Gordon Marshall, loving Husband to Anne, passed away peacefully at Mill Creek Village Kelowna on February 19, 2022, surrounded by his wife and family.
Gordon is survived by wife of 72 years Anne; his children Colleen (Greg), Gene (Cindy), Jeff (Lori), Lindsay (Gord), and son-in-law Bruce (Eileen); eleven grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by daughter Patricia (Pam) in 1989.
Gordon was born in the Kelowna hospital on October 12, 1928, to Adal and Lewis Marshall. He was the fourth son and twin to the fifth son Elwyn and is the last of the brothers to pass on. He was raised in Glenmore and was involved in the daily life of the family farm. So began his love of the land and orchard.
After graduating from KHS he attended the University of Saskatoon, graduating in 1950 with a diploma in Agriculture. In May 1950 he married the love of his life Anne Reed, whom he had had his eye on since they rode the bus together as teenagers. She was from an orcharding family too, so they were a match made in heaven, and they worked side by side on their orchards in Glenmore and Winfield.
Gordon was very involved in the industry with the BCFGA, Vernon Fruit Union and Kelowna Growers Exchange. He was innovative with many changes in orcharding such as installing the first drip irrigation system (which he won an award for) and replacing regular fruit trees with dwarf tree systems. He was also very involved with Rotary and was a proud member of the Kelowna Capri Chapter. Through Rotary he acquired friends worldwide.
He was a very passionate and hardworking man. Gordon enjoyed hunting with friends and family over the years, loved nature and the wild places. Gardening became a special hobby, and he loved begonias and orchids. As technology evolved, he was interested and curious and was often found Googling on his computer (one of the very first Macs) and sending emails. He loved his cocker spaniels, music, cooking, travel, genealogy and history.
Gordon was a devoted family man; loving and sensitive. He treated everyone as an equal, no matter age, race, socioeconomic status, everyone was equal in his eyes. He was involved in his children's and grandchildren's well-being and activities. His home was always open to anyone who needed an oasis where they could safely be heard and loved. He was a great mentor.
Gordon was a gentleman to the end and will always be remembered as such.
"The fabric of our family has been altered but remains strong thanks to his love"
Many thanks to the wonderful staff on the Kalamalka community at Mill Creek Village, who lovingly cared for him so well.
The Private Funeral Service for Gordon was held Friday, March 4, 2022 at 2 pm. The service is for immediate family only. Please join the livestream available at St Michael's and All Angels YouTube channel at: www.youtube.com/c/TheCathedralChurchofStMichaelAllAngels this link will be available for viewing for a short time following the live stream
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Gordon's name to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation www.jdrf.org/donate, or Rotary www.rotary.org/en/donate (Please ensure you select Canada so you get tax receipt).
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.springfieldfuneralhome.com
