Gordon H. “Gordy” Anderson died July 12. He had been lovingly cared for at Island Health and Rehabilitation Center on Bainbridge Island.

He was born in St. Paul, Minn., on Aug. 3, 1927, the son of Theodore and Ida Anderson. At age 17, he entered the U.S. Navy; a few years later, once out, he moved to Havre, Mont. to secure a job as a radio announcer.

There, he met his future wife, Irene, to whom he was married for 55 years before she died in the fall of 2007.

For half of their married life, they resided in Billings, Mont., where Gordon enjoyed his days as a traveling salesman for the Yellow Pages. Several of the original crew members remained his friends until his death.

In 1975, Gordon and Irene moved to Spokane, where Gordon owned and operated The River City Tavern near Gonzaga University. It was a lively hangout for college kids and locals alike. He also worked at Betts Oil Company of Spokane for a time prior to retirement. In 2001, the couple moved to Poulsbo to be closer to their daughter, Wendy, her husband, Brian, and their girls.

Gordon will be remembered by all who knew him as an extremely kind, gentle, selfless and gregarious man; as his daughter often said, “He is everything that is good in this world.”

He saw life, even its obstacles, in a positive light. He always valued family above all else and adored and was devoted to his grandchildren.

He never missed his granddaughter Jacqueline’s soccer games at Bainbridge High School or his granddaughter Lauren’s many ballet recitals through Bainbridge Dance Center. He made people feel important when in his presence.

He is survived by his sister, Delores Meihack of West Point, Ga.; his brother, Harold Anderson of St. Paul, Minn.; his daughter and son-in-law Wendy and Brian Danzig and their children, Jacqueline and Lauren, of Bainbridge Island; and his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Heidi Anderson and their children, Hanna and Jack, of Linwood, N.J.

In lieu of a funeral, his life was celebrated at the home of Wendy and Brian Danzig, who wish to extend their gratitude to Lexi and the staff of Island Health and Rehabilitation Center for their loving, attentive care.

An online guest book is at www.cookfamilyfuneralhome.com.