Gordon D. Sexton
Gordon D. Sexton died in Kennewick, on Friday, March 25, 2010, after a long and courageous battle with various forms of cancer. He was 64 years old.
He was born in Clarinda, Iowa to Margaret and Francis Sexton. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 39 years, Sally; his step-son and daughter-in-law, Dennis and Linda Schoeneberg of Kennewick; his precious grandchildren, Shane and Sabrina (who he adored and loved to talk about their fishing adventures, loved watching, sharing, and talking about their school and sports accomplishments); his sister and brother-in law, Rosalie and Steve Edwards of Pullman; his brother David Sexton of Vancouver; his sister and brother-in-law, Becky and Jim Quinn of Stuart, Fla.; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Gordon suffered from heart disease at a young age and had a heart transplant 16 years ago. He then was able to lead a fairly healthy life for many years.
Gordon grew up in Klickitat County, after his parents moved the family to the Pacific Northwest from Iowa, living in Lyle and Wishram. As a young man, he excelled in sports, loved fishing and hunting, loved to play pool and race motorcycles. He was an excellent auto mechanic, always tinkering with and making old cars run.
After graduating high school, he worked a short time for Alcoa in Vancouver. He then followed the rest of his family and friends to the railroad industry, first working for the S.P.& S. Railway, then becoming a conductor on the Union Pacific Railroad. His career was cut short when he had to take a medical disability because of his heart condition. He endured several open heart surgeries, eventually spending eight months in Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane waiting for a heart donor. When the day came a heart was available for him and the surgery was a success, he was out of the hospital and on his path of recovery in 10 days.
It is Gordon’s wish that there be no funeral service. He has donated his remains for any organ usage, subsequently followed by private cremation services. He has requested that any donations made for him be given to the American Heart Association.
