Gordon Wayne Fredericksen age 76 passed peacefully at his home in Oroville, California on Tuesday, August 14th after a sudden and brief battle with cancer.

Gordon was born in Williston, North Dakota to hard working and loving parents Earl and Lillian Fredericksen. The oldest of four brothers, Gordon grew up with an appreciation of his father’s legendary work ethic and his mother’s compassion. He also developed a lifelong love of the outdoors during family vacations, hunting and fishing trips.

He graduated from Williston High School where his friends affectionately nicknamed him “Gordy”, a nickname that stuck with him among friends well into his forties. It was also during high school that Gordon developed a lasting appreciation of nice cars, especially all things Corvette. He belonged to several Corvette clubs over the years, and owned many Corvettes throughout his life.

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After two years of college, Gordon joined the United States Air Force in 1960. He traveled the world, and obtained his pilots license. He served as Third Officer and Loadmasters aboard a C-130 during the Vietnam conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1964 from Travis Air Base in Fairfield, California.

Vowing to never again endure a North Dakota winter, he settled in the San Francisco Bay Area.

In the summer of 1970 while living in Redwood City California he met the love of his life, a young Sue Jane Abernathy. After a whirlwind romance they were married in the fall of that year. They settled down in Redwood City and started a family of two sons. Earl born in 1971, and Kelly born in 1976. Gordon spent the summers camping in the Mendocino National Forest with his family and friends. He taught his sons the same appreciation for the outdoors that was instilled into him as a youth.

In 1982 Gordon and Sue realized a lifelong dream and bought a cabin in the Mendocino National Forest. This over the years would become the central gathering place for his family, and will continue to be for generations to come. It is where he was always most at peace.

In 1984 Gordon and Sue relocated to Belmont, California where Gordon started his own business as owner/operator of Fredericksen Trucking. Gordon was also very active coaching soccer and baseball in Belmont for many years. As they concluded raising their sons, they discovered in 1990 that grandchildren are way more fun! He was named “Gaga” by his grandchildren and from that point on, was forever known as Gaga.

Gordon and Sue retired in 2000 to Oroville, California. During 18 years of retirement Gordon enjoyed managing his new business Fredericksen Propeties. He also enjoyed boating, trips in the RV, many summers at the cabin of course, and driving his Corvette. But nothing gave him more joy than spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Gordon is survived by two of his three brothers, Richard and Scott. As his brother Daniel preceded him in passing. His loving wife of 47 years Sue, his two sons Earl and Kelly, six grandchildren, Courtney, Carissa, Cody, Hailey, Meghan, and Olivia. Three great grandsons, Jayden, Rhylan, and Justice.