Gordon Frazey Bliss, 84
Gordon Frazey Bliss, 84, passed away in the countryside he loved outside of Priest River, Idaho, on March 2, 2007.
The youngest of four, Gordon was born Jan. 22, 1923, in Bellingham, Wash., to mother Blanche Bertha and father George H. Bliss. Growing up in rural Whatcom County provided Gordon with a life of hunting, fishing, trapping, the study of birds and horsemanship. His love for horses was born of this time and endured his entire life.
Following his graduation from Meridian High School in 1941, Gordon was involved with the construction of Farragut Navy Training Base in North Idaho.
In 1942, while enrolled in the University of Idaho's engineering program, World War II and Uncle Sam made it clear that Gordon's attendance was required elsewhere. During basic training, his skills as a marksman became evident. In 1943, Gordon was sent to the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pa., and into the Army's Specialized Training Program. He was then deployed to the Asiatic-Pacific campaigns from 1943-45 as a private first class, 11th Airborne Division, 188th Glider Infantry Reg., HQ Co., 2nd Bn.
After an honorable discharge in 1945, Gordon came back to Bellingham to reunite with family, marry and finish his engineering degree at Western Washington State College. However, his true calling was another discipline. He chose to dedicate the rest of his life to chiropractic.
After receiving his diploma from Palmer College in 1948, he returned to Washington state and made Newport, Wash., his new home. In 1949, Gordon established Bliss Chiropractic Center in Newport and maintained the practice until oldest daughter Dr. Bonnie Bliss joined the practice. Bliss Chiropractic Center continues to this day.
Gordon served his fellow man and community as a willing volunteer and active participant in many capacities. Community activities included Scout master and committee chairman for the Boy Scouts of America, intermittently since 1949; American Legion, post commander (1955); Veterans of Foreign Wars, Adjutant (1956); Knights of Pythius (1955-65); Sunday School teacher and lay minister of United Church of Christ; Newport PTA, president (1969-70); member, Pend Oreille Mounted Sheriff's Posse (1958); president, Kiwanis (1963-64); Masonic Lodge (from 1948); president, Newport Lodge No. 144 in 1970-71; vocal soloist, Grand Lodge 1969 and 1973; appointed Grand Lodge committeeman 1973 and 1974; member of Emerald Empire Flying Club, private pilot's license obtained 1964.
Gordon's professional chiropractic involvement included member of International Chiropractic Association since 1946, charter member of the Chiropractic Society of Washington, secretary of Chiropractic Society of Washington (1965-69), editor of Chiropractic Society of Washington Newsletter (1968-69), secretary of Inland Empire Chiropractic Association (1957), chairman of Inland Empire Chiropractic Association (1958), member Pend Oreille County School Board (1965-70), Chiropractor of the Year 1970 — Chiropractic Society of Washington, regional chairman of Comprehensive Health Planning, National Program (1973-74), nominated by governor of Washington state for appointment to the Chiropractic Examining Board (June 1974).
Gordon is survived by his loving wife, Betty Jo; his brother, Clayton; his daughters, Bonnie, Tamara and Sheilah; and his son, Galen.
His life time of experience has brought him, as he put it, to this "graduation."
Gordon's acceptance of life's amazing journey and awareness of spiritual guidance is his gift to us. May we always be open to it and continue to grow with it.
In lieu of flowers, please send any memorial donations to Bonner Community Hospice. They have been instrumental in providing support and loving care:
Bonner Community Hospice P.O. Box 1448 Sandpoint, ID 83864 (208) 265-1179
Memorial services are at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, at Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home in Newport, Wash. Family and friends are welcome to sign the online guest book at sherman-knapp.com.