Obituary of Gordon James Forsyth

Gordon James Forsyth, of Santa Cruz, CA, at 92 years old, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 2, 2014 at 9:33 AM from pneumonia. Gordon was born in Magrath, Alberta, Canada. He earned a Master's degree in journalism from Brigham Young University. He served in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and then joined the Army, where he served honorably for five years. Gordon served a two-year mission in New England for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from 1949-1950. He worked in journalism for the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Interior throughout his entire career, while living in Arlington, Virginia. He retired from the government in 1991, and later moved to California to be closer to his family there. Gordon moved from Martinez to Santa Cruz in 2004. At 84 years old, he met and married Phyllis Thevenon. They have been happily married for eight years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by LeGrand Forsyth, Nola Blackmon, and Monta Rae Jeppson (brother and sisters), four of his five children: Gordon Vaughn Forsyth, Karl James Forsyth, Janene Forsyth-Adema, and Heather Forsyth-Kehr, nine grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death is his first wife Nadene Dow Forsyth, and his son, Mark Dow Forsyth. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 5th at 5:00 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 220 Elks Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Gordon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He will be deeply missed by his friends, his church community, and his family.