Gordon “Gordi” J Middleton, 90, died on July 12, 2023. Born Gordon James Middleton to Alfred and Vivian (Bell) Middleton on March 5, 1933 in Friday Harbor, WA, he was the youngest of their four children. He graduated from Friday Harbor High School.
Gordi served in the US Air Force from 1952 to 1956, working as a jet aircraft mechanic and crew chief at Moses Lake AFB. Gordi married Esther Ewing in 1957, had 4 children, and lived in Seattle, WA where he worked for Boeing and in Sitka, AK, where he worked for Alaska Pulp and Paper Corp. as a technician. While in Sitka he owned a couple of boats for fishing, hunting and exploring the beautiful country. He became very interested in the local glaciers of the Baranof Mountains, took flights in order to photograph them, which led to him having an article published in Summit Magazine. This special passion for glaciers eventually earned him the nickname “Ice Man.”
In 1979 he returned to Anacortes, WA. He then worked at Georgia Pacific, Anacortes Plywood Co-op and did periodic maintenance at local refineries. In 1980 Gordi married Judith “Judy” Nisbet Davidson in Anacortes. Together and with their children they enjoyed nature through camping, hiking and observing wildlife. At home he loved working on the camper and yard, socializing, playing with his dog, birding, listening to music and walking.
Gordi is preceded in death by his parents, his son Stephen, his brothers: Clarence and Morris and his sister Doris Adkins. Gordi is survived by his wife of 43 years, Judy Middleton; daughters: Joni, Sandy (Jeff) and Kim (Wayne); stepsons: Jonathan (Dale), Tony (Meggan) and Andy; granddaughters: Candice, Lindsay, and Mikayla; step-grandsons: Nathan and Brody; and great-grandchildren: Adrian, Halo and Jackson.
We’d like to express our appreciation to the staff of Lighthouse Memory Care for their kind care of Gordi. Memorials are suggested to Anacortes Community Forest Lands, or a cause close to your heart. To share memories of Gordi, please visit: www.evanschapel.com/obituary/gordi-middleton.
