S. NELSON of Chisago City, Minnesota, passed away September 7,
1998 at the age of 80.
Gordy grew up in Mayer, Minnesota, and worked at various farms
in and around the area. In the 1930s with the help of the NYA, he
attended Dun-woody Institute and received training as a
machinist.
During World War II Gordy worked for Lockheed Aircraft in
California to help with the war effort. After returning to
Minnesota, he worked as a machinist for various companies including
Comet Scooter Company, until getting a job at Honeywell. He worked
for Honeywell as a tool and die maker for 21 years and was involved
in making items used by NASA in the space program.
In 1965, Gordy started Gor-Nel-Co, turning his hobby of
collecting engines into making parts for old engines and tractors.
It developed into a mail order business sending parts all over the
U. S., Canada, England, and Australia, and was one of the first in
the business. He discontinued the business in 1982, but still found
time to help collectors.
Gordy enjoyed going to many auctions and engine shows over the
years and made many wonderful friends. He will be very missed by
Irmgard, his wife of 55 years, daughter Janice Olesen, son Glen
Nelson, grandchildren Heidi Pip-ken and Jay Johnson, and his many
engine show friends.
Submitted by his friend Ken Dawson, Shoreview, Minnesota.
VICTOR GUSTAFSON, JR. of Marysville, Washington, died peacefully
at his home September 23, 1998, after a brief bout with cancer. He
is survived by Blanche, his wife of 37 years; two sons, Bob and
Bryan; daughter Leanne; his mother, Pearl Gustafson Faulkner; and
ten grandchildren.
Vic grew up in the Everett/Marysville area, and worked for Puget
Sound Trucking Line, with almost 2,000,000 miles of accident-free
driving.
Vic, a well-known engine enthusiast, attended shows and parades
in the Puget Sound area of western Washington. His light
tiller-steered 1901 Ford Replica, which he built from scratch 36
years ago using a Wade one-cylinder dragsaw engine for power and
heavy duty spoked wheelchair wheels, was always a crowd pleaser at
shows and parades. He mastered the temperamental two-cycle engine
better than anyone I know, and always had it running smooth. Also,
he had about a dozen stationary engines, preferring the
throttle-governed engines over hit and miss. Besides restoring
engines, repairing and restoring old mantle and grandfather clocks
was another of his fun hobbies.
Vic was a charter member of EDGE&TA Branch 26. He was a
regular at club events, and will be remembered both for his
considerate manner and his attention to detail in his displays. He
had a quiet, calm way of speaking, but always had something
interesting to say over the popping of his engines.
His engine friends have lost a special friend.
Submitted by Branch 26 member Don Lallemand, 6801 Scenic Drive
N.W., Marysville, Washington 98271.