Gordon Lewis Pottorff passed away peacefully September 19, 2022.

Gordon was born October 15, 1938 in Lamar, Colorado to Extine and Helen (Buatt) Pottorff. The family moved to Oregon during World War II and settled on a farm in Terrebonne in 1942, Gordon helped work the family farm and attended school in Terrebonne and Redmond.

After leaving high school, Gordon followed his beloved brother Harold to the Navy in 1956. Gordon was in the Navy for six years, serving on the USS Los Angeles, USS Leonard F. Mason and USS Pine Island. Gordon was able to be a part of the Rose Festival Fleet and have family and friends visit the ship. Gordon was honorably discharged in 1964.

Following his Naval service, Gordon moved to Portland and married Carolyn (Silveria) Pottorff in 1965. He graduated from Executive Barber College in 1966 and worked as a barber in the Portland area. His daughter, Neva Jo, was born in 1968. After his divorce, Gordon continued to work in the Portland area as a barber and also in construction.

In 1971, Gordon entered the Air Force. He served at various bases in the US and Europe. One of the first things he did at every new base, was find the barber shop and offer his services so he could keep his skills up and meet people. Other than when stationed in Alaska, Gordon always lived off base. He loved learning about new places and cultures and felt the best way to do this was to live locally. He also loved to have family and friends visit wherever he was. One of the things he was most proud of while in the Air Force was being a part of the construction of the west coast Space Shuttle launch site and MX Missile installation at Vandenberg Air Force Base. While in the Air Force, Gordon received the Air Force Commendation Medal with First and Second Oak Leaf Clusters. Additionally Gordon received multiple Certificates of Recognition and was a graduate of Noncommissioned Officer Leadership School. Gordon retired from the Air Force in 1985 having served his country for 20 years.

After retirement, Gordon returned to Portland and barbering. Always wanting to learn new skills, Gordon attended IITR graduating in 1989. He worked driving long haul truck for several years. A lifelong love of cooking next took Gordon to Western Culinary Institute to become a chef, graduating in 1991. Finding that cooking professionally was not as fun and creative as cooking for pleasure, he left the culinary industry. By then he felt it was time to move closer to where he grew up and moved to Redmond in 1992 and again returned to barbering. Having moved back to Central Oregon, Gordon was able to reconnect with many old friends and spent countless hours visiting folks all over the state. He never met a stranger, never forgot a friend, was always ready to lend a hand and was happiest when cooking for a crowd. It was during this period the need to learn something new sparked again. Gordon went to school to sharpen blades professionally. Everything from hair shears to chain saw blades, he did it all and loved being able to make a tool useful again.

Gordon finally retired for good in 2012 after his Parkinson’s made it impossible to cut hair. After that, he spent his time visiting friends, puttering around the home place and spending time with his brother Harold.

Gordon is survived by his daughter Neva (John) May, grandsons Robert Stumbo and Joseph (Janiya) Stumbo, brother Harold (Diann) Pottorff and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his brother Alfred Pottorff and his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Parkinson’s Foundation or the charity of the donor’s choice.