After fighting a courageous battle against cancer, Gordon Eugene Overbeck died peacefully on Saturday, Sept. 12 at his home near Big Piney, surrounded by his adoring family. He was 77 years old.

Gordon was born Nov. 20, 1942 in Brookville, Penn. to Eugene Albert Overbeck and Doris "June" Smith. Though he was an only child, he had plenty of uncles, aunts, and cousins his own age with whom he grew up and had close relationships.

Until the age of 14, Gordon lived and attended school at Tonawanda, NY. He then attended school at Brookville, Penn. In 1961, before finishing high school, he moved with his cousin, Bob Hetrick, to Big Piney to find work in the oilfields. In 1962, he attained his High School Equivalency Diploma.

Though he originally intended to stay in Big Piney temporarily, it was there, in 1961, that he met his soulmate, Carol Ann "Jill" Clark. They were married in Randolph, Utah on Dec. 22, 1962. Gordon and Jill chose to stay in Big Piney to raise their family, which included 3 daughters and a variety of pets and livestock of all shapes and sizes. They lived in town until 1972 when they moved west on Middle Piney Road to the place now known by family and friends as "Overbeck Hill."

Early in his career, Gordon worked as a roustabout for several years before being hired as a pumper for Amoco. He then became a pumper at Belco Oil & Gas and remained at the field office in Big Piney through the various changes in owners, working his way up to foreman. He retired from EOG Resources at age 55 but returned a couple of years later to work as a contract pumper.

Gordon was a Mason and active in the Big Piney Lodge. He was also naturally athletic. He played baseball in high school, was on the Waterhole #3 softball team for many years, and coached Little League. He earned bowling trophies as a member of the Sandbaggers League in Big Piney.

However, anyone who knew Gordon knows that his true passions were fishing and hunting. When he wasn't doing one of these in his spare time, he was planning and preparing for the next outing. He spent hours in his workshop making fishing lures and tinkering with all his fishing/hunting equipment and gadgets. He often scoped the fields and mountains near his home for wildlife.

According to his family and friends, there was not a person in the world who knew Gordon that did not like him. He had an incredible sense of humor and charm that endeared him to everyone he met. He was selfless and kind, but he could also be firm when he had to be to protect his family and the employees he supervised. He displayed these qualities right up to the very end, joking with his medical team and family with a twinkle in his eye, even after he knew he didn't have a lot of time left. His only request in his final days was for everyone to make sure Jill is taken care of when he is gone.

Above all else, Gordon was a model husband, father and grandfather. Whenever possible, he and Jill were there supporting their children and grandchildren in all their school activities and major life events. In turn, his daughters and grandchildren loved him and looked up to him. He was, and will always be, their true superhero.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents, Eugene and June Overbeck; and his cousin, Bob Hetrick.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jill Overbeck of Big Piney; daughters, Carol (Brian) Sawyer of Cottonwood, Ariz., Rita (Mark) Bjornestad of Powell, and Sharon (Dave) Jackson of Astoria, Ore.; grandchildren, April (Drew) Peregoy of Riverton, Gordon (Lyndsey) Sawyer of Casper, Hannah Donayri of Pendleton, Ore., Danielle Donayri of Astoria, Ore., Rachel Bjornestad (Tim Adams) of Boise, Idaho, Jonathan Bjornestad (Bryanna Sanders) of Powell, and Alex Bjornestad of Powell; great-grandchildren, Lennyx Sanders and Lochlann Bjornestad of Powell; and numerous beloved uncles, aunts and cousins.

At his request, no memorial services will be held. Instead, a celebration of life will take place later on a date yet to be determined.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Kickin' Cancer in Sublette County.