It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gordon Kenneth Chaytors — a beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend, and a man whose warmth, kindness, and laughter left a lasting mark on everyone he met. 

Gordon will be deeply missed by his wife of 59 years, Karen, and their beloved companion Karma, their Dalmatian. He leaves behind his eldest daughter Cheryl, her husband Bob, and grandson Ben; and his youngest daughter Cathy, her husband Kelly, and grandchildren Ethan and Rainn. Family was the heart of Gordon’s world, and some of his greatest joy came from time spent together. 

Family was truly the center of Gordon’s life. He adored gathering everyone around the table and was famous for his waffles and traditional Sunday dinners, where a roast or steak was always served — along with extra portions, just in case someone new joined the meal. With Gordon, there was always room for one more. 

A man of many talents, Gordon began his working life trying many things including working for the City of Calgary, CP Rail, a flour mill and also drove gravel trucks — and sometimes took Karen and baby Cheryl along for the ride. Later Gordon spent many dedicated years with AGT/TELUS as a telephone lineman and later as a cable locator. It may have seemed like a job to some, but to Gordon, it was an opportunity to travel the Alberta country roads from Hinton to Coronation, Wetaskiwin to Olds and everywhere in between. The fun part was meeting all the people along the way and having a good chat.  

His kindness knew no limits. Gordon would snow blow the entire cul-de-sac without expecting anything in return and never hesitated to help someone in need. One winter evening, he even picked up a couple stranded during a storm and welcomed them into his home as guests. 

What people will remember most was his hearty, deep laugh, his great sense of humour, and his gift for storytelling. As the family historian, Gordon had an incredible memory and loved sharing stories with anyone who would listen — which was usually everyone nearby. He loved music and could often be heard singing along to his favourites — Daniel O’Donnell, Neil Diamond, Rita MacNeil, and many more. 

Gordon lived life with adventure in his heart and kindness in his soul. A passionate pilot, he felt most at peace in the open sky. He was an active member of the Red Deer Flying Club and the Central Alberta Gliding Club and proudly volunteered with the Red Deer International Airshow. He also served with Civil Air Search and Rescue, where he trained alongside the military search and rescue team from Comox, honing his search techniques on the DHC-5 Buffalo aircraft — an experience he spoke of with great pride. 

Adventure was truly in Gordon’s blood. He loved camping, quadding, bonfires, canoeing, and backpacking trips. One especially treasured memory was a canoe and backpacking adventure around Bowron Lakes with family and friends — complete with gourmet meals and even a cheesecake in the wilderness, a true Gordon-style experience. 

He also travelled with the love of his life to beautiful destinations including Europe, a Panama cruise, and RV trips across North America. He made friends wherever he went — even in countries where he didn’t speak the language. In Italy, local children would bring oranges to their camper, drawn to Gordon’s easy smile and welcoming spirit. 

His adventurous spirit knew no limits. He was incredibly handy and loved woodworking, always fixing, building, and lending a helping hand whenever it was needed. He was always eager to learn or try something new — gliding, sailing, boating, water skiing, windsurfing, to name a few. Whether working or retired, Gordon stayed busy. He even took up aquasize in his 80’s, and fortunately for his fellow swim friends, there was always time afterward for coffee and storytelling. He never passed up a good rodeo or an evening at the Cow Patti Dinner Theatre. Gordon lived life with enthusiasm, exactly as it was meant to be lived. 

Gordon was an avid dog lover and always had dogs in his life — from his big red Irish Setter, Boo, to his faithful companion Mocha, who was by his side for 17 years, and most recently, Karma. He loved walking at Three Mile Bend Dog Park and chatting with fellow dog lovers, turning each visit into a social gathering. His motto was simple: “If you invite me, you are inviting my dogs and my family.” 

He found joy in life’s simple pleasures — coffee runs to A&W, antique car shows, conversations with strangers at Costco, and time spent outdoors. No matter where he went, Gordon made friends as though he had known them forever. 

He hated coconut but never turned down a good slice of pie — especially Saskatoon berry pie — and remained a devoted ice cream lover, even braving -20°C weather just weeks ago to visit The Moo in Sylvan Lake. 

One of the family’s favourite camping stories was the time Gordon lost his eyebrows while trying to light the propane fridge — a moment that became legendary and one that never failed to bring laughter. Gordon always laughed the loudest. 

Gordon lived a life full of adventure, generosity, laughter, and love. These are only a few of the many stories that capture who he was. There are surely countless more, and we would love to hear them — because a man who lived as fully and kindly as Gordon left memories everywhere he went. 

He will be forever loved and deeply missed. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date this summer. 

• Date : 2026-02-08
• Location : Red Deer Funeral Home