DARYL R. GORDON
EAGLE LAKE & ST. ALBANS - Daryl R. Gordon, 60, of Eagle Lake died in the line of duty on Thursday, March 24, 2011, when his warden service plane went down in a remote area of northern Maine. He was born July 11, 1950 in Hartland, ME, a son of James Edward Gordon Jr. and Camilla Rae (Chute) Gordon Nutter. He graduated from Hartland Academy, Class of 1968.

Daryl served eighteen months of active duty in the U.S Marine Corps. Twelve of those eighteen months he served in Vietnam, where he was in command of a platoon of 12 Marines and 25 South Vietnamese soldiers. In May 1970, he was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat. During his military service, Daryl also earned the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, The Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal in 1970.

Daryl joined the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife as a game warden in 1986 at the age of 35. He worked out of the Calais, Lincoln, Skowhegan, and Bingham districts. Daryl proudly served the Maine Warden Service for 25 years. He spent 18 years as a district warden and was promoted for his final 7 years as a warden pilot flying out of the George E. Townsend Seaplane Base in Eagle Lake.

Daryl spent most of his spare time doing the things he loved, such as hunting, fishing, and snowmobiling with those closest to him, as well as vacationing with his family. He was also a skilled taxidermist. Daryl was an active member in numerous churches within the communities where he lived, and was highly devoted to his Christian faith.

Daryl is survived by his wife Rita, to whom he was happily married for 35 years; two sons, Daryl R. Gordon II and wife Kelly Gordon of Canaan, James E. Gordon III of St. Albans and girlfriend Sarah Tischart; mother Camilla Nutter and husband George Harold Nutter of St. Albans; step-mother Sharon West and husband Jerrill of Hartland; brothers, Dale and Trevor Gordon, of St. Albans, George “Tommy” Nutter of Ripley, David Nutter of Benton; sisters, Helen Snowman of Hartland, Holli Stedman and , Bonnie Lawrence, both of St. Albans: and all of their children and grandchildren; loving aunts uncles and cousins, as well as a host of extended family, church family and friends who will miss him dearly.

Daryl was predeceased by his father James Edward Gordon, Jr., brother Henry Nutter and sister Margaret Nutter.

A law enforcement funeral will be held on Wednesday, March 30, 1:00 p.m. at the Augusta Civic Center followed by a graveside service held at 6:00 p.m. at Maloon Cemetery in Saint Albans.

Arrangements are by Crosby & Neal, Newport. Those who wish may leave written condolences at www.CrosbyNeal.com.