Ethel Jean Gordon (1919 – 1976) Theodore John “Hank” Dekker Jr. (1910 – 1984)

1. Ethel Jean Gordon Dekker (1919 – 1976)
Theodore John “Hank” Dekker Jr. (1910 – 1984)
Ethel Jean Gordon:
Born: 4 Feb 1919 Smithfield, Cache Co., Utah
Died: 26 Mar 1976 , San Rafael, Marin Co,,California
Burail: 29 Mar 1976 San Rafael, Marin Co, California
Married: 2 Nov 1935 Divorced
Richard Frank Crocker
Married: 1 May 1944 San Francisco, California
Theodore John “Hank” Dekker Jr.
Born: 5 Dec 1910 Rotterdam, Holland
Died: 1984 California
My Story Ethel Jean Gordon
I am the fifth daughter, the ninth of ten children of Samuel Arthur and Harriet Louisa Meikle Gordon. I
was born 4 Feb 1919, in Smithfield, Utah. This was my mother’s home town.
My childhood was a normal one, watched over by my loving mother, provided for by my wonderful
father, and tended by my loving brothers and sisters.
1924 – Ethel with Mother (Hattie) and Arval 1932

2. I was baptized 27 Oct 1928.
I started school in Beaver, Utah. Then we moved to Salt Lake City and I attended the Grant School.
From there we moved to 3372 South 11th East and I attended the Roosevelt School. I also attended
Granite High School.
As a young girl living in Beaver, Utah I was seriously injured by a falling tree. As a result of this accident
I have never been able to have children. It also left me with a slight limp.
I have been a waitress all my life. I have enjoyed the friendship of many good people. I left Utah in 1936
and my home has been in the beautiful state of California. I met and married Theodora John Dekker Jr.
We were married 1 May 1944, in San Francisco California. We have lived in Mill Valley, all of our
married life and loved this home.
Mill Valley is a city in Marin County, California, United States located about 14 miles north of San
Francisco via the Golden Gate Bridge. San Raphael is a nearby town.
San Francisco Bay Area Golden Gate Bridge toward Mill Valley
Ethel & Hank’s home
Mill Valley, California

3. 1933 1935 1938
1949 1959 1970

4. 1940’s 1940’s 1949
1940’s 1960
1949 1958

6. Your tombstone stands neglected and alone.
The name and date are chiseled out on polished, marbled stone.
It reaches out to all who care. It is too late to mourn.
You did not know that I exist. You died and I was born.
Yet each of us are cells of you in flesh, in blood, in bone.
Our heart contracts and beats a pulse entirely not our own.
Dear Ancestor, the place you filled so many years ago.
Spreads out among the ones you left who would have loved you so.
I wonder as you lived and loved, I wonder if you knew
That someday I would find this spot and come to visit you.

8. Mount Tamalpais Cemetery, San Rafael, Marin County, California, USA
Directions
From U.S. Highway 101 – Going either north or south on U.S Highway 101, take the Central San
Rafael Exit. If you are going south when taking the Central San Rafael Exit, continue a few blocks
until Fifth Avenue and turn right (west) onto Fifth Avenue. Stay on Fifth Avenue to the end (about two
miles). If you are going northwhen taking the Central San Rafael Exit, continue a few blocks until
Fifth Avenue and turn left (west) onto Fifth Avenue. Stay on Fifth Avenue to the end (about two
miles).
http://www.findagrave.com/php/famous.php?page=cem&FScemeteryid=8182