James Gordon Maher

Jun 18, 1937 -

Nov 11, 2023

James Gordon Maher, Gordon, was born 18 June 1937 in Skiatook, Osage, Okla. to Corneilus Edward "Carl" and Edith Maud (Chapman) Maher. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, Robert Franklin Cregger in Casper, Wyo.

Gordon was a US Army veteran who served his country from 1956 to 1958 in Korea, at the rank of Corporal.

Gordon made his career in the newspaper business. He began that long career at age 8 delivering newspapers and at age 15 he began working in the mail room of the Casper Tribune Herald. He retired after 40+ years with that paper, holding many different positions, including pressman and salesman.

Gordon and Kathy first met and dated in Casper, Wyo. while she attended college there. Circumstances separated them and they each married others and had their own families. Fate intervened in their behalf, and in 1998 they were reconnected and picked up where they had left off. Their love story was 40 years in the making, but they always said it was worth the wait. Gordon and Kathy were married Sept. 8, 2000 in Palmer, Alaska and never left each other's side for the next 23 years.

Gordon will always be remembered for his cheerful and kind manner; he never met a stranger. He always had a kind word, a goofy "dad" joke or a song to brighten the day of anyone he encountered. He loved reading his westerns or watching old ones on TV. He knew a million old tunes and had a wonderful singing voice. He loved people and made everyone feel that they were important.

Gordon passed away peacefully on the morning of Nov. 11, 2023 at his home in Anchorage, Alaska.

He was preceded in death by his mother; father; stepfather; children, Christopher Gordon and Carrie Ann Maher; two of his sisters, Arliss (Maher) Gruver and Glenda (Maher) Smethurst; two stepbrothers, Stanley (Bob) and Bennie Cregger. Left to cherish his memories are the love of his life, Kathryn (Yakley) Christy; his sister, Karen (Maher) Fitzgerald; his stepchildren, Debbie King, Will (Leana) Christy; grandsons, Jay (Megan) Barnhardt Jr, Paul Barnhardt, and Riley Christy; his great granddaughters, Hannah, Haley, Finley, and Aubrey Barnhardt; his goddaughter, Becky Potter; and dear friend, whom he considered a daughter, Cheryle Bailey; along with many relatives, other "adopted" family members and friends.

A small family gathering to celebrate Gordon's life will be held in the coming summer. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to ACAT Cat Rescue, P.O. Box 212555, Anchorage, AK 99521-2555, www.alaswkacatadoptionteam.org in his name.