GORDON GRANT MEDCALF
1931 - 2012
Gordon G. Medcalf of Kihei, Maui passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 17, 2012 after a lengthy illness. He was 80. He is survived by a brother, Gary (Pat), and sister, Myrna (Robert) Harvey of Bellingham, Washington, three sons, Don (Samantha) of Honolulu, Rick of Lahaina, and David (Olinda) of Washington, and two daughters, Cheryl (the late Les) Reitfors of Hollister, California and Julie (Larry) West of Bellingham, Washington. He also leaves 9 grandchildren Brian, Lori, Ashley, Amanda, Angela, Janelle, Victoria, Bryson and Braden and 7 great-grandchildren Keiffer, Niki, Brittani, Viliami, Brian, Jr., Dylan and Landon and his wife of several years Sue Medcalf.
Gordon was born in Bellingham, Washington on March 26, 1931. He opened Mount Baker Coin Company in Bellingham in 1957. In 1961 he moved with his wife Arlene and young family to Hawaii. He ran his original company from Waikiki, then as Oceania Coin Company in the Alexander Young Hotel in downtown Honolulu. Gordon moved the business in 1964 to the Ala Moana Shopping Center. He conducted business there until 1977.
Also in 1964 he was instrumental in launching the Hawaii State Numismatic Association's annual convention.
Gordon's coin business grew steadily. At the same time, a deep interest led him to become a serious student of Hawaiian history and internationally recognized expert in Hawaiiana, especially items related to the monarchy. He authored several works on Hawaiian coins, tokens and paper money, royal orders and decorations along with royal stationery. He was an ardent researcher, frequent visitor to the Hawaii State Archives, and the many facts he uncovered over the years are still referenced today. He was a frequent consultant to other scholars with similar interests, and a valued contributor to many standard reference books that are still in wide use.
During his long career, Gordon also owned a coin store in the U.S.
Virgin Islands (1978-79). He managed several stores for a coin and stamp concern out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1980-81 before moving back to his beloved Hawaii where he operated Island Coins and Stamps in Lahaina, Maui from 1981 until he retired from the business in 2004. Some of his children have continued his legacy by following in their father's numismatic footsteps.
Gordon was a long-time member of the Professional Numismatists Guild (#120), the American Numismatic Association, the Token and Medal Society (#29), and numerous other professional and collector organizations.
On Monday, March 26 a viewing will take place at the Kihei (Maui) L.D.S. Mormon Ward at 10 AM. Graveside services will follow at the Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku (Maui).
GORDON GRANT MEDCALF
1931 - 2012
Gordon G. Medcalf of Kihei, Maui passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 17, 2012 after a lengthy illness. He was 80. He is survived by a brother, Gary (Pat), and sister, Myrna (Robert) Harvey of Bellingham, Washington, three sons, Don (Samantha) of Honolulu, Rick of Lahaina, and David (Olinda) of Washington, and two daughters, Cheryl (the late Les) Reitfors of Hollister, California and Julie (Larry) West of Bellingham, Washington. He also leaves 9 grandchildren Brian, Lori, Ashley, Amanda, Angela, Janelle, Victoria, Bryson and Braden and 7 great-grandchildren Keiffer, Niki, Brittani, Viliami, Brian, Jr., Dylan and Landon and his wife of several years Sue Medcalf.
Gordon was born in Bellingham, Washington on March 26, 1931. He opened Mount Baker Coin Company in Bellingham in 1957. In 1961 he moved with his wife Arlene and young family to Hawaii. He ran his original company from Waikiki, then as Oceania Coin Company in the Alexander Young Hotel in downtown Honolulu. Gordon moved the business in 1964 to the Ala Moana Shopping Center. He conducted business there until 1977.
Also in 1964 he was instrumental in launching the Hawaii State Numismatic Association's annual convention.
Gordon's coin business grew steadily. At the same time, a deep interest led him to become a serious student of Hawaiian history and internationally recognized expert in Hawaiiana, especially items related to the monarchy. He authored several works on Hawaiian coins, tokens and paper money, royal orders and decorations along with royal stationery. He was an ardent researcher, frequent visitor to the Hawaii State Archives, and the many facts he uncovered over the years are still referenced today. He was a frequent consultant to other scholars with similar interests, and a valued contributor to many standard reference books that are still in wide use.
During his long career, Gordon also owned a coin store in the U.S.
Virgin Islands (1978-79). He managed several stores for a coin and stamp concern out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1980-81 before moving back to his beloved Hawaii where he operated Island Coins and Stamps in Lahaina, Maui from 1981 until he retired from the business in 2004. Some of his children have continued his legacy by following in their father's numismatic footsteps.
Gordon was a long-time member of the Professional Numismatists Guild (#120), the American Numismatic Association, the Token and Medal Society (#29), and numerous other professional and collector organizations.
On Monday, March 26 a viewing will take place at the Kihei (Maui) L.D.S. Mormon Ward at 10 AM. Graveside services will follow at the Valley Isle Memorial Park in Haiku (Maui).Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased
