Gordon "Corky" Fort

Gordon Wayne Fort, son of Ann Marie (Wombolt) and Thomas Fort, was born in Red Oak, Iowa on March 8, 1928. Corky, as he was known by family and friends, attended school in Red Oak, but left before graduating to join the United States Navy. Corky served on the USS Destroyer Estes as a Gunners Mate during WWII. While in San Diego, California Corky met Della Iline Triplett, who along with other girls had stopped by the ship on a "pick up date." Corky and Della were together from that moment on. They were married in Greenfield, Iowa on April 7, 1949 and made their home in Red Oak. Corky began work at the Union Carbide Plant in Red Oak and their marriage was blessed with four children; Diane, Marvin, Edward, and Douglas. Corky made the cake which was placed inside the battery housings at Union Carbide. When the company wanted to change formulas, they would call on Corky and the Red Oak plant to experiment with different compounds. Corky had a great appreciation for education, and as his children approached their high school graduations, Corky completed his GED, explaining that he could not ask his children to do something he did not. Corky was a member of the Red Oak P...[more]

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byterian Church, the American Legion, and was a Scoutmaster, he enjoyed fishing and hunting, and loved to work with kids. When the Union Carbide plant changed hands, Corky stayed on and soon was working for Ralston-Purina. When Corky retired in 1990 he was the first 40 plus year employee to have worked at the same plant. In 1999, Corky and Della moved from their Red Oak home to Glenwood, Iowa to be closer to their youngest son Doug. Corky and Della had been married 55 years when Corky died at his home on January 14, 2005. He had attained the age of 76 years, 10 months, and 6 days. Corky was preceded in death by his parents; brother Marvin Fort; sisters Nadine Oakleaf, Maxine Christiansen , and Eileen Fort. He is survived by his wife Della Fort of Glenwood; daughter Diane Meyer and her husband Wes of Shenandoah, IA; sons Marvin "Corky" Fort and his wife Andrea of Lake Villa, Il, Edward Fort and his wife Etta of Red Oak, and Douglas Fort of Glenwood; sisters Geraldine Clark of Red Oak, Marilyn Lee of Creston, IA, Twila Erickson of Sidney, IA, and Sherry Bradway of Council Bluffs, IA; brothers Edward Fort of Red Oak, and Tom Fort and his wife Marilyn of Clarinda; 7 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; nieces and nephews; other relatives, friends, and his constant companion Jake.