Gilbert Joseph Alden

Born in Salem, Oregon, to Clyde and Mildred Alden, the youngest of four, Gil died in Walla Walla.  He attended Morningside Elementary, Leslie Junior High, and North High Schools, graduating from McNary High School in 1978.  Gil's mother died when he was 11, and when he was 15, Gil asked the State of Oregon to place him into foster care.  He was placed with Bill and Marie Krauss, who loved him as their own, remaining dear  the rest of their lives.  It was through the Krauss family that Gil came to hear and understand the gospel, and he accepted Christ as his Savior in February 1977, which he always asserted was the best decision of his life.

Gil joined the Navy in May 1979, where he was chosen for the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard, serving, as he liked to say, at the White House, the Pentagon, and Arlington National Cemetery.  He loved to tell the story of how he stood "this close" to Ronald Reagan at the U.S. Capitol for five minutes on Inauguration Day, marveling that God had blessed him with the privilege.  All the rest of his life, Gil was proud to be a veteran.

After his discharge in May 1983, Gil moved to Juneau and then back to Oregon to enroll at Portland State University, graduating with a degree in theater arts.  To put himself through college and, later, seminary, Gil worked full-time at Salem's Oregon State Hospital as a psychiatric security aide.  He met his wife Angie at Salem Heights Baptist Church in 1989 and married her on July 28, 1990.

Saying "there would be no Academy Awards in heaven," Gil gave up the dream of becoming an actor and instead enrolled at Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, graduating in 1994 with an  M.Div., after which he worked as a chaplain at the Union Gospel Mission in Spokane.  In 2000, he was hired by Washington State Penitentiary as a chaplain, where he worked until his death.  Gil was awarded Staff of the Year in 2001; he loved being a WSP chaplain, saying he would do it for free if need be.  He had such a heart for inmates and staff alike.

Gil loved to travel and was blessed to serve as chaplain on about a dozen Holland America Line cruises to Alaska, Mexico, and the Panama Canal.  Gil acted at the Little Theatre in various productions.  He was an avid bicyclist, swimmer and walker, also loving to build museum-quality 1/24-scale armored tanks.  Gil had acute radars for cats and  chocolate.  He had a keen sense of humor, honed in childhood by Looney Tunes, loving a good laugh, even and maybe especially when it was at his expense.

Gil loved the Bible, and it was his privilege to teach and preach it.  Gil volunteered in many capacities, both formally and informally, looking for opportunities to serve and help others.  Gil simply loved people, and many loved him back.  He was especially loved and respected for his fierce devotion to God and his desire to know, embrace and proclaim the truth of God's Word.

Gil is survived by his beloved Angie and his siblings Greg and Gail.  He was preceded in death by his parents and oldest brother Gary.  He is survived by many friends, including Fred Jones of Missoula, MT; Mike and Kathy Patterson of Hermiston, OR; and Walla Wallans too numerous to name.

In keeping with his wishes, Gil will be cremated.  In lieu of flowers or any other remembrances, Gil would want any donations to be made to Angie's alma mater, Corban University, 5000 Deer Park Drive SE, Salem, Oregon  97317, as he believed in its mission "to educate Christians who will make a difference for Jesus Christ."  A service may be held at a later date.

2 Corinthians 5:6-8:  ". . . but we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."  Mt. 26:23:  "Well done, good and faithful servant."