Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
On Sept. 17, 2018, Gordon Elner Helyer, age 84, passed away at the hospice house in Albany, Ore., with his family by his side. Gordon was born on the family farm near Kent, Ore., to Elner and Olive (Adams) Helyer.
Gordon grew up raising horses and, at 10 years old, in support of the WWII effort, he broke a horse named Blue Sky that served in the Calvary. Gordon penned a letter to President Roosevelt to inquire about Blue Sky’s fate. In response he received a letter from the war department, explaining that his horse died in 1944 due to a broken leg.
Gordon was the youngest brother of four sisters, Virginia, Myrtle, Bertha, and Norma Jean. Being the youngest of four sisters, he was continually doted on. Gordon attended Vale High School and later moved and graduated from The Dalles High School in Oregon, meeting the love of his life, Verda “Dawnie” Dickson, while he was working at a downtown filling station. Gordon married Dawnie on June 12, 1954, in The Dalles, joining the Army near the end of the Korean War. Gordon served for two years in Ulm, Germany, where he and Dawnie traveled throughout Europe, including Holland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy and France they collected charms for their nieces along the way.
Upon his return from Europe, Gordon worked at Payless along with helping his brother-in-law, Art Fletcher, in his orchard near Odell, Ore. Later, Gordon was employed by H.S. Smith Co. as a route salesman and eventually became assistant manager. Gordon and Dawnie had rental properties and later each started their own businesses; Helyer Insulation and Mode O’Day. They loved boating, snowmobiling and spending time with their family and traveling to Thailand with friends. Gordon had a booming voice, an infectious laugh, and a million dollar smile.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife Dawnie of 46 years in 2000 and son Todd in 1992. Gordon continued his travels, going to Alaska, Arizona and points in between. While in Yuma Ariz. in 2001, Gordon befriended Elizabeth Kay Piva; as widowers they found a blossoming relationship that continued to grow in love until his death. Gordon and Kay enjoyed spending their winters in Yuma, and their summers traveling to see friends and family in Oregon and Idaho, creating many fond memories.
Gordon is survived by oldest son and wife, Mark and Kim Helyer, and youngest son and wife, Lynn and Kella Helyer; grandchildren, David, Amanda, K-Lei, Katherine, Grace and Sarah; great-grandchildren, Lilly, Harper, Francisco and Gabriel.
Graveside service is at noon on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, at the Odd Fellows Cemetery 1100 W. 18th off Cherry Heights Road, reception to follow at the Shilo Inn.
Donations in Gordon’s name may be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice House 4600 Evergreen Place S.E. Albany, Ore. 97322.
To plant a tree in memory of Gordon Helyer as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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