Gordon Leitch, 90, a long-time Sedro-Woolley resident, passed away Sunday, April 15, 2007 in Sedro-Woolley after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Dec. 21, 1916 in Underwood, Minn., the son of Stafford Leitch, Jr., and Magda J. (Rockstad) Leitch. He was raised on a farm in Underwood with his five sisters and four brothers. He attended the Leitch Family School, The Yellow House and the C.C. Camp in Waterville, Minn., completing the eighth grade.
In 1937 Gordon moved to Seattle. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army doing construction on the airport in Germany.
Gordon worked as a heavy equipment operator, working on many construction sites in the state, including the North Cascades Highway and Interstate 5, and in Alaska on the Fairbanks Airport and the Trans Alaskan Pipeline. He was a member of and worked through The Operating Engineers Union, Local 302 in Seattle, from which he retired having 61 years with the organization.
He was united in marriage to Aimee Gertrude Zeismann in Reno in 1955 and they made their home in Coupeville for 22 years. They then traveled in their motor home for eight years before finally settling in Sedro-Woolley.
Gordon was always smiling and joking, a hard worker and a family man. He enjoyed telling stories to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about his life. He had a passion for the water, boating, fishing and crabbing. He also enjoyed traveling in his motor home until he lost his eyesight, and his biggest enjoyment came from raising a garden and growing tomatoes with his granddaughter Aimee.
Gordon is survived by his two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandy and Craig Fischer of Sedro-Woolley and Florence and Donald Leatherwood of Winlock, and his son and daughter-in-law, Meryl and Mary Gordon of Coupeville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Russel, Tracy, Susan, Terri, Michael, Kreig, Lisa, Aimee and Ashley, and two great-grandchildren, Cabe and Lilly; one sister, Margie Bauer in Minnesota; one brother, Robert Leitch of Warrington, Ore.; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Babe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 52 years, Aimee in February 2007; four sisters, Lyla Harrison, Ella Martin, Lillian Ramstead and Irene Neilson; three brothers, Stafford, Hendry and Jerome Leithch, and two infant twin daughters.
A special thanks to Skagit Hospice and to the staff at Clayton House AFH for taking such good care of Gordon. We don’t know what we would have done without you.
Memorials are suggested to Skagit Hospice or to the Clayton House AFH in Sedro-Woolley.
At Gordon’s request there will be no funeral services. The family will have a celebration of life at a later date. Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley. Share memories of Gordon and sign the online guest book at www.lemleychapel.com.
