Gordon Carrigan Obituary

April13, 1935 - April 27, 2021

Gordon R. "Gordy" Carrigan Died peacefully at his home in Central Point April 27, 2021. He was 86. Born April 13, 1935 in Medford, Oregon, the fourth of Anna and Eugene Carrigan's eight children, Gordy was a beloved husband, father, an accomplished scholar athlete, teacher and coach. Gordy graduated in 1954 from Crater High School in Central Point Oregon, earning 16 varsity letters and twice being named All Conference in football and basketball. He was later inducted into the Crater High School Hall of Fame. At Southern Oregon University, Gordy was a three-time Oregon Collegiate Conference all-star guard from 1958-1961, scoring over 1,000 career points and leading the Red Raiders to a league basketball title in the 1959/60 season. He was Southern Oregon University's first Academic All American in basketball in 1959, and repeated in 1960. He was also two-time Southern Oregon University Student Athlete of the Year and, after finishing 11th nationally in receptions and receiving yards, earned All American Honorable Mention in football. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in physical education, later earning a master's degree, and was inducted in to the Southern Oregon University Hall of Fame in 1999. After coaching basketball and football at Mapleton and Glide High Schools, Gordy became a teacher, assistant football coach and the head basketball coach at Jesuit High School in Portland, Oregon from 1967 through 1976. His teams achieved several Wilco and Metro League Championships, and went to the State Basketball Tournament six times, making the finals in 1967 and 1970. Gordy was known as a positive, innovative and forward-thinking coach, and was always well-liked by his players. First Team All-State Tournament Selection Kevin Kelly said; "Without really forcing anything, he really made the team more of a family, and caused everyone to get together." Gordy went on to coach at Southern Oregon University, and at Bend High School. He took great pleasure working with young athletes on sportsmanship and improving their game. He was inducted in to the Jesuit High School Hall of Fame in 2015. After Gordy's retirement from coaching, he lived in southern Oregon, continuing to inspire those around him with his innovative and positive outlook. He loved spending time with his family, golfing, fishing, mushroom hunting and other outdoor activities. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Donna Carrigan and her four children, his brother David Carrigan, his sisters Joanne Troutman, Marlene Lunsford, and Debbie Crippen, his former wife of over 20 years Sue Carrigan, his three sons Cris, Casey and Cy, and his four grandchildren Kevin, Clay, Claire and Cooper. He was also "Grandpa" to Donna's nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Please join us at Gordy's Celebration of Life Sunday, May 23rd from 2-4 p.m. at Twin Creek Park, 555 Twin Creek Crossing Loop, Central Point, Oregon.