Reginald Calvin Gipson

Reginald Calvin Gipson, age 101 of Union, died Friday, October 7th at Grande Ronde Hospital in La Grande, Oregon.

A celebration of his life will be held Friday, October 28th at 1 p.m. at the Catherine Creek Community Center (formerly United Methodist Church) in Union.  Private interment will be at the Hillcrest East Cemetery in La Grande.  Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center in La Grande.

Reggie (as he was known by most) was born on June 27, 1921 in Spokane, Washington to Calvin and Louise (Essenprice) Gipson.  They lived in Lind, Washington for a few years before moving to Union where he was raised on a farm in High Valley.  Reggie grew up spending long hours helping on the farm, milking as many as 35 cows each morning before heading to school.  His mother died when he was around 3 years old leaving his father and Grandmother to raise him.  He learned to be hardworking and to appreciate the help of others.  He attended school in Union, graduating from Union High School with the class of 1939 and marrying Lucille Brown shortly after.  At the age of 20, Reggie joined the US Navy and went to serve his country during World War II.  After his honorable discharge Reggie operated Gipson Drycleaners in Union for several years then moved to Yakima, Washington to work for the Vernon Company, travelling and selling promotional specialty items to businesses for over 40 years. Reggie loved to share stories of his life and the many friends he made through the years.  He often referenced many stories by saying that he had outlived all his good friends and family being 101 years old.   He had a special love for dogs and horses and spent many hours as a youth and adult riding in the hills and on the ranch.

Lucille and Reggie had two children, Dianne and Gary.  Upon his retirement, the couple returned to the Grande Ronde Valley where he enjoyed his remaining years.  After Lucille’s death in 2005, he married Zella who passed a few years later.

On January 18, 2014 Reggie married Wythel (Delaney) Bronson, Aldrich. Reggie and Wythel were adored by all, bringing smiles to many faces and making friends everywhere they went. They often ate at local restaurants and were a favorite of the waitresses at the Smokehouse.  God blessed them with a special love for each other and the gift of spending their last years together.   Reggie loved to dance until his health prevented it, but he always found time to hold hands and listen to music with Wythel in the evenings. Reggie had a joy for life, a positive attitude and a sparkle in his eye that his close friends and family enjoyed. It was his goal to remain at home as long as possible, and with the support of Wythel’ s  family (Carole and Jeff Smith and Becky McCay) and his grandson Brad Fuller, Reggie was able to remain in his Union home until his last hospitalization.  A special thank you to Dr. Susan Rice and her nurse Lisa for taking good care of Reggie.  Also to the nursing staff at Grande Ronde Hospital who made his last days as comfortable as possible with their compassion and great care.

Surviving relatives include his wife, Wythel Gipson of Union; a daughter Dianne Fuller of Spokane, Washington; step children, Sherril (Mike) White of Pasco, Washington, Carole (Jeff) Smith of La Grande; a grandson, Brad (Terry) Fuller, four grandchildren and many step grandchildren and his very special dog “Yodi”.

He was preceded in death by his parents, previous wives, Lucille and Zella, and his son Gary Gipson.

In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of Reggie can be made to the Union VFW or the Union County Museum.

Online condolences may be left at www.danielsknopp.com

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Memorial Service

Friday, October 28, 2022
1:00 PM

Catherine Creek Community Center

Union, Oregon 97883