Gary N. Fadden, Sr. | Obituaries

August 5, 1947 – April 5, 2021

Gary N. Fadden Sr. was born in Littleton, New Hampshhire on August 5, 1947 and died of COVID on April 5, 2021 in Vancouver, Washington.

Gary was born to Edgar J. Fadden and Dayle Hart Fadden. He was the oldest of seven children. Gary graduated from Winlock High School in 1965. He joined the Navy Reserves and went on active service in February 1968. On February 9, 1968, Gary married Laura Boltinghouse. He departed for Vietnam 18 days later for a nine-month tour aboard the aircraft carrier USS Hancock. He returned to the States for a few months and they moved to Alameda, California, where the ship was in dry dock. He then returned to Vietnam for another nine month tour. During this time, his son Gary Jr. was born in Longview in November.

After returning home from his second tour, he returned to work in the Weyerhaeuser pulp laboratory. In the meantime he had applied to the Longview Fire Department. His daughter Becky was born in November 1971. He was hired by the fire department in December 1971. Gary loved being a firefighter and worked his way up from firefighter, driver-operator, lieutenant to eventually retiring as captain. He was very proud of his accomplishments.

After retiring from the fire department, he had a few part-time jobs and worked in construction safety for almost 30 years. He has held many leadership positions in this area. He traveled through the USA, worked on various construction sites and made many friends on these trips.