Gordon Milo Upshaw

Gordon Milo Upshaw, also known to his family and old friends as Jelly, was born on August 19, 1933 in Carney, Oklahoma. He was one of two sons of Arnold Lee and Netty Ione (Robertson) Upshaw. The Upshaw family moved frequently during the next several years, residing in Shawnee, Seminole and Tulsa before finally moving to Cleveland in 1946. Although Ron was the younger brother, both Gordon and Ron graduated from Cleveland High School together with the Class of 1953 because of an injury Gordon received while he was young. As a child, while playing in a tree, Gordon slipped and caught his foot in a branch and hung upside down for quite sometime before a passerby rescued him. Surgery required him to miss the first year of school.

After graduation, both Gordon and Ron began careers as electricians as they became members of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union 584 in Tulsa. In 1956, Gordon was inducted into the service of his country in the United States Army and after completion of boot camp returned to Cleveland and was married to Bonnye Joyce Dixon on May 14, 1956 at the First Christian Church. The couple then moved to Fort Benning, Georgia where they resided until Gordon's release from active duty in 1958. While residing in Georgia, their first child, Michael was born.

Upon his honorable discharge, the couple and their infant son returned to Cleveland where they established their home. They had three more children during the next several years, all daughters, Gwyndolyn, Elizabeth and Stephanie. Gordon and his brother, Ron were almost inseparable as their families traveled all over the United States during the next forty-four years, working as electricians following jobs through the IBEW, Local Union 585. Even if the families were to take separate vacations it seem that they most always ended up at the same places. On one occasion, the two families traveling different routes without even knowing ended up at Yosemite National Park together. While separately hunting for a place to live on one particular job, the two brothers ended up with apartments that were only separated by an adjoining back wall. The closeness of the two brothers during their life has been remarkable. Co-workers would look on in wonderment, watching the two brothers working together without having to verbally communicate as each one knew what the other was doing.

Being raised in a Christian home and attending church regularly as a child, shaped Gordon's philosophy on life and guided his principles which he instilled in his children and grandchildren. He was quoted as saying, "the most important thing in life is to live a Christian life." He remained faithful throughout his illness, worrying more about his family than himself. Gordon was always thankful for the blessings that God had provided during his life for himself and his family and that led to his loving nature and contentment.

Gordon was described by his family as a neat, meticulous, timely, faithful and providing husband, father, grandfather and brother. He always placed the needs of his family above his own and was always available to help anyone in need. He enjoyed ice cream every evening and would never be found without hard candy or chocolate in his pocket to provide to all those around. He cherished the time he had with his wife, Bonnye and enjoyed spending time with her in the evening just outside talking.

Gordon's hobbies including working in his shop which included tinkering on just about anything that had an engine including lawnmowers and automobiles. He also enjoyed traveling but most of all loved having his family together for meals and visits. He also was an avid bodybuilder and weight lifter with his brother in their early adult years. Additionally, he liked watching western movies.

Gordon passed away on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at his home in Cleveland at the age of seventy-four. He was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold Lee and Nettie Ione Upshaw. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years, Bonnye of the home, a son and his wife, Michael and Nicky Upshaw of Stillwater, Oklahoma; three daughters and their husbands, Gywn and Kelley Pogue of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Elizabeth and Bill Cox of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Stephanie and Wade Wolf of Chelsea, Oklahoma;
nine grandchildren, Jeremy and Alexis Upshaw of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Ashleigh and Haley Pogue of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Mitchell Cox of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Marissa, Danielle, Dean Michael and Anna Wolf, all of Chelsea, Oklahoma; brother and his wife, Ronald Lee and Carol Upshaw of Cleveland, Oklahoma.