Gordon Fredrick Pippin (October 4, 1934- February 14, 2023)

Gordon F. Pippin was born in Saco, Mont., on Oct. 4, 1934, to Fred and Wilma Pippin. He passed away peacefully at his home in Springfield, Ore., on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023.

Cremation has taken place. A graveside celebration of life will be held at Grandview Cemetery in Saco at a later date.

Gordon loved growing up alongside his big sister Joyce in their little hometown of Saco and was very proud to have been raised there. He often shared stories of his childhood and classmates, whom he remained close to his entire life. Before graduating high school in 1953, Gordon worked for the Great Northern Railway on the section crews. In 1961, he started as a lineman for Mountain Bell in Glasgow, Mont., later transferring to Helena, Mont., and then back to Glasgow as a District Manager before retiring in 1987. Gordon carried forward a legacy of hard work and passed that on to his family.

Gordon married Berma Langman in 1954 and they had one son. In 1956 Gordon married Arlene McNett and they were blessed with a daughter and two sons. He later married his forever wife, Arleen Milam, in 1969 and welcomed three stepsons into the family. Gordon, being a gypsy at heart, spent some of his best years traveling with Arleen in their RVs. They explored the West Coast together and enjoyed spending time in Las Vegas, Yuma, and many other places.

Dad had a passion for cars, classic to custom, motorcycles to Cadillacs, fast, fancy, 4x4s all pristine, many shiny and black, and highly customized to his specific taste. He loved basketball and watching the Boston Celtics. He was known for sharing his legendary tomatoes from his annual bumper crop vegetable garden. But one of Dad's greatest attributes was his respect and love for the great outdoors and all its creatures. He passed on his passion for hunting, fishing, and camping with family. It was instilled in all of us from a very early age to "always respect, preserve, and leave it better than you found it."

Anyone who knew Dad knows he had a special bond with his dogs. He considered them a member of the family, and a family was not complete without one or more! This trait was also passed along, and we always had a good laugh about there being more dogs than people at outdoor family gatherings.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents Wilma and Fred Pippin; a sister Joyce Lowe; and a grandson Kenny Pippin.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Arleen Pippin, of Springfield; little dog Peppy; and children Greg Weatherly, of Kalispell, Mont., GordiAnn (Chuck) Pippin, of Fort Peck, Mont., Allen Pippin, of Anaconda, Mont., Fred (Tami) Pippin, of Helena, Kenny (Jeanice) Milam, of Greybull, Wyo., Mike (Tina) Milam, of Helena, Tim (Keius) Milam, of Billings, Mont., and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Donations in memory of Gordon Pippin can be made to the United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 85 Saco MT, 59261

We love you and will miss your laughter and bright smile. Happy trails to you Dad until we meet again.