Gordon Cameron Goheen

Gordon Cameron Goheen December 26, 1939 ~ June 17, 2017 Gordon Cameron Goheen passed away June 17th, 2017 after a courageous battle with pancreatic and liver cancer. He was surrounded by his best friend, soulmate and loving wife Kaye Goheen and his beloved daughter Cindie Swonger. Gordon said there was no silver bullet but he fought hard for his family. He was born at home in Battle Ground, WA December 26th, 1939. Gordon attended U.S.A. Infantry Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA and Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Fort Sill, OK. In 1969 Gordon worked as a Grain Inspector for the state of Oregon, an Officer in the U.S. Army. Gordon discovered a love of flying and after 3 hours of flight instruction he soloed and got his pilot license. He taught pilots how to fly and later he had a contract with Loomis Courier with several pilots flying checks to multiple airports in Oregon and Washington. Gordon loved planes and often bought and sold them. In 1985 Gordon retired from operating his small commuter air service. His most rewarding achievement "aside from marrying Kaye", was attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and having commanded a Field Artillery Battalion for 3 plus years. He taught at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth and at the University of Nevada. Gordon was a retired pilot and belonged to the WA Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserves, and had received military awards including the Legion of Merit, Meritorious service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, National Guard Battalion Commander Army Reserves Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. He retired from military service in 1988. Gordon loved the ocean and he and Kaye would often travel abroad on their boat sailing the ocean. He loved traveling to any place that was warm and on the ocean. He loved watching his grandchildren grow into the courageous, caring, respectable and kind-hearted adults they have become. In 1989 Gordon became un-retired when his oldest daughter Cindie talked him into purchasing a daycare center. At first Gordon thought she was crazy, but he soon fell in love with the children and volunteered daily as the chef and bus driver. Gordon enjoyed cooking and driving the Little Tigers bus with music blaring and kids singing until he was diagnosed with cancer. He was preceded in death by his parents, Laurine Green Goheen and Grover Cleveland Goheen; brothers, Don Goheen and Vernon Goheen; sisters, Gladys Mitchell, Barbara Deming and Beverly Mattox. Gordon was also preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Amber Goheen Harlan, who passed in 1995 after a courageous battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Kaye Goheen of Battle Ground; daughter, Cindie Swonger and son-in-law, Mark Swonger of Yacolt; son-in-law, Donnie Harlan of Longview; two wonderful grandchildren, Jason Cameron Swonger of Battle Ground and Christie Kaye Swonger of Battle Ground; his sister, Dorothy Roland of Vancouver, WA; brothers-in-law, Jack Miller and his wife, Allie of Battle Ground, David Miller of Vancouver, WA; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Goheen of Poulsbo, WA and Beverly Goheen of Battle Ground; and numerous nieces and nephews. Gordon is also survived by some incredible and special friends that we know he holds dear to his heart: Jody and Debbie Maddox of Patterson, WA, Jean Westrand and her late husband, Jerry of LaCenter, WA, Carol and Jerry Kays of Spokane WA, Hal and Jackie Jones of Battle Ground, WA; Little Tigers Preschool and Daycare staff, students and parents from 1989 to present. He loved his family very much and would do anything for them. Gordon was a very generous, kind, and loving man with a big heart made of gold. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends but we know he is flying high above us watching over us like he loves to do. The service for Gordon Goheen will be held Saturday, July 15th, 2017 at 12:30p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. A short gathering will be held directly following the service in the hospitality room at the funeral home. There will be a viewing July 14th from 12:00p.m. to 9:00p.m. Following the gathering a Full Military Honors Burial will be at Lewisville Cemetery. Everyone is welcome to join us in Honoring, Remembering and Celebrating the great, loving, caring, generous and kindhearted man Gordon was and will continue to be to those that knew him so well. There is no special attire or dress code but suggested colors to wear are RED, WHITE AND BLUE! If you would like to send flowers, please have them sent to the funeral home, and if flowers are not your thing and you would like to do something else, we ask that you make a donation to a military charity or military organization of your choice.

Gordon Cameron Goheen

December 26, 1939 - June 17, 2017