Obituary: Steinmetz, Gordon W.
At a young age his family moved to Coulee City, WA.
Gordon graduated from Coulee City High School and was a star athlete in basketball, football and track.
Gordon was so fast he earned the nickname, “Lightening”.
In 1964 Gordon left Coulee City and moved to the Portland, OR /Vancouver, WA., area where he worked for McCall Farm Chemicals.
For 12 years, Gordon owned A&G Dayton Tire in Vancouver, WA., and later The Tire and Wheel Barn in the Portland, OR, Vancouver, WA., and Tri-Cities, WA., areas.
Gordon married his high school sweetheart, Margie Leander on September 19, 1981; together they built Big Wally’s Store and Guide Service.
Gordon had a great love for Banks Lake and was an expert in the area.
Gordon and Margie founded the Annual Big Wally’s Spring Walleye Classic Tournament in 1995 adding the Annual Big Wally’s Spring Walleye Classic Scholarship in 2010.
Gordon established a successful guide business with Don Hall.
Upon his retirement in 2008, his nephew, Rick Rovegno took over the business.
Gordon was a member of the Coulee City Chamber of Commerce.
He served on the Washington State Fresh Water Fish Advisory Council.
Gordon also served with the Washington National Guard from 1966 through 1972.
Gordon volunteered his time with the Boy Scouts of America, Royal Rangers, and donated many hours to the area youth and the disabled teaching them to fish and share his love for the sport and the outdoors.
Gordon was a big supporter of the local high school sports teams.
His all time love was football and he and Margie have had season tickets for the Seattle Seahawks Football team for 21 years.
When Gordon and Margie retired they purchased a vacation houseboat on Lake Roosevelt where they spent countless hours on the lake fishing and spending time with friends and family.
His family would like to acknowledge that Gordon was blessed to have been involved in many lives.
He had a name or a story for each and every one of you.
Gordon is loved and will be missed by an incalculable number of family, friends, fisherman, children and dogs.
Gordon is survived by his wife of 32 years, Margie Steinmetz, his children: Brian Steinmetz, Wenatchee, WA., Alona (Chris) Jacobsen, Winnemucca, NV., Beth (Mike) Hylton, Brush Prairie, WA., Jay (Tammie) Steinmetz, Vancouver, WA., Michelle (Gary) Gerard-Heaton, West Richland, WA., Phil Johnston, Spokane, WA; His sister, Doris Rogers, Burien, WA; His grandchildren, Ryan Gerard, Brett, Eric and Evan Jacobsen, Brady and Emily Hylton.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Walt and Grace Steinmetz and son Mark Moobery.
Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday November 23, 2012 at Coulee City Assembly of God.
Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com.
Arrangements are by Jones & Jones-Betts Funeral Home.