Gordon “Gordie” Ray Grage

Gordon “Gordie” Ray Grage, beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend, entered into the arms of his Savior on April 25, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and upheld by the enduring faith that marked his life.

Gordie was born on December 5, 1933, in Highbridge, Wisconsin, to Albert and Helen Grage. He lived a life full of purpose, service, and heart. He served his community as a Milwaukee motorcycle policeman, his country in the National Guard, and later in the United States Coast Guard, where one of his proudest achievements was helping supervise the cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

He loved his country and the American flag so deeply that they often brought him to tears. His patriotism was not just a belief but a feeling that ran to the core of who he was as a man.
A man of wide-ranging interests, Gordie was a beekeeper, an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing, and a passionate stock market enthusiast. His natural curiosity kept him learning and exploring well into his later years. He was a competitive shuffleboard player and a tennis enthusiast who relished good games and good company.

Despite facing serious health challenges in his later years, Gordie remained tenacious and optimistic. He would often say sincerely that he was truly blessed. His strong Christian faith only deepened with time, and in his final days, he entirely entrusted everything to God, finding comfort and strength in knowing that the Lord was in control.

Gordie loved deeply and was fiercely proud of his family. Joanne Grage, his children Glenn, Sue, Janell, and Elizabeth, and his sons-in-law Steve, Trey, and David survive him. He cherished his grandchildren: Nichole, Lauren, Adam, Matthew, Alexandra, Caleb, Kristen, Jordan, Mikhaila, Seth, Karlee, Alex, Chandler, Garrett, Sarah, and Tori; and his great-grandchildren: Adriana, Kennedy, Shiloh, James, and Carter. His daughters, whom he affectionately called his “three Angels,” held a particularly special place in his heart.
Gordie is also survived by his brothers Glenn (Dianne) Grage and Dennis Grage, brother-in-law Bill (Mary) Storck, and sister-in-law Dorothy (Carl) Kunzler.
Gordie was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Helen Grage; his father figure, Danny Kimball; his dear sister, Helen “Sis” Browning; John Browning; Barbara Grage; his son-in-law, Dave Hackbarth; and his great-granddaughter, Everett Cox.

A lifelong Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) member, Gordie was devoted to his church families at Chapel of the Cross in Milwaukee, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Marengo, and Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church in Gilbert, Arizona.

In every season, Gordie asked questions – lots of them. He was extremely inquisitive and thoughtful, often circling back to questions to get a little deeper. There’s no doubt that when we meet again, he’ll have plenty more waiting for us and we can’t wait to answer them.

To know Gordie was to love him. He lived boldly, laughed often, gave generously, and loved without hesitation. He will be missed beyond words and remembered with deep affection and love until the day we are reunited in the presence of Christ.

The family asks that you direct memorials in honor of Gordie to Christ Greenfield Lutheran Church and School at 425 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ 85234.
Please join us for a Celebration of Life honoring Gordie on August 23, 2025, graveside at Mount Hope Cemetery in Ashland, Wisconsin. In honor of Gordie’s love of country, we ask that attendees wear red, white, and blue.