Obituary for CMSgt. Everett Gorton, USAF (Ret.)
Everett Gorton was born March 2, 1930 in Winooski, Vermont to Bernice and Forest Gorton. He attended school at St. Michael’s Catholic School in Brattleboro, Vermont.
He married his childhood sweetheart, Phyllis Nixon, on May 10, 1952, a marriage that lasted nearly 64 years.
Everett joined the Air Force in 1949 and served for 25 years focusing on communications and training, with active duty in both The Korean Conflict and Vietnam War. Along with inspiring thousands of young recruits during his training years, he helped build the global communications network that preceded the current satellite network. He completed his service at the Pentagon in 1974. Because of his time in the Air Force, Everett’s children were proficient CB and Ham Radio users, and could bounce a quarter off a perfectly made bed.
After retiring from the Air Force, he earned his Master’s in Education from Saint Mary’s University. For the next 20 years, he instilled his fascination of science as a teacher for students at Lackland Middle School and Saint Matthew’s School. After retiring from teaching, he served as a Deacon in the San Antonio Archdiocese at Saint Vincent de Paul and was instrumental in founding Saint Padre Pio as one of their first Deacons.
He loved to travel with his wife Phyllis and after retiring they spent summers in Vermont, often bringing friends to their home in Brattleboro. Everett’s hobbies included fishing, camping, cooking, running, astronomy, Ham and CB radios, singing, and mostly teaching and inspiring the younger generation. When he would sing at church his beautiful tenor voice would fill the building. His greatest joy was spending time with family. His legendary lasagna was always a favorite at family gatherings.
Everett passed away on November 12, 2018 and was preceded in death by wife Phyllis, sister Marion, and parents Forest Gorton and Bernice and Arthur King.
He leaves behind his five children and their spouses: Jay Gorton, Jan and Darrell Steidley, Michael and Shelley Gorton, Jill and Don Vermeulen, Mary Begia Henderson and Damon Henderson, grandchildren Jeffrey Gorton, Erin and Mark Chan, JR and Amanda Steidley, Wayne Steidley, Tasha and Angel Leon, Jason Chronis, Alaina and Max Gangestad, Landon Gorton, Lance Gorton, Liz and Eddie Vermeulen-Wise, Kat Vermeulen, David Vermeulen and Ani, Blake Begia and Ryan Begia, Great-grandchildren Orin Steidley, Violetta Chan and Baby Gangestad. Additional family members Christine Gorton, Roger Nussle, Traci Nelson, and Bruce Begia. His brother and sister in-law Ronald and Sandra Gordon, sister Elizabeth (Betty Poudrier) and many beloved nieces and nephews from the Gorton and Nixon families.
His family would like to thank the dedicated nurses and staff at Kindred Hospice and Kindred Inpatient Unit for their compassionate care and the dedicated caring staff at Mission Park Funeral Home.
A Funeral Mass with Full USAF Honors will be held Monday November 19 at 2:15 pm at The Shrine of St. Padre Pio Pietrelcina Catholic Church, 3843 Bulverde Parkway San Antonio Texas 78259.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Padua Place 80 Peter Baque San Antonio TX 78209 or a favorite charity. |