NELL, Gordon

(Age 71)

Passed at his home surrounded by his children on October 28, 2009 after a four year battle with bone cancer.

Gordon was born on August 22, 1938 in Pueblo, Colorado to Fred and Lillie Clasby. He graduated from Selah High School in 1956 before enlisting in the Coast

Guard, an experience that included a stint at the Point Wilson Lighthouse in Port Townsend, Washington. He received an honorable discharge as Seaman First Class in 1962. Mr. Nell also served in the National Guard from 1971 to 1972.

Gordon joined the Yakima County Sheriff's Department in 1972 and served until 1981 before a disability forced him to retire shortly after earning sergeant status. He then earned an Associates degree from Yakima Valley Community College and a Bachelors degree from Central Washington University in criminal law in 1983. He then moved to Spokane where he lived until moving to Wenatchee in 2004. Gordon retired from the Washington State Attorney General's office as an investigator in 2000.

Gordon was an avid motorcycle enthusiast. His passion for the open road began in the 1970's and continued right up until his final months. His last motorcycle was his favorite, a 2000 Harley Davidson Road King, on which he made two sojourns to Sturgis aboard, including his last in 2008. From his days in high school, he also had a passion for cars and died having fulfilled a lifelong dream of owning a Corvette by purchasing a brand new Vette in 2008. Gordon's best times though where spent with his kids and grandchildren during camping and fishing trips, holidays, and sporting events.

Survivors include his father Fred Clasby, brother Wayne Nell, sons Jay and Jeff Nell, daughter Jolene Nell and five grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday November 7, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.at Telford's Chapel of the Valley located at 711 Grant Rd. in East Wenatchee.

Memorials may be sent to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center – Contributions J5-200, P.O. Box 19024, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, or by visiting the website at www.fhcrc.org.

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