March 12, 2010 5:00 pm
(0) Signatures
July 19, 1942 — March 7, 2010
David Ralph Gilson, 67, passed away peacefully Sunday morning at home after a valiant fight with cancer.
Born in Lebanon, he was the older brother of John Gilson and the son of the late Ralph Gilson and Alice Ginther Gilson Lance. His father and uncles owned Gilson Hardware in Lebanon, where Dave grew up attending Queen Anne Elementary School and Lebanon Union High School, where he graduated in 1960.
He was married to the late Karen Christensen Gilson from 1974 to 2006. He married Jan Hosking Aitkin in 2007, moving back from Lake Oswego to his hometown of Lebanon.
Dave graduated in 1970 from Chemeketa Community College with an associate degree in science. He was designated as the "Most Outstanding Student" in the School of Fire Protection and graduated first in his class. He worked as a firefighter with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue District for 23 years, retiring in 1992 as a lieutenant. He was also a skilled carpenter, owning Dave Gilson Carpentry for 18 years, and spent countless hours putting his love for this craft into projects including custom remodeling, cabinetry, tile, vinyl, laminate installations and decks.
Dave loved life and had many hobbies he delighted in. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time working in his shop. He loved his dog, Shadow, who spent many days working alongside him. He was very involved in union activities and was secretary of Local 1660 of the International Association of Fire Fighters from 1973 to 1976 and secretary-treasurer of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council from 1976 to 1979, where he was actively engaged in union and lobbying activities for the Oregon fire service. He was also in the Oregon National Guard.
Besides his activities, Dave was an excellent husband and grandpa. He cared deeply for his family and simply adored the time he spent with his grandchildren. Dave leaves behind many close friends and family members. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.
Surviving are his wife, Jan Aitkin Gilson of Lebanon; five stepchildren, Amy Rappe and husband Tom of Lebanon, Mike Aitkin and wife Kris of Hermiston, Marc Aitkin and wife Jami of Lebanon, Jennifer Puentes and husband Ismael of Lebanon, and Sarah Aitkin of Sandy; and 13 stepgrandchildren. Dave never had any children of his own but was adopted by and loved the Aitkin family as his own. He is also survived by his brother, John of Westport and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, his parents and his beloved dog, Shadow.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Dave's life at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lebanon Free Methodist Church. Interment will be at Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon Firefighters Community Assistance Initial Response System (LFCAIRS) at 1050 W. Oak St., Lebanon, OR 97355.
Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
(0) Signatures
July 19, 1942 — March 7, 2010
David Ralph Gilson, 67, passed away peacefully Sunday morning at home after a valiant fight with cancer.
Born in Lebanon, he was the older brother of John Gilson and the son of the late Ralph Gilson and Alice Ginther Gilson Lance. His father and uncles owned Gilson Hardware in Lebanon, where Dave grew up attending Queen Anne Elementary School and Lebanon Union High School, where he graduated in 1960.
He was married to the late Karen Christensen Gilson from 1974 to 2006. He married Jan Hosking Aitkin in 2007, moving back from Lake Oswego to his hometown of Lebanon.
Dave graduated in 1970 from Chemeketa Community College with an associate degree in science. He was designated as the "Most Outstanding Student" in the School of Fire Protection and graduated first in his class. He worked as a firefighter with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue District for 23 years, retiring in 1992 as a lieutenant. He was also a skilled carpenter, owning Dave Gilson Carpentry for 18 years, and spent countless hours putting his love for this craft into projects including custom remodeling, cabinetry, tile, vinyl, laminate installations and decks.
Dave loved life and had many hobbies he delighted in. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time working in his shop. He loved his dog, Shadow, who spent many days working alongside him. He was very involved in union activities and was secretary of Local 1660 of the International Association of Fire Fighters from 1973 to 1976 and secretary-treasurer of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council from 1976 to 1979, where he was actively engaged in union and lobbying activities for the Oregon fire service. He was also in the Oregon National Guard.
Besides his activities, Dave was an excellent husband and grandpa. He cared deeply for his family and simply adored the time he spent with his grandchildren. Dave leaves behind many close friends and family members. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.
Surviving are his wife, Jan Aitkin Gilson of Lebanon; five stepchildren, Amy Rappe and husband Tom of Lebanon, Mike Aitkin and wife Kris of Hermiston, Marc Aitkin and wife Jami of Lebanon, Jennifer Puentes and husband Ismael of Lebanon, and Sarah Aitkin of Sandy; and 13 stepgrandchildren. Dave never had any children of his own but was adopted by and loved the Aitkin family as his own. He is also survived by his brother, John of Westport and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, his parents and his beloved dog, Shadow.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Dave's life at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lebanon Free Methodist Church. Interment will be at Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon Firefighters Community Assistance Initial Response System (LFCAIRS) at 1050 W. Oak St., Lebanon, OR 97355.
Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
March 12, 2010 5:00 pm
(0) Signatures
July 19, 1942 — March 7, 2010
David Ralph Gilson, 67, passed away peacefully Sunday morning at home after a valiant fight with cancer.
Born in Lebanon, he was the older brother of John Gilson and the son of the late Ralph Gilson and Alice Ginther Gilson Lance. His father and uncles owned Gilson Hardware in Lebanon, where Dave grew up attending Queen Anne Elementary School and Lebanon Union High School, where he graduated in 1960.
He was married to the late Karen Christensen Gilson from 1974 to 2006. He married Jan Hosking Aitkin in 2007, moving back from Lake Oswego to his hometown of Lebanon.
Dave graduated in 1970 from Chemeketa Community College with an associate degree in science. He was designated as the "Most Outstanding Student" in the School of Fire Protection and graduated first in his class. He worked as a firefighter with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue District for 23 years, retiring in 1992 as a lieutenant. He was also a skilled carpenter, owning Dave Gilson Carpentry for 18 years, and spent countless hours putting his love for this craft into projects including custom remodeling, cabinetry, tile, vinyl, laminate installations and decks.
Dave loved life and had many hobbies he delighted in. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time working in his shop. He loved his dog, Shadow, who spent many days working alongside him. He was very involved in union activities and was secretary of Local 1660 of the International Association of Fire Fighters from 1973 to 1976 and secretary-treasurer of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council from 1976 to 1979, where he was actively engaged in union and lobbying activities for the Oregon fire service. He was also in the Oregon National Guard.
Besides his activities, Dave was an excellent husband and grandpa. He cared deeply for his family and simply adored the time he spent with his grandchildren. Dave leaves behind many close friends and family members. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.
Surviving are his wife, Jan Aitkin Gilson of Lebanon; five stepchildren, Amy Rappe and husband Tom of Lebanon, Mike Aitkin and wife Kris of Hermiston, Marc Aitkin and wife Jami of Lebanon, Jennifer Puentes and husband Ismael of Lebanon, and Sarah Aitkin of Sandy; and 13 stepgrandchildren. Dave never had any children of his own but was adopted by and loved the Aitkin family as his own. He is also survived by his brother, John of Westport and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, his parents and his beloved dog, Shadow.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Dave's life at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lebanon Free Methodist Church. Interment will be at Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon Firefighters Community Assistance Initial Response System (LFCAIRS) at 1050 W. Oak St., Lebanon, OR 97355.
Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
(0) Signatures
July 19, 1942 — March 7, 2010
David Ralph Gilson, 67, passed away peacefully Sunday morning at home after a valiant fight with cancer.
Born in Lebanon, he was the older brother of John Gilson and the son of the late Ralph Gilson and Alice Ginther Gilson Lance. His father and uncles owned Gilson Hardware in Lebanon, where Dave grew up attending Queen Anne Elementary School and Lebanon Union High School, where he graduated in 1960.
He was married to the late Karen Christensen Gilson from 1974 to 2006. He married Jan Hosking Aitkin in 2007, moving back from Lake Oswego to his hometown of Lebanon.
Dave graduated in 1970 from Chemeketa Community College with an associate degree in science. He was designated as the "Most Outstanding Student" in the School of Fire Protection and graduated first in his class. He worked as a firefighter with Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue District for 23 years, retiring in 1992 as a lieutenant. He was also a skilled carpenter, owning Dave Gilson Carpentry for 18 years, and spent countless hours putting his love for this craft into projects including custom remodeling, cabinetry, tile, vinyl, laminate installations and decks.
Dave loved life and had many hobbies he delighted in. He enjoyed traveling, fishing and spending time working in his shop. He loved his dog, Shadow, who spent many days working alongside him. He was very involved in union activities and was secretary of Local 1660 of the International Association of Fire Fighters from 1973 to 1976 and secretary-treasurer of the Oregon State Fire Fighters Council from 1976 to 1979, where he was actively engaged in union and lobbying activities for the Oregon fire service. He was also in the Oregon National Guard.
Besides his activities, Dave was an excellent husband and grandpa. He cared deeply for his family and simply adored the time he spent with his grandchildren. Dave leaves behind many close friends and family members. He was loved by many and will be missed dearly.
Surviving are his wife, Jan Aitkin Gilson of Lebanon; five stepchildren, Amy Rappe and husband Tom of Lebanon, Mike Aitkin and wife Kris of Hermiston, Marc Aitkin and wife Jami of Lebanon, Jennifer Puentes and husband Ismael of Lebanon, and Sarah Aitkin of Sandy; and 13 stepgrandchildren. Dave never had any children of his own but was adopted by and loved the Aitkin family as his own. He is also survived by his brother, John of Westport and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Karen, his parents and his beloved dog, Shadow.
There will be a memorial service and celebration of Dave's life at 11 a.m. Monday at the Lebanon Free Methodist Church. Interment will be at Crescent Grove Cemetery in Tigard at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lebanon Firefighters Community Assistance Initial Response System (LFCAIRS) at 1050 W. Oak St., Lebanon, OR 97355.
Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
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