Graveside service for CW4 (Retired) Gordon D. "Gordy" Colis will be at 11:00 am Thursday, July 14, 2016 in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin with Rev. John Cramer, Retired Methodist Minister, Lawton officiating.

Burial with full military honors will be in the Fort Sill National Cemetery, Elgin, under the direction of Becker-Rabon Funeral Home.

The family will greet friends Wednesday evening, July 13, 2016 from 6pm until 8pm at the funeral home.

CW4 (Retired) Gordon D. "Gordy" Colis, 78, Lawton, passed away Thursday, July 7, 2016 in Reno, NV.  He was born January 6, 1938 in Valley City, ND to Pete and Edith Myrtle (Tvedt) Colis.  He graduated from Valley City College High in 1956.  He was a great athlete and to this day still holds the record at Valley High for the most points scored in a basketball game.  He joined the US Army and retired as a CW4, Master Aviator, after 29 years of service.  He flew fixed wing aircraft, rotary wing and was an instrument examiner.  He was an observation helicopter pilot, a cargo helicopter pilot and a heavy lift helicopter pilot.  One of his greatest achievements in the Army was being with the Executive Presidential Flight Detachment as a pilot who flew Army 1 for President Gerald Ford. Chief Colis honorably served during Vietnam, and earned the following awards for his service; Meritorious Unit Commendation, Master Army Aviator Badge, the Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Medal with 32 Oak Leaf Clusters, Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Vietnam Service Medal with 7 Service Stars, Humanitarian Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Presidential Service Badge.  He married Zella Sue Thompson on June 19, 1997 in Las Vegas, NV.  He earned his Bachelor's of Business from Cameron University, and at the time of his death he was the CEO and co-owner of A-OK Office Systems for the last 32 years.  Gordy was a member of the Vietnam Veterans, the VFW and was a 32nd degree Mason.

Survivors include his wife Sue of the home, children, Sheryl Sims and husband Tommy of Lawton, Debora Horsch and husband  John of Moore, OK, Steven Colis of Fort Worth, TX, Lana Moore and husband Mike of Cache, siblings, Eleanor Ritter and husband Don of Eugene, OR, Beverly Ertelt of Buckley, WA, Donald Colis and wife Viki of Mandan, ND, Caroline Kulek and husband Raymond of Palm Springs, 3 granddaughters, Justine Horsch, Kaylee Horsch, Kelby Sims Timoney, 4 grandsons, Steven Colis, Scott Colis, Grady Moore, Logan Moore, and great granddaughter Adaline Timoney.  He was also survived by very close nephews and niece, Lary Benzinger of Oregon, Dan Colis of Seattle, WA, Vivian Lang of Bismarck, ND and numerous other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Merriam Colis of Seattle, WA, sister Eileen Benzinger and her husband Johnny of Bismarck, ND and a nephew, Gary Benzinger.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans of America, 1004 SW B Avenue, Lawton, OK 73501 or to a local food pantry of your choice.