Gordon Lawrence Thym's Obituary
Gordon Lawrence Thym
July 1, 1923-September 1, 2022
Gordon Thym, age 99, of Newark, California passed away in the early hours of Thursday, September 1, 2022. He was born on July 1, 1923 in Calaveras County, California to Alice Marie Pettingill and Alfred Thym. Gordon grew up on a dairy farm in Mokelumne Hill with his brother Alfred Thym. After attending a one room schoolhouse till 8th grade, he graduated from Calaveras High School. Gordon went on to join the navy as an Aviation Machinist's Mate. After the Navy, Gordon worked at PanAm where he met the love of his life, Margaret Gupton. The two shared their first date on a Friday 13th, a day he never considered unlucky.
Gordon is preceded in death by his loving wife, Margaret Gupton, with whom he enjoyed nearly 67 years of marriage. He is also preceded in death by his brothers Alfred Thym and Harold Thym.
Gordon is survived in life by his five children; Jean Thym, Charles [Jolene] Thym, George [Diana] Thym, Bryan Thym, and Alan Thym and also his sister Beverly Thym [Quinones]. Gordon is also survived by his nine grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren.
Gordon enjoyed many hobbies, not the least of which was crafting cuckoo and mantle clocks. Gordon was also a prolific leader with the Boy Scouts of America, leading troop 204 of Newark and troop 1 of San Francisco. Among the many acknowledgements Gordon received from the Boys Scoots was their highest honor, the Silver Beaver, which recognizes leaders with exceptional character. In addition to scouts Gordon was often tinkering with many a number of projects. Whether it was wrenching on a car or renovations on their home, there was no project Gordon would not tackle. An accurate description of Gordon would be a machinist macgyver. His many projects include; a campfire oven fashioned from an oil can, a campfire water heater so they were able to wash baby diapers, and he even submitted a patent for an aerial automobile ladder in 1962.
While Gordon’s hobbies and travel filled his days, his family filled his heart. To say Gordon was a family man would be an understatement. Those who had the pleasure of meeting Gordon quickly knew that he considered everyone a friend, and every friend he considered family. Each family gathering was not complete without a toast from Gordon where he taught life lessons, enjoyed a humorous tale, and shared his love with us.
The family would like to thank his doctors, caregivers, and friends that supported Gordon in his last years of life.
Gordon’s memorial service will be held on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at 12 noon at the Chapel of the Chimes in Hayward, California which will also be his final resting place. In lieu of flowers the family asks that people make a donation to the Boy Scouts of America.
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