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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Medford graduate new U.S. ambassador to Slovenia Restaurant Inspections A question of punishment Since You Asked: Valley could see magnitude-6 quakes if plate slips Emergency services, Feb. 15 Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, Feb. 15 Emergency services, Feb. 14 Police arrest robbery suspects who wore underwear as masks Purple Parrot robber sentenced Busy burglar still at large in Medford Politics and Elections Gov. Kitzhaber steps down, federal investigation begins Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Successor Kate Brown must run for election in 2016 Community leaders saddened by governor's departure Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Education A question of punishment Logos to receive a slice of Wes Howard Memorial Sports Park Medford School Board OKs full-day kindergarten Former superintendent sues district, board member Sharing black culture Environment Coho salmon road trip Mt. Ashland Ski Area celebrates snow Company fined for illegally dumping asbestos in White City Solar pavilion going up at Coyote Trails GMO opponents can join Jackson County in defending ban State News Oregon State Police trooper sues agency, alleges retaliation U.S. House panel seeks Cover Oregon documents Gov. Kitzhaber announces resignation Read Gov. John Kitzhaber's statement on his resignation Top Democrats call on Kitzhaber to resign Nation - World Obituaries F. Lee Flink Shirlee Gustafson (Johnson) John Andrew Kakouris Wilmer W. Robertson Trava Lillingston Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable This $1 million Mercedes is like an armored private jet for the road Sports Latest Stories Wiese, No. 8 Beavers shoot past Arizona Kids learned cheating from pros Class 4A power runs past Challengers Shepherd leads Pirates to district crown Eagles land district title Varsity 541 College Sports Wiese, No. 8 Beavers shoot past Arizona Kentucky equals best start in history Raiders grind out eighth straight win over OIT Bruins move into tie with victory over Ducks Beavers win in 10th on Nobach single Pro Sports Curry, LaVine win 3s, dunk contests Furyk goes on birdie spree, takes lead Aldridge to start in place of injured Davis James elected players' union vice president Snedeker, Jones tied for Pebble lead Community Sports Local Events Business Latest Stories Blog: Once Upon A Valentine's Day Medford airport flies past January record Carestream innovation opens new direction Cooperation, not confrontation Ride & Drive: 2015 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Real Estate News Housing prices climb 9 percent in Jackson County Big plans on the Butte Homes for the long haul New owners of Medford Center promise a hands-on approach: People In Business People in Business Transportation Medford airport flies past January record The heart of Brammo will remain Want to be an investor? Four companies will be pitching their plan to you Agriculture 1-800-Flowers dumps Harry & David execs Nine companies pitch investment opportunities in Medford Darigold to shutter Medford plant, putting 29 out of work Opinion Latest Our View: A sad end to a historic career Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15 Dana Milbank: Remembering the remarkable Kayla Mueller George Will: Curb your pessimism about terrorism Charles Krauthammer: Crusaders and appeasers Editorials Our View: A sad end to a historic career Our View: Time to end the vaccine exemption Our View: Hemp hemp, hooray — old crop is new again Our View: Maintaining a major community asset Our View: A small contribution to fairness Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, Feb. 15 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 13 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 12 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 11 Letters to the Editor, Feb. 10 Columns Dana Milbank: Remembering the remarkable Kayla Mueller George Will: Curb your pessimism about terrorism Charles Krauthammer: Crusaders and appeasers Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Dana Milbank: Bobby Jindal's unpleasant record Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Weed killers should not be sprayed on streams, homes Guest Opinion: Understanding Wes Cooley Guest Opinion: Smokers: Quit before this happens to you Guest Opinion: Our public school system is a stew pot of clashing ingredients Guest Opinion: How long will we look the other way? Lifestyle Latest stories Restaurant Inspections The waitress — Never stopping, never dropping Now’s a good time to plant a tree Happy returns to a Malibu trailer Adopt a Pet Food Restaurant Inspections The zwickels shall flow Community blog: Custard mashup omits scary step for amateurs Season Stepp: Prepare a steakhouse meal at home Tammy Kelly: Healthy at-home Valentine’s Day meals (and desserts) for two Home and Garden Now’s a good time to plant a tree Repair or replace your garage door panel? Dear Monty: Hot markets change agent behavior Carol Link: How to make sure yucca plants are gone Home Help: Repurposing garage doors into stunning walls with a view Health Community blog: Your Brain on Love Health Watch: The rise of wearable fitness tech Community blog: Are You Losing or Gaining on Your Investment in Health? Community blog: Simple Solutions Health Watch: Simple swaps for a healthy lifestyle Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, Feb. 13 RELIGION BRIEFS, Feb. 6 Religion News: Church of England consecrates first female bishop Religion briefs Religion briefs, Jan. 23 Milestones and Achievements New arrivals: Sunday, Feb. 8 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ayron Jones and The Way play Rocky-Tonk Brett Dennen plays the old Ashland Armory Blues Jam at The Little Brown Jug in Talent Theater Le Cirque presents 'City Walk' 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' 'Dames at Sea' opens at Oregon Cabaret Theatre Camelot presents Playwright Richard Manley's 'A Question of Words' Classics, premiers highlight '15 season for OSF Music Live Music in Local Clubs Roy Zimmerman's 'The Faucet's on Fire" Victor D. Infante: Just in time for Valentine’s Day, some favorite breakup songs Ayron Jones and The Way play Rocky-Tonk Brett Dennen plays the old Ashland Armory Community Events Southern Oregon Rod and Custom Show Ashland's First Friday Art Walk showcases new exhibits by regional artists Jacksonville celebrates Chinese New Year Comedian Susan Westenhoefer pulls no punches Paula Poundstone performs at the Craterian Dining The zwickels shall flow Soo Rah Korean Cuisine Stylish shareables are the feature at Brickroom Sandwiches and burgers are hits at The Rogue Chef The Vine offers a taste of Italy Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obituaries Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Magazines & Special Sections NEWS NOW Our View: A sad end to a historic career ... Medford graduate new U.S. ambassador to Slovenia ... Public meetings Feb. 16-20, 2015 ... Our View: A sad end to a historic career ... Medford graduate new U.S. ambassador to Slovenia ... Public meetings Feb. 16-20, 2015 ... Gary L. Van Gordon Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 8, 2015 @ 2:00 am Posted Feb. 8, 2015 @ 2:00 am » Social News Gary L. Van Gordon, of West Linn, Ore., passed away after a sudden illness January 24, 2015, at the age of 59. A man of good character and great humor, he would not want to be mourned with too many tears, but with love and laughter, and favorite stories of a life well lived. His intelligence, quick wit, mentoring, determination, ability to overcome any challenge, and gifted storytelling will be sorely missed. Gary was born and raised in Medford, Ore., to Lucian and Marjorie Van Gordon. He attended Medford schools, and graduated from Oregon State University in 1977. A long awaited son, he was, of course, dearly loved and spoiled by his three older sisters.This is no doubt where he got his strong self-confidence and amazing ability to win any argument. Full of mischief and loving pranks, Gary first gained notoriety as a streaker at Oregon State, as documented on the front page of the OSU newspaper.Following graduation and work as an AT&T account executive in both Portland, Ore. and Medford, he later turned this "naked ambition" into an innovative and thriving software solutions business with his friend and partner, Chuck Van Meter, developing interactive voice-response systems. His work at Interactive Northwest, Inc., located in Tualatin, Ore., has been widely praised within the industry. In 2005, Gary married his childhood sweetheart, Lori DuBay Ratto, who survives him, along with his children, Matthew Van Gordon and Alisa (John) De Clerck; and his step-children, Cara (Ryan) Caffall, John Ratto and Angela Ratto.Being a great father and grandfather were just two of his many talents. He loved the fierce competition of racquetball, and played often. But his greatest passion, other than Lori, was fishing. Known affectionately as Hogmaster by his fishing buddies, he spent countless hours on the river below his home, the ocean, or wherever there were "fish on!" His fishing stories were legendary among his cronies, particularly his hilarious "As the Impeller Turns" adventures of his alter ego "Arnie." We can only imagine what he and Arnie are cooking up now. Gary is also survived by his grandchildren, Krista and Kyle De Clerck; his mother, Marjorie M. Marks; his sisters, Judith Adler, Leslie (Randy) Hall, and Linda (Tom) McKinney; his children's mother, Diane Van Gordon; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, close friends, and racquetball and fishing buddies. No one was more loved, or loved more. A Celebration of Gary's Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Gary's memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), or the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA). MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 8, 2015 @ 2:00 am You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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