Gordon LeRoy Goree passed away on January 25, 2026 at Dunklau Gardens in Fremont. He was born on June 26, 1933 in Fremont. He spent much of his childhood in Hooper with his grandparents, and on his aunt and uncle’s farm.
He was a graduate of Fremont High School. On July 18, 1952, he married the love of his life, Irene Gerathewohl. They celebrated 73 years together. Their retirement years were spent between their homes in Fremont; Baudette, Minnesota; and Alamo, Texas.
Gordon loved the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He was involved in stock car racing and was part owner of a stock car. After high school, he joined the Nebraska National Guard, Company C, 128th Engineer Battalion, and in 1955, he received a citation from the State of Nebraska for Soldier of his Unit during the year’s Field Training Period.
Gordon worked various jobs, including owning a Texaco station in Hooper. He was a skilled carpenter who constructed a new home for his family, and built fiberglass airboats for himself and others. After 17 years with Hormel, he left in 1976 to start his own company, Goree Backhoe & Excavating, which will mark its 50th anniversary next month.
Over his lifetime, Gordon was a member of the Hooper Volunteer Fire Department, Fremont FOE Post #200, Fremont Contractors, and the Nebraska Snowmobile Association. He also served on the Planning Commission for the Village of Inglewood. Gordon was a lifetime member of the Fremont Airboat Club and the Nebraska Airboat Association. He was often called upon to assist in water rescues during emergencies.
He is survived by his daughters, Linda (Bob) Betkie and Janice (John) Anderson, of Fremont, and Joan (Tim) Sparks of Lincoln; his sons, Roger (Rita) Goree and Greg (Candace) Goree of Fremont; seven grandchildren, Mike Wittmann of Hickman, Nebraska; Katie Owen of Fremont; Ben Wittmann, Ryan (Meagan) Wittmann; Amy (Scot) Moore, all of Lincoln; Maggie (Christian) Bergheim of Lawton, Iowa; and Richard Goree of Omaha; and fifteen great-grandchildren.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife, Irene, on November 19, 2025; his parents, Florence (Meyer) and Chuck Goree; his sisters, Julene Zimmerman, Marlene Dukes, and Dorothy Dobbins; his brother, Donald Goree; his grandparents, Amelia (Klussendorf) and J.H.C. Meyer; his beloved aunt and uncle Mildred (Meyer) and Elmer Uehling.
A Celebration of Life will be conducted Saturday, January 31, 2026, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Fremont Eagles Club, 649 N. Main Street in Fremont. Gordon’s wish was to donate his body to science.
Memorials may be directed to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.mosermemorialchapels.com
