John Gordon Blythe, 101
John Gordon Blythe passed away peacefully at State Street Assisted Living in Dover, DE on December 29, 2022.
Gordon was born June 23, 1921 in Philadelphia, PA to John and Sophie Blythe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy and his son-in-law, John Newman.
After graduating from Springfield High School, he attended Ursinus College before enlisting in the United States Army Air Corps. As 2nd Lieutenant, he became a B17 pilot, flying 35 bombing missions while stationed in England in WWII.
After the war and marrying his first wife, Muriel, they joined the Reapers Fellowship and served the mission in Holland. Gordon and Muriel had seven children. After leaving the Mission, they lived in Lancaster, PA before moving to New Hampshire. They eventually moved to Delaware to be near some of their children. While in New Hampshire, Gordon worked for Roy-Mal Industries. After moving to Delaware, Gordon did a variety of work including teaching, working at Equitable Bank and working as a guide at Dickinson Mansion. During this time, he finished his education -- receiving his BA as a History major from Wesley College in Dover, DE, and believed to be, at that time, its oldest graduate.
His first wife, Muriel passed away in 1991. He married his second wife, Mary (Wragg) in 2001 who passed away in 2020.
Gordon is survived by his children, Charles Blythe of Felton, DE, Carole Newman of Magnolia, DE, Nancy Jacob (Tim) of New Brunswick, Canada, Gordon Blythe, Jr. (Joyce) of Hillsboro, NH, Timothy Blythe (Darlene) of Camden, DE, Peter Blythe (Tina) of Newport, NH, and Ruthann Westover of Claremont, NH. In addition, he is survived by four stepdaughters. Janet Majer (Bill) of Morgantown, PA, Susan Bruno (Carl) of Suffolk, VA, Elisabeth Wragg and her husband Alan Nold of Dover, DE, Vickie Smith of Seaford, DE; and a host of grandchildren, step-grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
The family wishes to give special thanks to Tanya Krestian and Janet Majer for all the wonderful, loving care they gave to Gordon and Mary in their final years.
Services will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 350 McKee Road, Dover, DE 19904 starting with visitation at 10 AM, service at 11 AM followed by burial at Barratts Chapel Cemetery, Frederica, then back to the church for refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Christiana Accent Hospice Care, 220 Continental Drive, Suite 407, Newark, DE 19718.
Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.