Gordon DeVere Waford

Gordon Devere Waford, our wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully in the early morning of June 19th, 2017. He was recovering from a hip fracture that occurred on June 12, 2017. Gordon was born on February 27th, 1933 at his home in Aberdeen, Idaho to Helen Irene and William Odis Waford. He was raised on many farms in Bingham County as well as in Aberdeen. When Gordon was 14, his younger brother Chip joined his family. Gordon graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1951, where he excelled as an athlete playing baseball, basketball and football. Gordon’s love of sports continued throughout his life. He played basketball until he was nearly 50 and racquetball until he was 75 years old.
Gordon grew up with horses. He got his first horse in the 8th grade and used to ride her to the grocery store for his mom. Gordon owned horses all of his adult life until he sold his farm in 1990. He belonged to the Aberdeen Boots and Saddles Club with his father Ode, rode with the Bannock and Bingham Counties Sheriff’s Posse, and later with the Chaparrals Riding Club. Gordon loved rodeo and rodeo-ed throughout the 60’s and early 70’s and roped calves. He received his stallion Supreme Bar from his Uncle Waford in 1967. He ran Supreme on the flat track and was a World Champion Cutter Racer. He loved gaming on Supreme: doing flag races, potato races, ribbon pulls and relay races. He really loved raising, training, and breaking horses. Gordon spent many days trail riding in the mountains throughout Idaho. Often times, he would look out at the mountains and state “that’s perfect horse riding country”.
In 1981, Gordon learned how to snow ski at the age of 48 and enjoyed family vacations in Big Sky, MT. Gordon loved spending time on the water in the summer. He loved to water ski and enjoyed boating. He is the only family member that water skied in a canal behind a horse.
In 1954, Gordon enlisted in the United States Air F rce as an Airman First Class. He did basic training at Lackland Airforce Base in San Antonio, TX. He was stationed at Francis E Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY. He worked for the NATO at Bangnoli Naval Station in Naples, Italy where he was a communications center specialist and an instructor of communications and teletype operator. Gordon was honorably discharged in February of 1962 after serving in the reserves for 5 years.
He farmed in the Aberdeen area from 1959-1963, was a station agent for Western Airlines and became a student in 1963 where he received his Education Degree in Business in 1966. He taught business classes at Hawthorne Jr. High, served as the Assistant Business Manager for School District 25, and started the Personnel Department for the school district where he served until his retirement in 2000. Gordon served as a Chief Negotiator for the Pocatello Education Association from 1966-68 and as the Chief Negotiator for the Board of Trustees from 1975-1990. He owned his own business, consulting in business, finance, and negotiations for school districts throughout Idaho from 1979-2000.
Gordon married Mary Marcia Kendall in July of 1953. To this union was born Lon Douglas Waford, born in Naples, Italy. The two later divorced. On June 6, 1983, he married Marjean Morrow Kvarfordt in El Celito Chapel in Pocatello, Id. Marjean’s son, Kristofor, joined the family. Their son, William Kyle, was born in March of 1984. Gordon enjoyed many years supporting and watching his son, Kyle, participate in athletics in junior high and high school.
Gordon and Marjean enjoyed many years travelling throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. One of the highlights of their life was hosting a German exchange student, Marion Hillenbrand Shafer. They also enjoyed many vacations and family events with siblings, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews, children and grandchildren. Gordon was preceded in death by his mother and father, Helen and Ode. He is survived by his loving wife, Marjean. His sons: Lon and Kyle (Mindy) and step son Kristofor Kvarfordt (Melanie), seven grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and his brother Chip (Paula).
Graveside memorial services with military rites will be held Saturday, June 24, at 2pm in the Mountain View Cemetery (Section 53 West), Pocatello. Following the memorial services, a celebration of life reception will be held at the Rosewood Reception Center, 1499 Bannock Hwy, Pocatello.
In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to make donations in memory of Gordon may contribute to the Gordon and Marjean Waford’s Family Endowment Fund at Idaho State University for scholarships for deserving students pursuing a college degree or the Pocatello Animal Shelter, 3100 Avenue of the Chiefs, Pocatello, ID 83204, or the HOPE Cancer Support Group, Portneuf Health Trust, Inc., 500 South 11th Ave, Suite 503, Pocatello, ID 83201.

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