Gordon Disney

Gordon Disney

66, of Spokane, Wash.

After several years of deteriorating health, Gordon Donald Disney passed away from natural causes on Feb. 20, 2016, at his home in Spokane, Wash.

Born on November 4, 1949, in San Bernardino, Calif., Gordon was the fourth child of Gordon Boyd Disney and Lenore Adele (Priester) Disney (Goyen). 

In the fall of 1957, the Disney family moved to the Harry Priester place on Bear Creek Road. Gordon entered the third grade at “Old Central” and graduated from Libby High School in 1967. After spending one year at Carroll College in Helena, Gordon transferred to Washington State University at Pullman, Wash., joining his brother Harry. As was common at the time, Gordon worked summers at the St. Regis stud mill to finance the bulk of his education expenses. He graduated with a degree as a registered nurse from WSU.

With nursing degree in hand, Gordon moved to the Seattle area, working as a registered nurse until his health began to fail. He retired to the Spokane area to be closer to family.

Gordon is survived by his stepfather, Earl R. Goyen of Libby, a sister; Lenore Costello of Spokane, Wash.; brothers Howard of Tucson, Ariz., Harry of Libby, Gary of Spokane, Wash., Lee of Cascade and Larry of Billings. He is also survived by a stepbrother, Will Goyen of Wyoming; a stepsister Hazel James of Libby and about eight nieces and six nephews.

The family will follow Gordon’s wishes to have his ashes scattered in a favorite grove of aspen trees at the “Harry Priester“ place along Bear Creek Road. His urn is to be buried in a plot between his mother and grandfather’s graves in Libby Cemetery at about 11 a.m., May 21. A family reception is to follow at the Fireside Room in the Venture Inn.