Obit of Cohlmia, Gorden L. - Oklahoma County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Gene Phillips 18 Sep 2005 Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Cohlmia, Gorden L. Gorden L. Cohlmia died peacefully at his Oklahoma City home on Thursday, May 1, at the age of 80. He was born July 22, 1922, to Adeeb & Najeeba Cohlmia in Gate, Oklahoma, and graduated from Watonga High School. Gorden bought his first grocery store in Wichita, Kansas, in 1946 after attending the University of Oklahoma. He met the love of his life, Minerva Massad, and married her in March 1948, making their home for the next forty-nine years in Fairview, Oklahoma. They retired from the retail grocery business in Fairview in 1974. He then traveled the world with Ewbank International, making friends out of business associates everywhere he went. While in Fairview, he was a 50 year Masonic Member, 32nd Degree Mason, a Shriner and member of the Sha-Babb Club, longtime Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce member, serving more than one term as President. He raised many dollars for Meals on Wheels, which he and Minerva started, was a member of the Major County Historical Society, hosted the annual Fairview Fly-In for over two decades, and was a member of the Fairview Lakeside Country Club for over 50 years, where he served several terms on the Board of Directors and hosted an annual Invitational Golf Tournament since 1967. Gorden was actively involved in all civic and charitable affairs, becoming one of the greatest ambassadors for Fairview, Oklahoma. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, and everything at the farm. He was a member of the Central Christian Church for over 50 years, serving as a deacon, board member and choir member, as well as being a lifelong member of St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church in Oklahoma City. His parents, his brothers Fred, George and Woody, and sisters Velma Swyden and Margaret Homsey preceded him in death. He is survived and will be greatly missed by his wife, Minerva; daughter Leyla Cohlmia and husband, Girard Kinney, Austin, TX; daughter Mona and husband Mike Spivey; son George and wife, Karla; and his two grandchildren, Adam and Kasey Cohlmia, who were his pride and joy, of Oklahoma City. His sisters Florence Kouri, Wichita, KS; Josephine Shadid, Littleton, CO; Elsie and husband, Dr. Floyd Simon, Clinton; and his brother Dr. Ray and wife Sameera Cohlmia, and sister-in-law Phyllis Cohlmia, of Oklahoma City, also survive him. He also leaves a multitude of cousins, nieces, nephews and friends, whose lives he touched in very special ways. The family wishes to express a special thanks to Stephanie English who cared for our dad the past six months. Gorden will be remembered as a wonderful husband, father and grandfather who had a true passion for making life better for others, who shared love with everyone and whom everyone loved. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Flowers That Do Not Wither Fund at St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 15000 N. May, or the Central Christian Church in Fairview. Trisagion service will be at 7:00 PM Sunday, May 4, and funeral services will be 10:30 AM, Monday, May 5, at St. Elijah Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church. Officiating will be Bishop Basil Essey, Very Rev. Father Constantine Nasr, Economos; Rev. Father John Mefrige; and Rev. Father Basil McMurry. SMITH & KERNKE 14624 N. MAY AVE Published in the Oklahoman from 5/3/2003 - 5/5/2003. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Oklahoma County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/oklahoma/oklahoma.html