Obituary of Gary Morris Witteman

Gary Morris Witteman of Portland, Oregon passed away peacefully at the age of 83 on April 8, 2021. Gary was born to Ed and Christine Witteman, née Wright, near Westhope, North Dakota on June 6, 1937. Ed and Christine farmed land in Bottineau County and they later had homes in Westhope and Minot. Gary had an older sister, Norma, an older brother, Victor, and a younger sister Darlene. Gary attended public schools in Westhope, and later studied electrical engineering at North Dakota State University. He took a job with Boeing in Seattle after graduation. In Seattle he met Marcia Ann Whalen. They married in 1962 and they had three children: Mike, Mark, and MaryBeth. Gary left Boeing after about a year for a position with the Federal Aviation Administration and later worked for the Bonneville Power Administration. In the early years of his career he lived in Seattle, Oklahoma City, and Great Falls, Montana, but settled in Portland in 1963 where all of his children were raised. Gary and Marcia divorced in 1985. He married Dorothy Mackie in 1990. Gary retired in 1992, and he and Dorothy enjoyed traveling together, along with various volunteer work and political activism. They were active members of the Parkrose Community United Church of Christ. They also enjoyed attending their grand childrens' athletic events, plus stage and musical performances. Dorothy passed away in 2012. Gary lived his final two years at Russellville Park in Portland, most of it in their memory care unit. Gary enjoyed the group activities there, and his children extend their gratitude for the warmth and care the staff consistently supplied, along with that of Bristol Hospice. Gary is survived by his three adult children, Mike, Mark, and MaryBeth, and their mother Marcia. Gary is also survived by Dorothy's three children, who he loved dearly: Mike, Jim, and Dan, and by eight grand children and three great grandchild. Gary is preceded in death by his parents Ed and Christine, his wife Dorothy, and his siblings Norma, Vic, and Darlene. There will be a memorial service at Parkrose Community United Church of Christ on Sunday June 27 as part of their weekly service, which starts at 10:00 am. Seating is limited due to pandemic restrictions, so please contact the church to enquire, or plan to watch via the church’s Facebook Live Stream. A second in-person service will be held at 1:00 pm the same day at Sunnyside Little Chapel of the Chimes. Gary will be buried alongside Dorothy’s at Sunnyside Memorial Gardens. Instead of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research. Tribucast Link to attend Gary's Memorial Service virtually: https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/3533729671