Gordon Cormier
February 04, 1943 - February 14, 2018
Obituary
Gordon Cormier passed away peacefully on February 14, 2018. He was born February 4, 1943 in Billings, Montana to Joe Albert and Margaret (Roberts) Cormier, then living in a log cabin about 18 miles south of Billings. His family lived in Billings during school and on the ranch in the summer. He attended Fratt Memorial Elementary School and Billings Central Catholic School, graduating in 1961. He attended Montana State College (renamed “University”) to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree in Range Management. During which he joined the advanced Army ROTC and was commissioned a Lieutenant in the artillery branch of the U.S. Army. He began active duty November of 1966, and was discharged from active duty in September of 1968. Gordon was awarded a Purple Heart and a Silver Star for his valor and leadership when wounded in action on June 22, 1968. After 5 weeks in the hospital he returned to Montana for the rest of his recovery. Though relieved of his combat duty he continued to serve in the Army Reserve finishing the end of June 1972. During that time he earned another degree in Geology at MSU in Bozeman. From 1972 to 1986, he worked for the Bureau of Land Management as a Geologist at the Field Office in Miles City and St. George, Utah after which moved to Billings. Gordon kept a diary during his tour of duty which had been packed with his belongings and stored after he was hospitalized. Someone miraculously found them and sent to the Billings address written inside one of the Diaries not knowing if the soldier had been wounded or killed in action. These two small precious books were mailed to Gordon while he was recuperating. He was ecstatic. Back in Billings he was ready to start a new phase in his life. While unpacking he found his 1971 manuscript based on his Vietnam diaries and thought that it had “too many flaws…the most glaring, its incompleteness.” It was then he decided to “rewrite the manuscript making it an improved, more readable product…about this autobiographical slice of my life.” EVERYONE HAD HIS TURN: an Odyssey Through the Vietnam War and Beyond was published in 2006. In the spring of 1988, Gordon met Nancy Clawson, a school teacher, at a dance. Because she taught in Hardin and lived in Billings, and a single mom, she would not be much of a distraction to the serious task of research and writing. During the summer they enjoyed travel and hiking, especially in the Beartooth Mountains and in Yellowstone Park. In July of 1990, Gordon and Nancy were married at the Mt. Republic Chapel in Cooke City. Travel, backpacking, photography and writing added to his passion for war history and the Vietnam War. He researched and documented his family genealogy and maintained travel journals from1973 to 2009, relentlessly rewriting, making his works “more readable” as well as fact checking documents and maps. He was a practical man and paid due diligence to his investments and kept up with world and local events with the Wall Street Journal and Billings Gazette. Gordon was preceded in death by a baby sister, his parents, and brothers, Jerry and Gary. Those left to honor his memory include his wife Nancy; step son Alejandro Hernandez; brother Gene Cormier; the Cormier wives, Ingrid and Cheryl; nephews Jeff, Todd, Brett, John and Scott; and Roberts, Vandal and Cormier cousins as well as Nancy's family. Most especially he will be missed by the Blodgett & Downer families who surrounded him with love through the many celebrations and adventures as he was slip-sliding away on his journey through Alzheimer's. Gordon embraced his Catholic faith, and enjoyed the faith communities at the Molt church, and Mount Republic Chapel. Gordon was loved by his caregivers and Nancy graciously thanks all of you for your support and caring. Memorials may be sent to: Alzheimers Association: https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=32112&32112.donation=form1&Operation of Hope: https://www.operationofhope.org Operation of Hope Foundation: https://www.operationofhope.org Billings Catholic Schools: https://www.billingscatholicschoolsfoundation.org/ways-to-give/ Carlee Downer memorial fund: https://www.campmimanagish.org/index.php/memorial-contributions Mt Republic Chapel of Peace: http://mtrepublicchapel.org Billings YMCA. https://billingsymca.org
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Memories
SG
Sue Glidden
Other •
Dear Nancy and family, We are so sorry to learn of Gordon's passing and his struggles with memory loss in the preceding years. We remember many good times and laughs shared across the counters of the Cooke City Store! You are in our thoughts and we hope the memories you and Gordon made together at the cabin and surrounding Cooke City area bring you solace. Hugs of healing love, Sue and Ralph Glidden
MC
Marilynn (Mari) Cormier
Other •
As the younger girl cousin I remember going to Joe and Mug's house and visiting the basement where the boys lived. I never knew what to expect.....i was always intrigued at what Gordy would be working on, or what kind of experiment he was doing. Given he was 10 years older than me, as an adult I didn't know him well. I do remember he was quiet, and introspective. Nancy, although I don't know you I am so glad that you and Gordon found one another, and that you cared for him so tenderly during the last few years of your life together. Bless you.
MG
martin g. griffith
Other •
I worked with Gordon at the BLM office in Miles City in the 1980s. He was a kind human being and a tremendous historian and geologist, I always enjoyed working with Gordon and playing cards in our card group! God Bless and Prayers.
WV
William Volk
Other •
Gordon and I worked for BLM at the Miles City District Office. We spent months together in the summer of 1979 doing SVIM inventory on public lands in SE Montana. We used helicopters, flying out of Ft. Howes near Ashland Mt. Most memorable were the hours spent discussing Vietnam and razzing each other about culinary skills as we were our own cooks and living in FS trailer houses on the Custer NF. A quiet Professional. RIP brother.