Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Gordon Ellis Black, 95, went home to be with the Lord, October 11, 2019. All four daughters and his wife were present. He was born in Waterville to Harry and Mary (Robbins) Black August 4, 1924. His siblings were Howard Black (Ardith), Maxine Schmidt (Deane), and Lois Branscom (Darel).
As a young boy he lived for a while in Adrian, Missouri. His family moved to Mansfield where he graduated in 1942. In June 1943 Gordon joined the Marine Corps and participated in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa as a radio man with the 1st Marine Division. He was always a proud United States Marine. Returning home he worked for Waterville Union Grain with his father.
Gordon married Colleen Wainscott in 1947. They had four daughters: Kathy Wade (Will), Denise Poole (Tom), Shannon Leander (KD) and Paula Young-Keeffe (Jim). He retired after 44 years from Central Washington Grain Growers as manager of the Mansfield Station. Gordon enjoyed many years of hunting and exploring Douglas County. Hunting, guns, and the great outdoors were his passions. He was well known for his uncanny skill calling coyotes. As Grandpa he taught his grandchildren gun safety, shooting and reloading. Being a clever story teller he would hold an audience captive with his humor and one-liners: “It’s mind over matter; if you don’t mind then it really don’t matter.” Gordon loved and entertained his grandkids; they can even recite his one-liners such as, “I take a bath once a week whether I need it or not!” He remembered the names of everyone he met and always had something good to say about them.
Survived by his wife, four daughters, eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, sister, Lois Branscom, and brothers-in-law Bill and Richard Wainscott (Norma).
Please join us in a celebration of Gordon’s life at: Mansfield School Gymnasium, November 2, 2019 at 1 p.m. Donations may be made to Mansfield Ambulance Fund or the Mansfield Museum.
Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guestbook at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements by Waterville Funeral Home.
