Ronald Charles Gordon
April 19, 1930 – June 29, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Ronald Charles Gordon. Ron passed away on June 29, 2025 at the age of 95 in Athabasca, Alberta.
He is survived by his wife Michaelle (Stychin), and his children Jill (James) of Kelowna, B.C., Jane (Ken) of Calgary, and Hugh from Zurich, Switzerland.
Ron (Dad) was born April 19, 1930 in Forres, Scotland. He came to Canada with his father in 1948 and stayed to become a citizen. Dad started out herding sheep into summer grazing land in British Columbia. His dream was to have his own farm, so in the fall of 1956 he enrolled in the Faculty of Agriculture at University of Alberta and met his first wife, Vernie Elsie (Mom). They married in 1960 until Mom's death in December, 2003. In 1961, after Dad graduated from University, he took a job in Athabasca as an Assistant District Agriculturalist and was mentored by George Godel, a leader who he greatly admired and was mentored by. Dad often recalled that when he first arrived to Athabasca and saw the "Welcome" sign that was situated across the river (and still exists today), he immediately knew that he was home and fell in love with the area. Dad and Mom would both say that they "chose" Athabasca to raise their family and build a farm.
Over the years, they made many wonderful, long-standing friends and loved hosting dinners and parties and focused on building long-lasting relationships and being part of the community. In 1964, Ron built a feed mill and seed cleaning plant. Ron was the president of the Canada Sheep Council (an arms length federal government post) for three years and met illustrious characters like Eugene Whelan and other politicians of the time and would share his experiences during our weekly family dinners. Dad was the Chairman of the Alberta Sheep and Wool Commission and the President of the Alberta Chamber of Commerce. All of these experiences allowed him to become a thoughtful public speaker and a worldly individual. Dad was a student of world history, a voracious reader and a great storyteller. He was a true historian and could share history and connect it to present day relevance, which is a gift that we treasured and that we will miss.
In the late 1970s, Dad and Mom were pivotal point in their lives and they both became Christians. This changed the trajectory of their lives. Dad and Mom spent a lot of time working in the community, reaching out, caring for others. They also spent a year engaged in mission work in Romania. Ron saw God's hand in his life over and over. Not only did Dad continue with his farming, he also became a General Contractor in the industrial steel building business.
When Dad and Mom returned from Romania, they became involved in the pro life movement. This was so important for them given that the three of their children were adopted and so they knew the importance of embracing life. They also believed in the importance of what it meant to build a good marriage and became involved in Marriage Ministries International.
Mom passed away in December, 2003 leaving a void in all of our hearts. It was an especially tough time for Dad, but he persevered, continuing to cook dinner parties for his friends while trying to move on. In September, 2012, Dad married Michaelle and moved into the town of Athabasca to start their life together. They continued to be active in the community and Dad continued to live his gardening and enjoyed having an extended family with grandchildren. Ron had a huge heart, and shared his heart and love, not only for his (extended) family and community, but he made sure that he put his relationship with the Lord, first. Dad was always ready to help others and he became a father figure to many. He wore his faith on his sleeve, was a man of high moral character and a gentleman. He was deeply, deeply loved and will be missed greatly by his family and friends.
Dad often remarked that he lived during the best time in world history. He loved his life and was grateful for all of his life experiences, good and bad. He will remain deeply embedded in our hearts as a formidable role model and will be a forever reminder about what a devoted husband, father and friend with others and with God looks like. Dad, we will love you and will miss you forever.
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, July 21, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. at the Athabasca Reformed Church with Pastor Al Plat officiating.
In lieu of flowers, anyone who wishes to make a memorial donation in Ron's name may do so to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or to Pro Life Edmonton.
To send condolences, please visit www.athabascacommunitychapel.com
780-675-3996
