Wayne R. Gamon

Wayne R. Gamon, age 75, of Washington, passed away peacefully Sunday, March 15, 2015 at the Veteran’s Hospital in Iowa City. Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, March 22, 2015 at the United Methodist Church in Washington with Pastor Jim Stiles officiating. General calling hours will be held from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015 at the Jones & Eden Funeral Home. The family will be present to receive friends from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. Saturday. Interment with military honors conducted by Washington American Legion Post 29 will take place at Elm Grove Cemetery in Washington. A memorial fund has been established of which will be distributed to several charities. Online condolences may be sent for Wayne’s family through the web at www.jonesfh.com Wayne R. Gamon was born July 21, 1939 at the family farm home in Washington, Iowa, the son of John R. and Helen (Henderson) Gamon. He graduated from Washington High School in 1957 and from Iowa State University with a degree in agronomy in 1961. Wayne was united in marriage to Edonna Borchardt on Father’s Day, June 17, 1962 at the First Methodist Church in Des Moines, Iowa. Wayne received his commission to the United States Army Artillery Division (Big Red One) where he served during the Berlin and Cuban Alert crises, and recognizance in Vietnam. After the military, he returned to the family farm with his father and brother in the Pleasant Hill area southeast of Washington. In 1999, Edonna and Wayne moved into Washington where they started their antique business. Wayne belonged to many Washington community organizations such as Farm Bureau, Washington Golf and Country Club and the Y’s Men’s Club, where he served as past president in all three organizations. He also served on the Blair House Board and was the past president of the Washington Community Center Theater Inc. Board. Wayne was active in many Y’s Men’s Community Theater productions, including playing the principal parts in several plays, and singing in the chorus for many others. He enjoyed singing in theater events as well as in the church choirs and for the Washington Choral Society. He was an avid golfer and participated in several years of the National Disabled Veteran’s Tee Tournaments by GIVE Foundation at Riverside Golf Resort, earning first place awards. Wayne was a dedicated member of and loved his card playing groups, right up to his final days. One of his greatest pleasures in life was reading to, playing with and attending the many activities of his grandchildren. He loved to creatively cook and provided dinners for many family gatherings and community events, including Veteran’s Day suppers. Wayne was selected as the Pork Cookout King at the 1973 Iowa State Fair. He went on to the national competition at the Pork Congress with his Blue Ribbon BBQ Loin-back Ribs. One of his favorite hobbies was collecting replica cannons. He designed and built a full sized early era cannon that was used and fired at many community events including 4th of July, Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations and Wednesday night concerts in Central Park. He is survived by his wife, Edonna Gamon; son, Evan Gamon; daughter, Angela Greiner and husband John; grandchildren: Alexander, Peyton and Olivia Greiner; sister, Martha Fish; sister-in-law, Julia Gamon; maternal aunt, Edie Trotter and many nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harold Gamon; twin grandsons, Chandler and Clayton Greiner; brother-in-law, Fred Fish; and nephew, Owen Gamon.

Wayne R. Gamon

July 21, 1939 - March 15, 2015