Gordon “Doc” Max Cresci August 12, 1925 – March 24, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Gordon M. “Doc” Cresci passed peacefully, at his home on March 24, 2019 at 93 years of age. He knew and felt the love, as he was surrounded by his family; a long life, well lived. His love of life and family, keen sense of humor and kindness, service and dedication to his community and country, will be missed beyond words.
Doc was born to Victor and Grace (Tuttle) Cresci, on August 12, 1925 in Grandview, WA and spent his early years on the family’s farm. He graduated from Grandview High School, in 1943 and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944. He joined basic training at Farragut Naval Training Center at Farragut, ID.
After basic training, he was sent to the Richmond Naval Air Station, in southern Florida, for gunnery training. He joined World War II in the Pacific Theater, as a torpedo bomber, tail gunner. In March of 1944, his aircraft was shot down by enemy fire, was lost at sea and Doc and the crew were presumed dead.
After being missing and drifting for 7 days, a search plane spotted their raft, and he and his pilot were rescued. On his return from the war in 1946, he moved back to the Northwest to live in Yakima, WA. In 1947, Doc enlisted in the U.S. Air Force, and was stationed in Hawaii and the Kwajalein Atoll.
He served as a radio man. In 1948, he was transferred to Hamilton AFB in Novado, CA for additional training and after completion was transferred again to McChord AFB, in Tacoma, WA. In 1949, while on leave from the military, his brother Jerry introduced him to the love of his life, June Elizabeth Snyder.
Ironically, Jerry was married to June’s sister, Lois “Kitty” (Snyder) Cresci. The magic happened over a game of pinochle and Doc and June were married October 15th, 1950 at Given’s Corner, in Grandview WA. In the coming years, they would be blessed with 5 children.
The Cresci family moved often while Doc served in the Air Force. He was stationed at McChord AFB in Tacoma, WA in 1950-1952. The family stayed in Tacoma, while Doc served a year in Taigu, Korea in 1953, and on his return, the family was transferred to Larson AFB in Moses Lake, WA.
Many foreign tours followed; to Chaumont, France in 1957, Lakenheath, England in 1960, and a return trip to the US in 1961 to Paine Field AFB, in Everett, Washington and on to Walla Walla AFB, in 1963. Doc was transferred to Toul Rosieres, France in 1964, and Bitburg, Germany from 1965 to 1968. Doc retired from the military after 24 years of service, and the family returned to Walla Walla in 1968, where he began a rewarding career in the insurance business, representing Cal-Farm, Prudential and Mutual of Omaha.
In 1979, Prudential made an offer for Doc to relocate to work in Bitburg, Germany; a place he and June loved so dearly. The couple moved to the small village of Masholder, outside of Bitburg to enjoy their new adventure of work and travel. They returned to Walla Walla in 1986.
Aside from Doc being an avid reader, he was an enthusiastic sportsman, with trophies and awards galore. As a young man, he pole vaulted and threw the javelin, and while in Hawaii on tour, won the javelin competition in the Honolulu relays. He was a champion boxer as the Navy Boxing Flyweight Champ, while stationed in Florida.
He enjoyed watching all sports but especially loved bowling. He spent many hours playing billiards, golfing, horse shoe pitching and playing pinochle. Gordon was a longtime convert and active member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.
He was involved in Knight’s of Columbus and was a Grand Knight. He and his wife June participated in many other service organizations in the Valley. He enjoyed Bible studies and spending time with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, June Cresci, his brother Richard (Patricia) Cresci of Kennewick, WA, daughter Karen (Thomas) Thomas of Milton-Freewater, OR, son Gordon “Peter” (Mary Stemmer) of Modesto, CA, son Gregory (Sue Stapleton) of Walla Walla, WA, daughter Katherine (Joseph) Cresci-Daniel of Armonk, NY and daughter Carole (Kevin) Rust of Duvall, WA; 10 grand children, Jonathan Thomas, Joy (Thomas) Bruns, Alexander and Riley Cresci, Christopher Cresci, Blake and Holly Rust, Emily (Rust) Lane, Zoe and Zachary Daniel, 6 great-grand children; Kaden and Ethan Bruns, Cheyenne and Michael Lane and Brooke and Brodie Thomas, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Gerald Cresci of Pendleton, OR Lloyd Cresci of Sacramento, CA and sister Maxine (White) Cresci of Grandview, WA. Viewing and visitation will be held on Tuesday, April, 2 2019 from 2:00-7:00 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.
Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 9:00 AM at St. Francis Catholic Church. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Saint Vincent De Paul, St. Francis Church, Knight’s of Columbus or Walla Walla Community Hospice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. SERVICES Viewing & Visitation Tuesday, April 02, 2019 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM Herring Groseclose Funeral Home 315 W. Alder Walla Walla, WA 99362 Get Directions on Google Maps Rosary Wednesday, April 03, 2019 9:00 AM St. Francis Catholic Church 722 W. Alder Walla Walla, WA 99362 Get Directions on Google Maps Funeral Mass Wednesday, April 03, 2019 10:00 AM St. Francis Catholic Church 722 W. Alder Walla Walla, WA 99362 Get Directions on Google Maps Burial Wednesday, April 03, 2019 11:00 AM Mountain View Cemetery 2120 S. 2nd Ave.
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