Ray Gordo

Born December, 19, 1922 in Merced, California, Frank "Ray'' Gordo lived a full and fruitful life, and passed away peacefully on May 5, 2010. He was founder of Gordo's Draperies and Gordo's Pool City, Inc. and did business in Stanislaus and neighboring counties for over fifty years.

Beloved father and husband, Ray was married to Shirley Gene Gordo for over fifty-two years. Ray is survived by his four great grandchildren, Jay, Emily, Lily, and Grace Gordo, four grandchildren, Jason and his wife, Tracy, Jeff, Hayley, and Paul, and four children, Bruce Gordo, and his wife, Debora, Pam Kellstrom and her husband, Scott, Steve Gordo and his wife, Susan, and John Gordon and his wife, Bonny. After fifty-two years of marriage, his wife, Shirley, who was his faithful partner and beloved mother of his children, preceded Ray in death. Ray was the last of his brothers and sisters, Glenn, Frankie, George, Jackie, Johnny, and Darrold.

The family lived in Mariposa County, including El Portal just outside of Yosemite National Park where his father, Frank Gordo, was postmaster during the Depression. With his wife and children, Ray would often share stories of life in Mariposa County, including many of the colorful characters of Yosemite Valley, and ranchers, and miners throughout Mariposa county. Growing up in Mariposa County also helped make Ray an avid outdoors man, who taught his children outdoor skills and provided them with many such experiences.

During World War II, Ray served as a U.S. Navy Sea Bee in the 92nd Construction Battalion on Tinian island, where he drove a Caterpillar D-8 bulldozer to help build airplane runways and was able to see the off-loading of a large container, which he believed may have been one the atomic bombs, from the U.S.S. Indianapolis, which shortly later sank. While off-duty on Tinian island, Ray would spend many hours talking with and flying, during ''check-out flights,'' with B-29 crews. While temporarily at Pearl Harbor, Ray was witness to what was referred to as "The Second Pearl Harbor'', the explosion of Landing Ship Tanks (LST) ships, which were loaded with Marines of the Third Marine Division for the invasion of Saipan island. Ray remained very patriotic towards and grateful for our country and was proud of his son Bruce, who, during the Vietnam War, served with honor in the United States Marine Corps.

Throughout his life, Ray loved flying and first sought to be a pilot in World War II, but was rejected because of color-blindness, which, ironically, later in life, made him an especially effective spotter for the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Aero Posse (now Aero Squadron) for which he volunteered after he retired from full-time work at Gordo's Pool City, Inc. He also became a private pilot and was known affectionately as 2/10's,'' since he would typically fly only 2/10's of one hour, several times a week.

The Gordo family is grateful to all of the medical staff who performed successful procedures and prolonged Ray's life. We are sad at his passing, but understand that his time had come. Having a brother with disabilities, caused Howard Training Center to be one of Ray's favorite charities as Howard Training Center helps people with developmental disabilities learn and apply vocational and functional skills. One of the caregivers, Ozzie Johnson, for Ray's disabled brother, Johnny, was particularly excellent and appreciated by Ray's entire family.

We are proud children of one of the Greatest Generation, who survived the Great Depression and served their country during World War II. We are also proud of how he built a successful business and raised a wonderful family. He and our mother, Shirley, successfully pursued and lived the American dream. We will always love you both and will always miss you. Dad you were one of a kind, life will never be the same without you.

Remembrances may be made in Ray's name to: The Howard Training Center,1424 Stonum Road, Modesto, CA 95351

Phone: 209.538.4000