Gordon L. Fobes

Dec. 24, 1939 - Sept. 7, 2017

Gordon L. Fobes, 77, formerly of Elko, Nevada, passed away peacefully on September 7, 2017 at Valley View Medical Center in Fort Mohave, Arizona. Gordon was a loving husband to his wife Betty, who survives him. He was a loving father to five children: Melanie Young, Cherie Bierbower, Marshelle Fobes-all in Oregon; Dennis A. Fobes-Carlin, Nevada; and Rachel Ratliff-Idaho. He is also survived by brother, Dennis J. Fobes; and sister, Judy Saxton-Elko, Nevada, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Gordon had 10 beautiful grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

He was pre-deceased by father Hiram Fobes; mother, Marjorie Dempster Fobes; brother, Gerald E. Fobes; sister, Doris M. Dalton; and great-grandson Neriah Logsdon.

Gordon was born December 24, 1939 in Greene County, Ohio. He moved to Elko, Nevada at the tender age of 4. He went through the Elko County School system to eventually obtain an Associate Degree from Northern Nevada Community College (Great Basin College) in Criminal Justice.

Gordon worked all kinds of jobs from Plunkett Shell to slot boss at the Commercial Hotel until he became a patrolman with the Elko Police Department in 1968. He rapidly advanced to Detective, Detective Sergeant, and Assistant Chief of Police. While he was Assistant Chief of Police, he attended and graduated from the 110th Session of the FBI's National Academy in Quantico, VA on September 23, 1977. Gordon was then named Chief of Police on January 1, 1979. He held this position until his retirement in January of 1990.

Gordon did serve his country when he enlisted in the Army in Sept. of 1961 and was honorably discharged Sept. of 1964. Although he repeatedly put in for overseas duty, he spent all 3 years at Camp Roberts in Fort Ord, California.

After Gordon and his 1st wife, Ramona New Fobes, divorced, he met his current wife, Betty Ross Fobes in Eureka, NV in 1983. They were introduced by his life-long friend, Grant Crutchley. Gordon and Betty wasted no time and were married 3 months later and they had just celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary on August 20, 2017.

Gordon loved to hunt and fish in his younger days. He was an excellent cook and made sure that any visitor to his home didn't leave hungry. He loved to camp and go 4-wheeling.

He and Betty became 'snowbirds' splitting their time between Elko, NV and Fort Mohave, AZ since 2010.

Gordon's illness of esophageal cancer kept him in Arizona since July of 2016 in order to be close to medical facilities. Although he gave it a good fight, he succumbed to the cancer on September 7, 2017 with his wife Betty and a niece by his bedside.

Gordon had requested that there be no formal funeral service, but a Celebration of his Life will be announced in the future to be held in the Elko area so friends, relatives, former police officers who worked for and with him can remember his unique sense of humor along with his blunt candor. Gordon always spoke his mind and there was no doubt in one's mind what he meant. That was just his way.

Gordon will be cremated, and his ashes will be placed as per his wishes at a location he requested.

Cancer takes too many lives. If you wish to donate in Gordon's memory, please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at www.stjude.org. Gordon was 76 years old when he was first diagnosed with cancer.

He maintained he had led a long and good life, but his heart went out to these children who battle cancer at such young ages. He donated regularly to this valuable organization in the hope a cure would be found.