Gordon Lee Bilodeau

Gordon Lee Bilodeau, age 83, born in Nahcotta Wa. peacefully passed away in Santa Maria, Ca. at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30th. Gordon was raised in West Seattle, Wa., married Dale (Babs) Arndt and joined the army at age 18. A combination of long-range communication certifications and affiliation with the 101st airborne division gained Gordon a position with the legendary Green Berets special forces in 1963. Gordon's military career included assignments to the Panama Canal, where missions deployed him as far away as Bolivia. Gordon's military service also included 2 tours of duty in the Vietnam war where he was awarded the purple heart of valor.

Following his military service Gordon moved his family to Vashon Island, Wa. Gordon found employment with ITT/FEC and an overseas telecom job in Vietnam following his divorce. In Saigon he met and married Van Tran. During the Fall of Saigon he aided in the evacuation and became one of the last Americans to leave Vietnam.

Upon obtaining employment with Vandenburg AFB, Gordon and family relocated to Santa Maria, Ca. where he over saw satelite communication systems. Accomplishments included operation of 2 popular restaraunts including the "Pismo Asian" located in Pismo beach Ca. and "Van's Cabaret" in Ansbach, Germany. Gordon's ITT employment later included division lead supporting the U.S. army in Europe. Gordon and Van remained in Europe for 10 years moving from Germany to Italy and finally Greece.

During the Iraq war at the age of 67, Gordon led a Qatar team escorting caravans for the U.S Marines in Iraq.

Gordon is survived by his loving wife Van Bilodeau, sister; Charlotte Jacobs, daughters; Kimberly McGuire, Pamela Bilodeau, Denise Houseman, Soung Tran Bilodeau and son Michael Bilodeau, 7 granddaughters, 2 grandsons and 7 greatgrand children. To all that knew and loved him, Gordon will be remembered as a courageous adventurer, energetically engaging, a good freind, a devoted husband and a caring and loving family member.

He will be laid to rest at the Oysterville cemetary next to his mother Pearl and his brother Ray.