Ernest "Ivan" Gorton

Ernest “Ivan” Gorton, age 96, of Grove, Oklahoma passed away on Monday, November 28, 2022 at his home after a short illness. Ivan was born on June 11, 1926, to Ernest and Helen (Huggins) Gorton in rural Grove and attended Hickory Grove School and then Grove High School.. After high school, Ivan worked in the oil fields traveling to Panama, Texas and southern California, where he worked on a fishing boat and then as a contractor where he helped build some of the tallest buildings in San Francisco. San Francisco is where he met the love of his life, Ruth Powers when he borrowed an alarm clock from her, as they happened to live in the same apartment building. They were married on July 1, 1949. In 2010, his devoted wife Ruth passed away after nearly 61 years of marriage, and Ivan moved back to his roots in Grove. He attended Freewill Baptist Church and enjoyed playing the mandolin for weddings at Audrey’s Wedding Chapel in Fairland. He was exceptionally musically inclined and could pick up any instrument and play it. His favorite was the mandolin, but no musical instrument was beyond his expertise. Ivan loved music of all kinds and enjoyed playing whenever and wherever he had the chance. He was a master craftsman and building things were one of Ivan’s favorite pastimes. In recent years he had begun building a full-sized steamboat with his cousin Bob Huggins and unfortunately had not been able to complete it. Ivan will be remembered as fun loving, friendly and outgoing. He never met a stranger and most definitely possessed the ‘gift of gab’. He brought happiness and joy to everyone that knew him and made this world a better place. He was very altruistic, always giving a hand up to anyone in need and never expecting anything in return. He will be dearly missed by his family and a host of friends and acquaintances. Ivan was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ruth Gorton and daughter, Vivienne Crampton. Left to cherish his memory, daughters, Yvonne (Gorton) Smith of San Jose, California, Adrienne Gorton of Modesto, California; three grandchildren Arianne Ragudo, Bianca Crampton and James Crampton; and two great grandchildren Isabella and Olivia Ragudo; and his companion of 8 years Troyce Troutman. Visitation for family and friends will be from 1pm – 3pm Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at Nichols-Stephens Funeral Service.

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Ernest "Ivan" Gorton

June 11, 1926 - November 28, 2022