Obituary of Gordon Dirk Van Ochten

1938 - 2009

Gordon went to eternal rest suddenly and painlessly in his own home, just as he would have wished, on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 71 years of age.

Gordon was born on June 10, 1938 in Regina, Saskatchewan. Gordon was raised on the railroads extra gang house until he was 7 years old. His favourite story was about how he could stop a train with one of his mom's pies from the time he was just 5 years old! He and his family settled in Creston and Gordon attended a church school. Gordon's favourite educational aspect came from the local farms and machine shops, however! Gordon met and married Josephine when he was just 19 years of age. Josephine was just 16 years old at the time. Despite family predictions, Gordon and Josephine had 50 years of wedded bliss until Josephine passed away on December 11, 2007 at 67 years of age. Gordon was multi-talented. It was due in part to his unusual upbringing. Gordon raised his own family on the farm, with his carpentry jobs and by logging. After retirement, he dedicated his life to volunteering in Cranbrook for the Diabetes Association and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

It is about his time that Gordon found his calling….and he then spent 20 years dedicated to the Cranbrook Food Bank. For most of his adult life, Gordon was very active in his church serving as handyman, deacon and ordained elder and treasurer for the past 20 years. Gordon's passing will leave a large gap in the community.

Gordon is survived by his son Les; daughters: Nancy and Jean and daughter-in-law Marion.

He was predeceased by his loving wife Josphine and son Micheal. A memorial service for Gordon will be held on Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 1:00 pm at the McPherson Funeral Home in Cranbrook.

A reception will follow at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Cranbrook located at: 300 - 6th Avenue South. Donations in honour of Gordon can be made to the: Cranbrook Food Bank Society, 104 - 8th Street, Cranbrook, British Columbia, V1C 2K5.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service.Condolences for the family can be offered at:www.mcphersonfh.com