Gordon Wayne Branstator
Gordon Wayne Branstator was born to Mr. and Mrs. George Branstator on December 22, 1944 in Warsaw, Indiana and passed away on December 17, 2014 in Oregon. He spent his first 12 years on a farm in South Whitley, Indiana before moving to Portland, Oregon in 1957 where he finished his schooling at Parkrose High School. Gordon was very active in high school, notably president of the senior class and played tuba in the band.
A forecast of his future happened when he was 14 years old. He was featured in the Oregonian with his 200 varieties of fuchsia plants that he was growing in a homemade greenhouse that his father made for him.
Upon graduating in 1964, Gordon joined the National Guard with a stint at Fort Ord in California. While at Fort Ord, Gordon became a Mormon at age 18 and later between 1969 and 71, he spent his Missionary Assignment in Japan. Gordon loved the culture that he was experiencing. He spent most of his time in Fukushima and Sendai but was disheartened in 2012 when most of both cities were destroyed by the tsunami.
Returning to the states, Gordon enrolled at Western school floral design where he specialized in the Ikebana classes. He was soon hired by “Oliver and Thompson”, where he became the Head Purchasing Agent for four stores. This led to extensive travel, through mostly Asian countries, learning designing ideas while purchasing for his company.
After 25 years of loving his job, Gordon retired in 1996. First thing he did was to purchase a small travel trailer and hit the road. He went to California, Utah, Arizona and many other states all the while traveling with his beloved dog Maggie, a shiatsu that Gordon had adopted in 1985 as a puppy. Maggie lived for 17 years giving Gordon much love and companionship.
In 2005, Gordon met Frank Zornado, his devoted life partner of 10 wonderful years. They were very good friends as well as partners in every sense of the word. In 2008, they purchased a home in Milwaukie to be closer to their aging parents. Gordon and Frank were known for their wonderful dinner parties and backyard soiree’s.
Gordon was a generous, thoughtful, creative soul. Gordon bought, renovated and sold 16 homes. He loved his new cars! Never to sit still, he flew to Tennessee once a year to catch, freeze and return with huge packages of fish. He loved razor clamming at the coast. Once a year, in the woods, in secrecy, he went searching for his beloved morel mushrooms.
Gordon was preceded in death by his father George, his brother Byron and many of his dear friends. He leaves behind his devoted life-partner Frank, his niece Heidi Grant, her husband Cory Grant and many other cousins and wonderful friends.
Gordon's life and legacy will be celebrated at Ainsworth United Church of Christ,
2941 Northeast Ainsworth St. 9721 on
Saturday, April 11 at 2PM, followed by a gathering in the church hall afterwards.
Flowers are welcome. He asks that any gifts to be given, be in his name to the “Ainsworth United Church of Christ Fellowship and Service Organization”, or the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Animal (ASPCA).
Private interment will be at Lincoln Memorial.
