In Memory Of
Gordon B. Sailors
1917
2011
Gordon B. Sailors
August 10, 1917 — December 29, 2011
Gordon Byron Sailors, 94, of Topeka, Kansas passed away at Stormont-Vail Hospital Thursday, December 29, 2011. Mr. Sailors was born in 1917 in Rosalie, Nebraska to Byron and Julia Octavia Day Sailors. He attended high school in Leonardville, Kansas, graduated from Pittsburg State University with a teaching degree in 1940 and a Masters degree in 1949. He served in the United States Navy at the Great Lakes Navy Center during WWII training troops in physical education. In May of 1940 he married Virginia Ford Davis.
Mr. Sailors was a life-long educator. He began his career in Elmdale, Kansas and then taught and coached at Highland Park High School from 1951-1961 and Topeka West High School from 1961-1971. He was honored as Kansas Industrial Arts Teacher of the year as well as Kansas Driver Education Instructor of the Year. He also served the state of Kansas as deputy fire marshal as well as an administrator for civil defense training and education. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association.
Mr. Sailors was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka where he served as an elder and Sunday School teacher. He was also active in Topeka Wood Carvers as well as the International Wood Collectors Society where he served as President. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and each summer provided the Topeka Rescue Mission with fruit and vegetables from his garden.
He was an avid bridge player and Royals baseball fan. He designed lamps and mementoes from major league baseball bats for numerous American league players. He also played on a national fast-pitch softball team while serving in the Navy and managed and played softball in Topeka for over 40 years.
Mr. Sailors was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lot William Sailors and his daughter, Karen Virginia Wagner.
He is survived by his wife Virginia who resides at Presbyterian Manor of Topeka, his sisters Geraldine Frazier of Springfield, Missouri and Mary Jane Oberhelman of Riley, Kansas. He is also survived by his son Gordie Sailors and wife Paula Kellogg of Perry, his daughter Elizabeth Durham DVM and her companion Joe Del Balso of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, his grandchildren Michelle Sailors and her partner Michelle Sawtelle of Topeka, Tony Sailors and his wife Julie of Lawrence, Daniel Sailors and Molly Sailors of New York, and Jordan Durham of Daytona Beach, Florida,and his great-grandchildren William and Christopher Musterman of Topeka.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in Mr. Sailors honor at the Topeka Rescue Mission, PO Box 8350, Topeka Kansas 66608 or Let's Help, Inc., 200 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66603.
The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Presbyterian Manor of Topeka and Stormont Vail for their help and support.
A joint memorial service for he and his wife will be held at 10:30AM July 28, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, Kansas.
Mr. Sailors was a life-long educator. He began his career in Elmdale, Kansas and then taught and coached at Highland Park High School from 1951-1961 and Topeka West High School from 1961-1971. He was honored as Kansas Industrial Arts Teacher of the year as well as Kansas Driver Education Instructor of the Year. He also served the state of Kansas as deputy fire marshal as well as an administrator for civil defense training and education. He was a lifetime member of the National Education Association.
Mr. Sailors was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Topeka where he served as an elder and Sunday School teacher. He was also active in Topeka Wood Carvers as well as the International Wood Collectors Society where he served as President. He volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and each summer provided the Topeka Rescue Mission with fruit and vegetables from his garden.
He was an avid bridge player and Royals baseball fan. He designed lamps and mementoes from major league baseball bats for numerous American league players. He also played on a national fast-pitch softball team while serving in the Navy and managed and played softball in Topeka for over 40 years.
Mr. Sailors was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Lot William Sailors and his daughter, Karen Virginia Wagner.
He is survived by his wife Virginia who resides at Presbyterian Manor of Topeka, his sisters Geraldine Frazier of Springfield, Missouri and Mary Jane Oberhelman of Riley, Kansas. He is also survived by his son Gordie Sailors and wife Paula Kellogg of Perry, his daughter Elizabeth Durham DVM and her companion Joe Del Balso of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, his grandchildren Michelle Sailors and her partner Michelle Sawtelle of Topeka, Tony Sailors and his wife Julie of Lawrence, Daniel Sailors and Molly Sailors of New York, and Jordan Durham of Daytona Beach, Florida,and his great-grandchildren William and Christopher Musterman of Topeka.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in Mr. Sailors honor at the Topeka Rescue Mission, PO Box 8350, Topeka Kansas 66608 or Let's Help, Inc., 200 South Kansas Avenue, Topeka, Kansas 66603.
The family would like to acknowledge the staff at Presbyterian Manor of Topeka and Stormont Vail for their help and support.
A joint memorial service for he and his wife will be held at 10:30AM July 28, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison, Topeka, Kansas.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gordon B. Sailors, please visit our flower store.
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Saturday, July 28, 2012
Starts at 10:30 am (Central time)
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