CLIFFORD FLECK

Gordon Clifford Fleck was born on May 27, 1948 in Mount Vernon, Washington to Clifford and Margaret Reid Fleck. Our sweet Gordon lost his six month battle to lung cancer on December 7, 2011 at home in Richland, Washington surrounded by a family who loved him so much.

Gordon graduated from Concrete High School in June, 1966 and was active in sports including football, basketball and baseball. While in school, he met and fell in love with Janis Beth Knecthel. After graduating from high school, they eloped to California and married on September 24, 1966. Within a year, they returned to the Skagit Valley where Janis and Gordon began their little family, son Rodney blessed their home in 1967 and Jennifer was born in 1969. As a young husband and father, he worked construction at the refinery in Anacortes. Sadly, Janis, young mother and wife, was diagnosed with lymphoma and passed away December 5, 1971. After her passing Gordon continued to work in the Skagit Valley as a carpenter and even built a new home for his family as part of his training.

He and his family moved to the Tri-Cities just prior to the collapse of the WPPSS construction projects at Hanford. He continued to work in the Tri-Cities in both the construction trades which included working for Classic Builders as a carpenter/estimator for many years. Most recently he owned his own remodeling company, Atom Restoration/Remodel. He closed his business in 2007 and went to work for Goodwill Industries of the Columbia where he was responsible for the maintenance of the seven stores. He loved his job at Goodwill and made so many friends.

He had a great love of sports with his passion being NASCAR as well as baseball with his favorite team being the New York Yankees. He coached many baseball teams in the Sedro-Woolley and Tri-City area for many years. He also loved the roar of the hydroplane races each summer.

In July, 1987 he met Laurel Nielsen Berg and they were married on August 22, 1987 yes, a very short courtship in Idaho, and they were sealed for time and all eternity in the LDS Temple in Bellevue, Washington on March 28, 1998. Gordon was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints serving in many capacities; his favorite was being a Primary teacher to the sweet youngsters of the Ward.

To his children he would lend a helping hand to the project or challenge they were facing in his own special way. He would text his grandchildren about grades, new dates, sports events and dances. He loved his grandchildren so much and loved watching as many of their sporting events as possible. We will all miss his teasing, his sparkling brown eyes and his ready smile. He taught us all so much and he will be in our hearts forever. Gordon never met a stranger, only friends who hadn't yet had the pleasure of meeting him. Anywhere he went, he would strike up conversations with people he met, and engage a lively discussion full of jokes and chuckles. Fatherly advice on everything from how to fix a leaking faucet to proper drywall techniques to car repairs were readily offered with the occasional witty remark provided for free. He also loved the outdoors, including hunting, riding ATVs, walking the beaches, and just being in the woods looking for wildlife.

He is survived by his wife Laurel, children Rod & Cheri Fleck, Alana & Parrish Jones, Rhonda & Reese Femreite, and Jennifer Fleck; grandchildren Anastasia, Emma-Grayce, & William Fleck; Trevor, Adam, and Kyle Jones; Madison, Cooper, and Martin Femreite; Sierra, Joey, and Serenity Fleck; sisters Sandra & Ray Shively, and Bonnie & Neil Hall, nieces Ginger, Angel, Brandi, Brittany, and nephew Jeffrey. He is also survived by mother-in-law, Dorothy Knechtel, brother-in-law John and Barb Knechtel, sisters-in-laws, Francis Zuege, Marilyn Ragsdale, Sharon and Wes Sturgis, Val and Duane Lee and their families, as well as the many he loved, mentored and coached. He is preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Janis¸ father-in-law William Knechtel and mother and father-in-law Gordy and Leone Nielsen.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 10, at 10:00 AM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 895 Gage Blvd. in Richland, Washington. Viewing will be held at Einan's Funeral Home on Friday, 9 Dec 2011, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Memorial donations can be made to the LDS Missionary Fund c/o Bishop McAllister at 895 W. Gage Blvd., Richland, WA, 99352; or Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 2108 W. Entiat, Kennewick, WA 99336.