Obituary: Gordie Fraser Varney
Gordie passed away peacefully at home on March 11, 2012. Gordie was born in Mariposa to Norm and Rose Varney on December 19, 1956 and was a life long resident in the mountains he loved so much.
Gordie was a humble, honest, hard working, loving, and gracious man. He lived his life believing the greatest gift you can give to yourself and others is the relationships and memories you form with them. He had a genuine passion for life and spent his free time enjoying gardening, fishing, boating, hunting, golfing, but mostly spending quality time with his family and friends.
There wasn’t an aspect of Gordie’s life where he didn’t make a lasting impression with those he came in contact with. He devoted his life to any and all activities that required a helping hand.
Everyone was special to him, and many of his friendships were formed through his talent and love as a heavy equipment operator.
Gordie found he had a natural ability running equipment shortly after High School which eventually led him to the Mariposa County Road Department for 16 years. Gordie then found his true calling at Cal Fire where he worked passionately for 11 years as a Heavy Fire Equipment Operator. He took great pride in knowing his devoted work made a difference to so many people in their times of need.
Gordie was a loving and supportive husband, father, son and brother, and we will forever miss him. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Lynn, children Braden and Chalé, mother Rose, sisters Kay, JoAnn, Colleen and Mary Lou, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a heart-felt thank you and acknowledge a few of many supporters:
- Dr. Robert Rose and the Mariposa Family Medicine staff;
- Pat, Laura, Billy and the staff of John C. Freemont Home Health;
- The Bullis Family, Brian Jacobson, Ort Holden, Bob Kirchner, Steve Parkins and the Cal-Fire Family, and everyone who supported Gordie and the family through the trying times.
A celebration of life is planned for Gordie on Sunday, March 25th at the Mariposa County Fair Grounds beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Please come share your memories of this amazing man. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make donations in memory of Gordie to:
The Barrier-Youth Ranch, C/O Samuel O. Hensley,
