Gordon George Puppe

1940 - 2022

Gordon George Puppe, 82, of Lompoc, died October 21, 2022 in Rancho Cucamonga.

He was born April 9, 1940, in Grafton, North Dakota to Otto and Clara Puppe.

He grew up in Crystal, North Dakota, where he graduated ninth in his class from Crystal High School.

Gordon served in the U.S. Army from 1958 to 1964, in the 4th Armored Division, stationed in Germany.

After the service, Gordon moved to Lompoc, California, where he worked as a truck driver for Lompoc Trucking, John Manville, and for Consolidated Freightways for just over 40 years. He married Marian Sanford in 1977.

In his younger years, Gordon enjoyed hosting barbecues for friends and family, golfing, playing racquetball with his son, Thomas, and shooting dice. He loved traveling to Groveland with his family to see his brother, and best friend, Lyle.

He and his wife, Marian, owned property in Groveland where he looked forward to visiting family, shooting guns and riding ATVs. He made sure he took his family on a vacation every year.

He and Marian also enjoyed going to Las Vegas to play slots, they loved camping and traveling around in their RV with their dogs to meet up with family and friends. A few of their favorite destinations were: Tahoe, Reno, Montana, Seattle and North Dakota.

Later in life, Gordon attended many sporting events to watch his grandkids and great grandkids play soccer, softball, baseball, and football. This brought him much pleasure. Over the last few months of his life, he especially looked forward to Fridays as he had an ongoing date with his daughter-in-law for lunch and a trip to the spa.

Gordon had a heart of gold. If you were ever in trouble, he'd be the first to pull out his pocketbook to help in any way. He was a generous man to many. He also had a sense of humor.

Gordon is survived by his children, Thomas and daughter-in-law Felice of Rancho Cucamonga, CA; Kerri and son-in-law Kelvin White of Lompoc, CA; Jackie Puppe Wotipka and son-in-law Chuck Wotipka of Everett, WA; grandchildren Kody White and wife Whitney, Kolten White and wife Brianne, Cayden Wotipka, Payton Wotipka, Koa Puppe and Thomasio Puppe; six great-grandchildren, and his sisters Janice Stroud and Shirley Gillis.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marian Christine Puppe, his sister, Jackie Reilly, and his brothers Clifford and Lyle Puppe.

Services will be held at the Lompoc Cemetery, Saturday, November 12th at 10:30. Celebration of Life will follow at The American Legion in Lompoc from 12:00-2:00.

The family welcomes all.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made in Gordon's name to the American Legion Post 211 - 636 North H Street - Lompoc, CA 93436