Cordell W. Gehling, Walt, 87, passed away suddenly on Sunday, December 31, 2023, New Years Eve in Citrus Heights, California. He was born in Patzau, Wisconsin on October 24, 1936, a rural community south of Superior, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Gehling, a blue collar worker, his mother Clara Gehling a school teacher, his wife Mary Chan Bersamin and son Richard C. Bersamin. Cordell is survived by his younger sister Hester M. Gehling, his daughters Katy, Rose, Mary, and Joanne, his son Tony, granddaughter Jennifer, grandsons Christopher, Anthony, and David, great granddaughters Faith, Natalia, Jerrick and Jomel and son in-laws Steven, William and David. Walt was exceptionally loving, giving, honorable, and the epitome of a humble man who cared for his family before himself. Both his wife Mary and Walt considered each other their Angel on Earth. Cordell joined the United States Air Force in 1957 at the age of 20 and served our country with pride and distinction for 23 years. He attained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant with specialties as Administrative Superintendent and Legal Services Superintendent. Having a background in legal services, Cordell joined The Superior Court of California, San Francisco, as his second distinguished career. At the time of his retirement in June of 2000, being supervisor of the courtroom clerks, he was beloved by his clerks and Court Family at the San Francisco Civic Center Courthouse. Mary and Cordell loved the art of cooking together. They were teammates while they prepared and cooked for days prior to most Family celebrations because their goal was perfection and happiness for all. Another passion for Mary and Cordell was traveling. “On the Road Again,” by Willie Nelson epitomized their love they both shared when it was time to travel. They fortuitously met in the Bahamas in the early 1970’s and their friendship blossomed through the years. Singing duets and spontaneous joking with each other daily conveyed their never-ending love for each other. Traveling alone or with Family by car locally, air or via a boat cruise to an exotic destination established memorable highlights for them. Cordell loved Mexican food. His favorite restaurant was any Chevy’s restaurant and he always remarked that it tasted better than authentic Mexican cuisine in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Another favorite place for Mary and Cordell was Nick’s Seafood restaurant where they would savor the world famous grilled dungeness crab sandwich countless times in Pacifica, CA. Walt, his nickname, had an intense passion for cars. He loved baseball and both Tony and he relished many San Francisco Giants games at PacBell Park. Hester, his sister, said he always held a baseball in his hand growing up during his childhood days. Walt, his nickname, had an intense passion for cars. As a hobby, he would disassemble, repair and put them back together with great joy. When it came to vintage cars, he could name any make or model. From carpentry to electrical Walt enjoyed getting his hands dirty on multiple family projects. He learned the latter skills from growing up modestly with no running water and back then repairs were accomplished by relying on one’s own abilities. Cordell was a jogger when he was younger, and immensely enjoyed long summer walks in the hot sun of Lake California. He was an avid reader and completed countless newspaper crossword puzzles. With Mary, the Love of his Life, he enjoyed watching their favorite weekly TV shows. Cordell will be sorely missed. Cordell’s Celebration of Life will be held Friday, February 16, 2024 at St Gabriel Roman Catholic Church, 2559 40th Ave., San Francisco, CA 94116; followed by Mary & Cordell’s internment, Holy Cross Cemetery at 2pm, 1500 Mission Road, Colma CA 94014

Related Keywords

California , United States , Patzau , Wisconsin , Pacifica , Bahamas , The , Mexico , Holy Cross Cemetery , San Francisco , Cabo San Lucas , Baja California Sur , Mexican , Cordellw Gehling , Mary Cordell , Mary Chan Bersamin , Willie Nelson , Hesterm Gehling , Joseph Gehling , Richardc Bersamin , Clara Gehling , Court Family , Anthony , St Gabriel Roman Catholic Church , San Francisco Civic Center Courthouse , United States Air , Legal Services Superintendent , New Years Eve , Citrus Heights , United States Air Force , Senior Master Sergeant , Administrative Superintendent , Legal Services , Superior Court , San Francisco Civic Center , Road Again , San Francisco Giants ,