Daniel Dennison Whedon, Jr.

Daniel Dennison Whedon, Jr. was born to Daniel and Gladys (Stevens) Whedon August 11, 1934 in Oregon City, Oregon. Daniel lived his entire life in western Oregon, in the Portland area and at the Oregon coast where he attended Reedsport High School.

Dan graduated with a bachelor degree in education with a history major from the University of Oregon. And he was a Duck thru-and-thru!

In 2004, he met and married his sweetheart and final life partner Gayle Valentine Whedon. She is loved by Dan’s family and has become a great addition to our family. He said, he saved the best for last!

Dan enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 16, with a “modified birthdate” and rumor has it he forged his mothers’ signature to get into the service. He didn’t really know how to drive when they assigned him a crew truck to drive clear across the country with a truck load of troops. When his mother found out he was headed to Korea, she promptly told the Army his correct date of birth and he was sent home at his mothers’ request.

Dan married, and later divorced Yvonne (Brown) Whedon, his high school sweetheart. They had five children together, one of whom died shortly after birth. They raised their family in Eugene Oregon, home of the University of Oregon Ducks.

Dan was a sports enthusiast his entire life. As a young man he played multiple team sports, coached, umpired, and refereed; baseball, basketball, and football. When asked what his favorite sport was he would reply, “what ever they are playing”!

He was a life long Duck fan and a  University of Oregon alumni. He passed this love of the Ducks on to his kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. You could always find a fun gift for Dan if you just selected something with the Ducks theme!

Dan worked as a finance officer in several industries, ending his career in the hardwood industry.  

Dan loved music and sang Barbershop four-part harmony in both quartets and choruses over many, many years. He was awarded ‘Barber Shopper of the Year’ in 1984 for Cascade Chorus. He loved brass instruments and played the trumpet in the army and the tuba in the annual holiday concert “Tuba Christmas” in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

As a life long gardener, Dan taught his family members and friends how to grow the best vegetables ever! He was always joking and making plays on words; keeping people laughing and enjoying life.

Even after he fell in the garden and was hospitalized with a brain bleed he joked with the doctors and nurses in the last days of his life. He was a fun and happy person and thoroughly loved life.

Dan passed away at 88 years young. He is survived by his wife, Gayle Valentine Whedon, his sister Janet Whedon Adrian, half brother James Farmer/ Marta, children Linda J. (Whedon) Boyd, Karen M. (Whedon) Matthews/Michael, Susan L. (Whedon) Seaver/Dave Edwards, grandchildren Rachel Sherwood/Todd Hillsboro, Trevor Sherwood/Ona Aloha, Andrea Wightman Venice Beach CA, Daniel Christiansen Portland, Jennifer (Whedon) Brackett/James Grants Pass OR, Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Christiansen) Beyl/Shaun, Bozeman Montana, and 6 great grandchildren. Jordan, Finley, Connor, Karra, Legion, and Zane.

He was preceded in death by his parents Daniel D. Whedon Sr, Gladys Farmer, son David D. Whedon, Infant daughter, and his half sister Mary (Farmer) Banks.

Please join us for A Celebration of Dan’s Life Thursday September 29th, at 3 pm, at Von Ebert Brewery, Glendover Golf Course, Portland, Oregon 97230. Bring a joke, funny story or a happy memory of Dan to share.

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