Gordon W Brainerd

Gordon W Brainerd of Covington died peacefully in his sleep on Jan. 24 in Auburn. He was 84.

He was born in Detroit, Mich. May 2, 1928, the second son of D.H., Sr. and Ethel Brainerd.

He was proud to have served in the Merchant Marines during World War II, and was an engineer for more than 25 years with Hughes Aircraft Company.

Brainierd’s faith in God and love for his family were the touchstones of his life.

Whether singing in choirs, serving on committees, or being actively involved in projects, he was always an active member of his church community, serving God not only through always seeing the best in others but also through his actions.

As a father, devotion, compassion and sensitive assistance to others was the legacy he worked life-long to pass on to his family and, as the end of his life approached, by their very actions, and in one of his last lucid conversations as Alzheimer’s finally claimed his mind, his family was able to assure him in absolute confidence that he had succeeded.

He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother D.H., Jr., the love of his life, Shirley, to whom he was devoted for the 46 years of their marriage, and his beloved grandson Houston Eugene Lyons.

Gordon is survived by his three daughters, Linda Holter and her husband Richard Arellano, Nancy Lyons, and Terry Wilcox and her husband Clark Wilcox; his grandchildren Tisha Chatwin and her husband Dennis Chatwin, Erin Holter and Justin Wilcox; and great-grandchildren Kelsey, Kayla and Max Chatwin and Travis Clay Mitchell.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Canterbury House for their warm friendship and compassionate care during Brainierd’s stay.

A memorial service will be held at Hope Fellowship in Maple Valley at 6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 16.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the United States Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Association & Foundation or the Northwest Baptist Association.

For more on the life of Gordon Brainerd, see www.greenwoodmempark.com.