Gordon Wilmot Strout II

Gordon Wilmot Strout II
1947 - 2018
BRADENTON, Fla. - Whether sailing the Caribbean, hiking the Appalachian Trail with his son Ben, teaching water skiing to his grandkids - Jackson, William, and Samuel, with his son Adam, and daughter-in-law Lucia - or chaperoning students to Europe to experience the real European culture, or hosting the huge Fourth of July family celebration on Panther Run, Gordon Strout lived life to the fullest.
Born on Nov. 1 1947, in Bath, the son of an electrical engineer and devoted homemaker and the youngest of three children, Gordon spent his mischievous fun-filled youth in a multi-generational family home in Benton Falls.
Gordon attended Lawrence High School and went on to graduate from University of Maine, Orono, where he developed a passion for literature music, theater and teaching.
His first teaching job at Windham Maine Elementary School was suddenly interrupted when he was served with a draft notice, and had to leave is young family and teaching job to serve in the army during the Vietnam War. Some of his Army duties included teaching new recruits how to read.
Upon his honorable discharge, Gordon solidified his teaching abilities and brought his skills and sense of adventure to Cartagena, Colombia and St. Thomas Virgin Islands.
While in St. Thomas, he developed a passion for sailing and writing, and became the natural choice as the entertainment editor for the local St. Thomas newspaper interviewing a virtual who's who's list of movie stars, musicians and artist drawn to the beauty of the island.
But, Gordon missed Maine. He returned and embarked on his teaching career at Gorham High School, and his summer camp waterfront directorship at the Dr. Johnson's camps, in Casco. At camp he met his partner of 38 years, Barrie Lee Johnson, and became a beloved member her family for nearly four decades.
Upon retiring as "snow birds" to Sarasota, Fla.. he continued all his activities, including substitute teaching, directing and acting in many murder mysteries and variety shows, playing tennis, volleyball, softball and taking many trips to the beach with Barrie Lee and all their Florida friends. But come spring time, Gordon's devotion and love of his mother, brother, sister, and all of his family ran deep, and he would look forward to celebrating Mother's Day with the Benton Falls gang and summertime with his sons and grandsons and many friends and family!
Gordon died peacefully with his family by his side at Maine Medical Center, in Portland, after a brief illness on March 30, 2018.
Gordon is sadly missed by son Ben Strout of California; son Adam Strout and wife Lucia of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Mass., and their sons Jackson, William and Samuel; Barrie Lee Johnson of Sarasota; sister Evelyn Cairnie and husband David R. Cairnie of Clinton; brother Dennis West of Benton Falls; nephew David and wife Pamela Cairnie of Fairfield, and their children, Winter, West, and Bodhi; niece Peg and husband Rick Paradis of Fairfield, and their children Sunora and Chauncy; niece Donna Cairnie of Clinton, and son Aaron Beale.
Gordon was preceded in death by his father, Gordon W. Strout.
Gordon's mother, Lucille Strout, passed in April, a few weeks after he did.