Gordon Mason Ebbert

Gordon Mason Ebbert, 101, a resident of Moses Lake since 1945, passed away on Oct. 20, 2014, at Samaritan Hospital.

Gordon was born July 23, 1913, in Monmouth, Ore., to Elbie Ebbert and Ruth Mason Ebbert. Gordon married his high school sweetheart Juanita Nelson in 1935.

After attending Monmouth High School, Gordon attended and graduated with a teaching degree from Oregon College of Education (Western Oregon University). He then took two years of Aeronautical Engineering at Oregon State College (Oregon State University). Gordon began a long time flying career when he soloed in 1933 in a Frank Taylor Cub at Eyerly Flying Field in Salem, Ore.

Gordon was teaching at Valsetz, Ore., when he was called to Keyport in 1941 to fly coastal patrol missions between Washington and Oregon. Upon the ending of World War II, Gordon and Juanita relocated to Moses Lake in November 1946. At that time, Gordon was instrumental in helping form the first Civil Air Patrol in Moses Lake. He was a mission check pilot for the Civil Air Patrol for 35 years and conducted numerous search and rescue missions throughout the Pacific Northwest. In 1961, he was given a permanent reserve assignment with the Civil Air Patrol and he achieved the rank of Lt Colonel. In 2007 Gordon was promoted to Colonel.

Gordon was an active member of the Washington Flying Farmers and in June 1994 was awarded the Flying Farmer of the Year award. He joined the Flying Farmers in 1946, attending the charter meeting in Spokane.

Gordon was actively involved in the formation of the flight program at Big Bend Community College. He served for many years on the Aviation Advisory Board at Big Bend Community College. He was a member of the United Flying Octogenarians "UFO", at the time there were only 149 members in the United States. In 1987, he was appointed by the Governor of the State of Washington to the Washington State Airport and Development Board. In 1994, Gordon was selected as the Aviator of the Year by the Washington State Department of Aeronautics.

Gordon served on the Moses Lake City Council from 1961 to 1975 including two years as Mayor of Moses Lake, 1974 and 1975. He was a member of the Moses Lake Kiwanis Club. Gordon started the first motorcycle club in Moses Lake and served as the club's president. He owned and operated Ebbert's Machine Shop until his retirement.

Other awards received by Gordon were the Certificate of Achievement for 60 years of membership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. The Wright Brothers Masters Pilot Award and Pilot Proficiency Wings Program. The Phase XI Award from the Federal Aviation Administration honoring 70 years of service. The Civil Air Patrol Distinguished Service Award recognizing his service from 1942 to 2007. In 1994 the Port of Moses Lake Commissioners honored Gordon with a plaque recognizing his years of dedicated service to aviation at Grant County Airport and the State of Washington.

Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Juanita and his son Gordon Jr. He is survived by nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Gordon's life will be held Monday, November 3, at 10:00 AM at Kayser's Chapel & Crematory. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.