Obituary of David A. Gordley

David A. Gordley, age 83, passed away Saturday, September 24, 2022. He was born August 23, 1939, in Peebles OH to Otis M. & Ruby M. Gordley. David moved from Ohio with his family in 1944; settling in Byers CO after they ran out of gas stamps on their way to Arizona. He attended Byers Schools, graduating as Salutatorian of the Class of 1957. David enlisted in the Reserve of the United States Marine Corps on July 20, 1957, earning the rank of Corporal before his discharge on August 4, 1962. On November 9, 1958, David married Janice A. Tapparo of Strasburg CO. They were married 34 years. They lived in Byers and raised their daughters, Linda and Brenda. “The girls” always brought a sparkle to his eyes. David had many occupations during his lifetime. He worked in an auto body shop, grain elevator, Soil Conservation Service, road construction, gas stations, did a little farming and raised a few cattle. In 1974, he purchased the Amoco Station & Jobbership in Byers founding Gordley Oil Co. where he and Janice made their living before merging with Tri-Valley Gas Co. in 1983. David was a shareholder & the manager of Tri-Valley Gas until its sale in 1998. After Janice’s passing in January 1993, David married Kathy Murray in June 1994. They were married for 28 years. Kathy brought 2 sons, Don and Matt Murray, to his family. David always treated them as his and they always called him Dad. When David retired in 1998, he didn’t stop working. He helped found, build and manage Quint Valley Golf Course until 2016 when he and Kathy moved to Bullhead City AZ where they made many new friends & enjoyed the sunshine. David was a proud, long-time member of the Byers Volunteer Fire Department, 44 year member of the Byers American Legion Post 160 and was a Charter Member of Deer Trail Elks Lodge #2307. He obtained his private pilot’s license in 1980. David was preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother, Ruby; wife, Janice; 4 brothers Rod, James, Otis and Jesse; and 1 sister, Joyce. Survivors include his wife, Kathy; 2 daughters Linda (James) Gentry of Byers CO and Brenda Rector of Strasburg CO; Kathy’s sons Don Murray of Parachute CO and Matt (April) Murray of Byers CO; 1 brother, Richard Gordley of Hereford AZ and 1 sister, Shirley (Ray) Gunter of Byers CO. David also leaves behind 11 grandchildren: Nathan Bright, Ryan (Phoenix) Bright, Becky (Drew) Matthews, & Brittany (Tyler) Hsieh, Corissa (Andrew) Thornton, Dalton (Megan) Rector, Ethan (Bianca) Rector, Frankie (Alex) Sauer, Cody Murray, Matthew Murray, & Leo Murray. Followed by 16 great-grandchildren. David was laid to rest at the Byers Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends may make memorial gifts to the Byers Fire Department; Byers American Legion Post 160; or the Deer Trail Elks Lodge #2307.