Francis Gordon Ermence, better known as Gordie or Casey, went home to be with the Lord on Oct. 12, 2006.
Born in Seattle, Washington, on March 11, 1919, he grew up in Everett.
Gordie served his country proudly for 22 years in the Army and Air Force. He was an active member of Stars and Stripes alumni and spent an important part of his military career working for the Pacific Stars and Stripes, a daily military newspaper. After retirement, Gordie was an active member of the Kona Shrine Club. Blessed with an adventurous spirit, he spent a great deal of his retirement traveling the world.
Gordie and Connie lived in Poulsbo and Ocean Shores, Wash., before they retired and moved to Kailua Kona, Hawaii, 10 years ago, to live the good life.
He was preceded in death by father, Frank Ermence; mother, Maye Ermence; brother, Merle Ermence and sister, Mercedia Iten.
He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife of 42 years, Connie. He also leaves behind two children, Frank Ermence, of Stockton, Calif., and Linda Miranda, of Austin, Texas; two grandchildren, Dawn Luna, of Los Banos, Calif., and David Miranda, of Texas; two great-grandchildren, Kirsten Luna and Dylan Luna; and six nieces, Judith Bronson, of Marysville, Wash., Linda Mittleider, of Coupeville, Wash., JoKay Smith, of Spokane, Wash., Danette Brown, of Wilmington, N.C. and Wendy Ermence and Suzanne Griffin of Snohomish, Wash.
A memorial service was held at the North Hawaii Veterans Cemetery on Nov. 4, 2006.