Gordon Sidney Johnson Hale

Our Dad, Grandfather and Great Grandfather, Gordon Sidney Johnson Hale passed away early Monday August 11, 2014. He passed peacefully, surrounded by loved ones. Dad was born in Bridlington, England May 25th 1920. He grew up in an era surrounded by farms, small villages, horse carts and gas lights. He was a boy scout, a baker's helper, meter reader and photographer. When WWII broke out he, like many others, joined for the duration in a battle against evil. He served in the Royal Air Force as a medic with service in North Africa, Italy and the Middle East, particularly in Palestine. Toward the end of the war he met May Talbot and they were married in 1947. They lived their early married life in Luton, England. Their first adventure brought them by the steamship Samaria and train with 2 small children to an out of the way place called Utah. Such a journey typically took 2 weeks! Can you imagine that! Their marriage lasted 62 years until Mum's passing in 2009. Through their marriage Dad worked at the University of Utah as the business manager in the Chemistry Dept. Mum and Dad were always proud of us 5 kids and we seemed to always be exploring some new area of the Western US, enjoying many picnics, car drives and vacations. Mum and Dad loved the Oregon Coast and spent many happy vacations discovering book stores, antique shops and agate beaches. He loved reading and learning and never stopped educating himself on current events. Mum and Dad made great friends and memories at Mount Olympus Senior Center, where Dad enjoyed greeting both new people and the regulars. They loved spending time there. With Mum's passing in 2009 Dad became associated with St Paul's Episcopal Church and made many friends and was well loved. He enjoyed renewing his faith journey. After Mum's passing, Dad met and became close with Patricia Latkowski, his companion during his last few years with us. They both lived at Park Lane Senior Residence Living. They enjoyed each other's company and we are ever grateful for their love for one another. Our family would like to thank Parklane for the compassionate care and support they offered both Dad and our family during the time that he made his home there. Many thanks to Cornerstone Home Health for their devoted care. Thanks also to Dr. Stephen Wood for 40 years of caring for Dad. Many thanks to the ministers of St Paul's for keeping the ties that bind with Dad when he could no longer go to church services. Gordon is survived by his children Lesley Crossland (Jim), Christine Wilfahrt (Howard), Valerie Larsen (Ed), Stephen Hale (Cindy), and Russell Hale (Cheryl). He is also survived and loved by dozens of Grand Children and Great Grand Children and he knew the names and birthdays of all of us. He always enjoyed visits from the family. Dad, like many of the "Greatest Generation" lived through a time from candle light to computer magic. We may never again see the length and breadth of change that this generation sheparded us through. We are ever grateful for your trust, strength and guidance. We will try not to let you down. A church service and celebration of his life will be held at St Paul's Episcopal Church, 261 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday August 15 at 1:00 with remembrances and refreshments in the Parish Hall following the Service. In Lieu of flowers, Dad would have suggested a donation to St Paul's Church or food pantry. He enjoyed giving to the food pantry and felt like it helped people where they needed it. Message of condolence can be posted at: www.holbrookmortuary