Lifelong radio and sportsman Gordon B. Sherwood, of Bainbridge Island and Bermuda Dunes, Calif., “got a better offer,” and died on Feb. 11. He was 82.

He was born on May 17, 1926 in Shanghai, China to Kathleen and Captain G.B. Sherwood. Although he was sixth generation U.S. Navy, he was deemed too tall in 1943 to be admitted to the U.S. Naval Academy. Instead, he received a waiver to the V-5 program at the University of Washington, and finished at Iowa pre-flight, where he lettered in basketball.

He returned to U.W. in 1945, and under Hec Edmondson, again lettered in basketball. He also lettered in swimming, holding the record for backstroke into the 1950s.

He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and met his wife, Janice, at a dance on campus. They became lifelong dance partners, as well as traditional dance fans.

Swimming for Ray Daughter at the Washington Athletic Club, Gordon was training for the 1948 Olympic Games when he broke his collarbone. He never lost the pull to the games, though, and made it to three during his lifetime.

His radio career began in the 1950s at Seattle radio stations KING and KAYP. He then became part-owner of KENO in Las Vegas, where his two daughters were born.

With his partners in radio, he purchased a station in Bakersfield, Calif., which became Spanish programmed. He and his partner then put KWAC Kirkland/Seattle on the air, the first and only African American programmed and staffed station in the Northwest.

While living in Seattle, Gordon played basketball for the NW League, representing the Elk’s Club, and was active in the Lion’s Club.

He was an avid sports fan who enjoyed golfing, gambling, fishing and boating.

After retirement, he and Jan lived on Bainbridge Island in the summer, and were members of the Wing Point Golf & Country Club. In the winter, they lived in Bermuda Dunes, Calif., where they were members of the Bermuda Dunes Country Club.

He is survived by Jan, his wife of 61 years; two daughters, Kay DuPont (Pat Sawitski) of Poulsbo and Trisha (Bob Thompson) of Longview, Wash.; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial service and a reception to celebrate his life will be held at 3 p.m. May 16 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, corner of 1st Avenue N. and Roy Street in Seattle, at the base of Queen Anne Hill. Remembrances are suggested the charity of your choice.