Thomas Gordon Seibold

1921 - 2012

Thomas Gordon Seibold December 17, 1921 - August 10, 2012 Thomas Gordon Seibold was born December 17, 1921, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Mike and Reba Seibold. He attended and graduated from the University of Chattanooga. Gordon went into the Army Air Corp as a weather observer. He served for 3 1/2 years during WWII. He was shipped to the Philippines for a year. Before the ship made port in Hawaii, it had to be hauled the rest of the way because of engine trouble. After repairs, they went on to Manila. Gordon left the Army in 1946. Gordon was ordained to preach in Chattanooga TN. He attended Southwestern Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. He was in the ministry for 12 years, then was a Social Worker for Kern County for 21 years. Gordon met Lois Crane in San Francisco, California in 1944. It was "love at first sight". He was always amazed how God brought together a young man from Tennessee and a young woman who was born in China. Gordon and Lois were married in Santa Rosa, California on August 13, 1948. They moved to Bakersfield in 1960. He played the bass horn in the band at Central High School in Chattanooga. Gordon loved photography. He photographed weddings in the late 1960's and into the 1970's. He enjoyed photographing all things related to Nature. Gordon had a love of gardening, planting his vegetable garden each year, as well as flowers for photographing. He played the harmonica, entertaining Lois and the children anywhere from the living room to long car trips. Gordon loved watching all kinds of sports on TV. His favorite team was the San Francisco Giants. Gordon is preceded in death by his parents and 2 brothers. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lois; his son and wife, David and Shari Seibold, his daughter Shirley Andersen, his daughter and husband, Karen and Bob Funk; numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews; his sister, Dorothy Waterhouse in Chattanooga, his brother and wife, Donald and Maxine Seibold in Wetumpka, Alabama, and his brother and wife, Charles and Lucy Seibold in San Antonio, Texas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Columbus St. Baptist Church, 714 Columbus St., Bakersfield, CA 93305. www.bakersfield.com/obits