Gordon VanFossen
July 31, 1929 - January 04, 2012
Obituary
Gordon W. VanFossen, 82, passed away January 4, 2012 at his home in Billings, Montana. He was born July 31, 1929 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the son of Helen (Wagner) and Clarence M. VanFossen. Gordon attended schools in Tulsa, graduating from Central High School in 1947. He then went on to graduate from University of Tulsa with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He married Patricia Gladson on March 26, 1948. They had three children. He worked as a Petroleum Engineer and lived in Elk City, OK; Casper, WY; Houston, TX; Glendive and Billings, MT. He worked for Shell Oil, Spellman Prentice, Great Northern Drilling and Cenex, and did consulting after he retired. He and Patty were long time members of Grace United Methodist Church. Patty passed away in 1998. Gordon enjoyed hiking and being in the Montana mountains. He sang in many choirs and participated in many service organizations, including many years of service to the Boy Scouts. Gordon married Ruth Pitcher in 2000 in Red Lodge, MT. They lived there for several years until they moved to the Mission Ridge Retirement Home. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents and his first wife, Patty. He is survived by his wife Ruth, of Billings; three children, Susan (Larry) Iacopini of Billings; Steven (Jan) VanFossen of Missoula; Shevin (Tim) Stewart of Meridan, Idaho; six grandchildren, Tracy (Iacopini) Brockman of Houston; Vince (Cindy) Iacopini of Billings; Dax VanFossen of Kalispell; Ali (Matt) Mandell of Helena; Drew VanFossen of Missoula; Jennifer (Matt) Hall of Kent, Washington; six great-grandchildren and one on the way. He is survived by brothers, Gary (Dorothy) VanFossen and Kent (Lynda) VanFossen of Tulsa, OK and many nieces and nephews. Service: Memorial Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 14, 2012 at the Mission Ridge Retirement Home. Private interment will take place at Mountview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 2100 6th Ave. N. Billings, MT 59101.
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Memories
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Connie Genger (formerly Clarke)
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My sympathy to you and your family in the loss of your father. Connie
DP
Deanne Swain Pitcher
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Dear Ruth , vonFosson and Pitcher children, My heartfelt sympathy for your loss . I have always heard only the kindest things of Gordon. May God comfort you at this time and enlighten your wonderful memories. All our love, the Bill Pitcher family
LD
Linda Downs
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My thoughts are with you in your loss. I know that you will be surrounded by strong family support. Kent and Lynda Kay have been "family" to me almost forever as were their parents, and they are the best very best family. Though I don't know Gary and Dorothy as well, I know the family is a close and loving one.
RP
Ron Pearson
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Sue and family: Sincere condolences to you and your family on the passing of your Dad! My Mom, Pauline Pearson, and your Dad were colleagues at CENEX for a brief number of years. They played bridge quite often, and for a period of time, Gordon gave Mom rides back and forth between Billings and Laurel. She speaks highly of your Dad, as do other ‘CENEXers’! Mom plans to attend Gordon’s memorial on Saturday.