Gaylord Maine

GAYLORD LAURANCE MAINE of Yakima, age 101, passed away from us but reunited with his wife of 74 years, Barbara, on October 20th, 2024, in Yakima, WA. He was born October 5th, 1923, in Powell, South Dakota, the son of Herbert and Melvina (Boyle) Maine. He was one of 10 children. Upon his mother’s passing, his father married Myrtle (McDaniel) Maine and welcomed her and her 3 children to the family. Herbert and Myrtle continued growing the family with 6 more children.  Upon completing the 8th grade, Gaylord worked on the family farm, milking the cows. He occasionally worked outside the farm. In 1943, Gaylord joined the U.S. Army; he served his country as a U.S. Army Tec 5 combat infantryman in World War II in Europe and North Africa until his return home in 1946. He was a life member of VFW Post 379 in Yakima. As a member of The Greatest Generation, you often saw him proudly wearing his WWII Veterans baseball cap adorned with his medals (Bronze Star, African Middle Eastern Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal) and pins from his service.  In November 1948, he married the love of his life, Barbara M. Dorsett, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Yakima. They created a wonderful life together filled with adventure, laughter, and, most importantly…love for each other and their family. He started his career as a farmer. A few years later, he took a job at Northern Pacific Railroad, which later became Burlington Northern Railroad. He held various positions while he, Barbara, and their children moved around eastern Washington until his retirement in 1986 as a Section Foreman in Toppenish, WA. He and Barbara loved camping. Over many years, they spent many summer weekends at Twentynine Pines campground on the north fork of the Teanaway River with family. Playing cards around the campfire, hiking to Red Top Lookout, and sliding down the snow slide farther up always made the trips memorable.  Gaylord loved all 19 of his siblings and their families. He and Barbara and their children enjoyed spending time with each family. In 1974, the Maine Family reunions were officially created. These reunions are held every two years, and Gaylord and Barbara made it a priority to attend. It’s believed that up until Gaylord’s passing, he only missed two reunions.   He and Barbara were snowbirds for many years, traveling to Yuma, AZ, during the winter and making friends while visiting their daughter Gayla, grandchildren, and other relatives.  When he wasn’t outside creating soda can airplanes, macrame lawn chairs, or fixing something that usually involved a ladder, you could find him inside reading one of his favorite authors, Louis L’Amour, tinkering with his train set, watching westerns or sports (Mariners and Seahawks), and even sitting next to Barbara watching her favorite soap opera on the television or helping her wash the dishes - drying was strictly his job. He loved spending time, teasing, and visiting with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He often treated his grandchildren to Dairy Queen for dilly bars. His quick wit and one-liners are legendary and often said to this day amongst his family. There were some that caused Barbara to roll her eyes and sternly yell, “Father!” Gaylord is survived by: 4 siblings: Larry (Barbara) Maine of Othello, WA; Yvonne (Dennis) Parr of Sulton, WA; Myrtle Rose (Callie) Voss of Warden, WA; Jean Harmening of Yakima, WA, and many, many nephews and nieces. 4 children: Jim (Peggy) Maine of Yakima, WA; Judy Maine of Pahrump, NV; Bev (Dave) Arens of Yakima, WA; and Gayla Marsh of Gilbert, AZ. 8 grandchildren: Chad (Mayeli) Graff of Jacksonville, NC; Jim Jr. (Melissa) Maine of Beaverton, OR; Vanessa (Aaron) Krantz of Selah, WA; Dan Maine of Goldendale, WA; Sarah Guzmán of Spokane, WA; Heather (Kyle) Smith of Gilbert, AZ; Tyson (Brandy) Marsh of Chandler, AZ; and Nic Marsh of Mesa, AZ.   13 great-grandchildren: Clarissa (Caleb) Yancy, Michael Sanchez Graff, Austin Maine, Noah Adamo, Lily Adamo, CJ Graff, Jayden Dunn, Kylar Maine, Jonah Adamo, AnnaLucia Guzmán, Jacob Adamo, Koby Bustillos, and Meadow Smith.  2 great-great grandchildren: Canaan Yancy and Chandler Yancy. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara, of 74 years, son Bruce Maine, and granddaughter Tanya Graff, as well as his father Herbert, mother Melvina, stepmother Myrtle, and siblings Vernon Maine, Melvin Maine, Howard Maine, Jerry (Fat) Maine, Harold (Roud) Maine, Doris Folger, Phyllis Dorsett, Marvin Maine, Dorothy Peterson, Richard Maine, Leonard Maine, Gary Maine, Leo Maine, Patty McDaniel, and Denny McDaniel. A Funeral will be celebrated on Saturday, November 16th at 10:00 a.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Loop Ln, Yakima, WA 98901. Graveside with Military Honors at 11:15 a.m. at Calvary Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1405 S 24th Ave, Yakima, WA 98901. After the graveside service, a luncheon will be held at Valley Hills Funeral Home to share stories and laughter. The family would like to thank Brookdale Senior Living, Willow Springs Skilled Nursing, Josie Ponce, and Melissa Dellinger for Gaylord’s care.  The family suggests a memorial gift to St. Jude Children's Hospital. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gaylord Maine, please visit our flower store.