Gordon Depue

Our beloved father, brother, grandfather and friend Gordon Depue, 82, passed onward to a better place on Friday, June 23, 2017. A local insurance agent with Gordon Wear, Frank B. Hall, Downtown, Crosstown and Ken Murray agencies for more than 45 years, he started out in Michigan for an additional 10-plus years.

Growing up in Roseville, Michigan, he attended local schools and he enjoyed his visits to his grandparents' farm. He joined the military after graduation. While stationed at various locations on the East Coast, he met the love of his life, Ardella Kopf, and they married shortly thereafter. Returning to Michigan, they proceeded to raise a family of six wonderful children. They moved away from the big city area out to the countryside, with room to grow.

Having a love of hunting and fishing, and having brother-in-law Bernard Kopf in Alaska, they eventually decided to pack everyone and everything up and make the big move to Fairbanks.

Happiness inhabited their home for many decades to follow.

Gordon always tried to be an active and concerned citizen of our city and state and encouraged others to do likewise. He will be missed.

Gordon is survived by son Brian (Sharon) and daughters, Cheryl LaValley and Nancy (Karl) Tompkins; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; brothers, Roger (Joyce) and Gary; sisters-in-law, Ann and Elaine; many nephews and nieces; and many good friends.

In heavenly bliss he now joins his wife, Ardella; parents, Al and Vi; sons, Dale, Kenneth and Douglas; brothers, Kenneth and Duane; sister-in-law Sharon; and many other relatives and friends.

Services are scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, June 30 at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbanks. A memorial reception will will follow at the Elks Lodge, 1003 Pioneer Road, from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Instead of flowers, donations can be made to Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, P.O. Box 71620, Fairbanks, Alaska, 99707-1620.