Obituary of Robert Dirk Gum

A viewing will be held prior to the service begiining at 1:00 PM Robert Dirk Gum Robert Dirk Gum, 73, a 12 year resident of Tenino, Washington, died July 20, 2007. He was born April 30, 1934 in Bartow, West Virginia to Robert and Chessa (Ervin) Gum. He married the former Jeanette Marie Barner in 1958 in Lewiston, Idaho. She survives him. Robert served in the United States Air Force as a Nuclear Weapons Technician from March 1956 to March 1960 at Deep Creek Strategic Base, Fairchild, Spokane, Washington. He was a 1962 graduate from Cleveland Institute of Electronics, Ohio and was an adult graduate of Olympia High School in 1964. Robert was employed with Rayon Inc. from 1953-1962 in Painesville, Ohio; Pay N Save Drugs from 1966-1972. He was employed for several years at Al Bailey Drugs. Robert owned North Street Grocery from 1976-1984. Before retirement he worked part-time at Wal Mart and Target. Prior to living in Tenino, Robert lived in the Olympia, Washington area for 43 years. Prior to this, he lived in Painesville, Ohio from 1950-1956. His interests included old farm tractors, G-scale model trains, CB radios, woodworking, photography, and was an avid Mariners fan. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Including his wife Jeanette, Robert is survived by 4 sons, Dale, Dennis, Dirk, and Don; 3 daughters, Deanna Gilmore, Dolena Grivell, and Laura Gum; 1 brother, Donald C. Gum; 13 (soon to be 14) grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents also 2 sisters, Marilyn Lambert and Rebecca MacKnight both of Painesville, Ohio. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2007 at the new Masonic Center, 455 North St. SE, Tumwater, Washington. A viewing will be held prior to the service. Burial will take place in Arbovale Cemetery, Green Bank, West Virginia. Please leave condolences online by clicking "View Guestbook" below.