Gordon Engman

Gordon Engman was born March 28, 1927, in Petaluma, California, to Albert and Leah Engman.   He left this world on March 14, 2024, at the age of 96.  He had 6 brothers and 3 sisters.  He grew up in several areas of northern California.  Gordon served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947, during World War II.  He loved sharing stories of being a cook and a baker during his service.  

In 1948, Gordon had the good fortune of meeting and marrying Sue Long.  Gordon and Sue celebrated their 75^th wedding anniversary in December 2023.  Gordon became a pastor and, in 1956, the family moved to Ukiah.  Shortly thereafter, they built the first Gospel Tabernacle Church on North State Street.  In 1983, they moved a few miles north and a second church was built, still on State Street.  The church was his life’s work.  If anyone in the family or church needed a handyman, he always showed up to help and could fix about anything.  He led the church for more than 65 years, working to bring life and blessing to all who attended, and it remains active to this day. Gordon also worked many years and retired as a part-time school bus driver for the Ukiah School District.   He loved staying active, always taking care of his piece of land, tending to his garden and yard.  

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers, a sister, his beloved son, Steve Engman, and son-in-law, Ernest Blake.  He is survived by his wife, Sue; their children Glenda Blake of Ukiah, CA, Gary Engman of Kalispell, MT and wife Karen, and Darla Lane of Redding, CA; nine grandchildren: Ryan Lane, Justin Lane, Amanda Engman, Melissa Thompson, Jeremy Blake, Kristen Burdette, Kayla Saldana, Tyler Engman, and Sean Lane; sisters Debbie Hamon and Alohna Hersey; fourteen great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends.   

Gordon was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend and will be forever missed.