Gordon Woolsey
May 07, 2008
Gordon R. Woolsey, 63, of Des Moines died on Wednesday, May 7, 2008 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, May 12, 2008 at Hamilton’s near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 N.W. 60th Ave. Burial will follow at Highland Memory Gardens Cemetery. The visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, May 11, at the funeral home.
Gordon was born in Marion County on July 5, 1944 to Ira and Hallie Woolsey. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. In his younger years Gordon enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was an avid Civil War buff.
Gordon is survived by his wife, Janet; sons, Timothy Woolsey and Matthew (Erin) Woolsey; brothers, Marvin, Mervin and Frank Woolsey; sisters, Peggy Katzenburger, Clara Carter, Marilyn Woolsey, Caitie Shear and Mildred Woolsey. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Warren and sisters, Lucy and Wilma.
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com
"Mike" Huston
02/18/2024
Did Gordon go to North High School in Des Moines ?? Thx and RIP
Jerry M (Mike) Huston
02/07/2023
Did Gordon go to North High in Des Moines ??
Erin Woolsey
05/12/2008
I love you Gordon and I will miss you deeply! You have always made me laugh! Even when we ate at the table and you were absolutely not going to eat what Jan had made, since it was a "new recipe" you continued to put food from your plate to mine with out my noticing... until later, then you would laugh! And you still continued to do it! You will always and forever be in my heart!
There are memories of you that will be with me daily.
I can still hear you say in that deep voice of yours" Erin, How the hell are ya?" you will be missed by all who knew you, I believe that you were taken to a better place by the angels and you will be watching over us, always!
I love you and you will be greatly missed
Your one and only favorite daughter-in-law!!
Erin Woolsey
Jason Lynch
05/11/2008
Jan, Matt, and Tim. I was saddened to learn of the passing of Gordon. I know that it is very hard to lose a husband and a father especially one like Gordon. My prayers and condolences are out to all of you.
I know our families have not been close in many years as my parents (Ron and Pat) and my brothers (Tim and Rich)and I have since moved from Des Moines. But believe this, there are still many found memories of the times I spent with your family.
Jason Lynch
Natchez, MS
Robert Letterman
05/09/2008
My deepest sympathies go out today for Jan, Matt, Timmy and the family and friends of Gordon Woolsey. I was saddened yesterday to here of Gordons passing, but I know he is in a better place now and has been relieved of his ongoing health burdens.
I knew Gordon for only part of his life, but he knew me for my entire life. Im sure he must have held me in his arms when I was just a newborn with that smile of his on his face. I wonder if he could have imagined then that he would be holding my newborn son, Matthew, in his arms years later. Sometimes I wonder what he thought when he learned that I had named my son after his own rambunctious son. I sure hope he was proud.
I grew up with fond memories of Gordon. My mother, Mary Ellen, would take me and my sisters Janey and Theresa back to Des Moines at least once a year, if not twice. We would always have to visit Jan and Gordon, Matt and Timmy (as I call them). To this day, they all call me Bobby. It was very entertaining to be a fairly shy kid and all of the sudden I would be in Gordons world. I always felt like I was more grown up than I was just by being involved in a conversation that Gordon was having, even if it was just a few minutes before being shewed off by the other adults. They all knew Gordon would never tell us kids to go play because he loved us all and wanted us around as much as possible. Of course he would tease us kids relentlessly and I would again experience this years later when he would do the exact same things to my own children, Matthew and Brittany.
Many years and visits later, I was all grown up and I enjoyed my adult relationship with Gordon very much. I would always look forward to my visits with him and his family as laughs and good times were had by all. Gordon was the most captivating person I have ever known, people were just drawn to him, and he would always seem to be the center of attention wherever he was and I think thats how he shared his love for those around him. As he did his entire life, Gordon will continue to share his love by the memories and stories that will be told for many years to come.
God be with you Gordon, I will miss you greatly.
Bobby
Mary Robinson
05/08/2008
My heart is so sad and heavy today at the loss of my very dear friend Gordon. I first meant Gordon when I was a mere 15 years old and 41 years later I consider him to be a big brother to me. There were many, many times in my younger years that Gordon literally helped save my life. He was only a phone call away if I needed him and he never asked what I needed him for- he just came to help me.
Gordon was as big as life and that deep from the belly laugh of his never failed to bring laughter, smiles, and good times to anyone around him. He was a hard working family man and there was absolutely nothing he wouldn't do for his family as well as his friends. He called a spade a spade and you always knew where he stood on any issue or situation. Disagreements with Gordon often turned into lively debates but they were always good natured debates. The times that Gordon and my dad spent debating things were especially interesting not to mention quite entertaining. Putting two very verbal, out spoken men together like my dad and Gordon was always a site to behold!
Early on in our friendship Gordon began calling me "you little shit" and those words are as enduring to me today as they have been for the past 41 years. In return I called Gordon "you old man."
So, here's to you "you old man" who I loved dearly and will miss immensely. No one will ever be able to take your place in my heart because there is no one I have ever meant quite like you.
Your "little shit" forever,
Mary Ellen