Gordon R. Erickson died peacefully on July 1, 2010. He was born in Clinton on May 8, 1921 to Joe and Selma Erickson. He was preceded in death by his brother Donald in 1966.

Gordon graduated from Langley High School in 1939. He met the love of his life, Virginia (Ginger) Bell, at a Bayview dance, and they married and spent the next 70 years together. They raised four sons.

Early on Gordon worked on tugboats and the Washington State Ferries, earning his officer’s license, and then during World War II served in the Merchant Marine on ships in the North Atlantic and South Pacific as a second officer navigator and earning his master’s license.

After the war he owned and operated a fishing troller off the coast of Washington. He then went into the marine insurance business where he had a successful career in Seattle with DK McDonald Co. and LaBow, Haynes Co.

He later became involved in land development and used his ingenuity and drive to create three waterfront communities on South Whidbey; Whidbey Shores, Sandy Hook and Scatchet Head.

He and Ginger greatly enjoyed their family and friends on Bells Beach, as well as many other dear friends on Whidbey Island and beyond. They had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout the world, but they especially loved their many voyages to the San Juans, Canada and Alaska in their small cruisers Bay Run and O.O. Bear Tracks.

Gordon is survived by his wife Ginger Erickson. He was predeceased by his son Stanley (Sandy) Erickson in 2005. In addition to Ginger, he leaves behind his sons Dale Erickson, Bruce Erickson (Kathleen) and Joe Erickson and Sandy’s wife, Patti Erickson, and nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom loved him dearly and will miss him greatly.

There will be a graveside service at the Langley-Woodmen Cemetery at 2 p.m. Monday, July 12, followed immediately by a reception and celebration of Gordon’s life at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club.