Gordon James Colton, 71, of Smethport, died Sunday (October 6, 2013) in UPMC Hamot, Erie, Pa., surrounded by his family.

He was born July 17, 1942 in Erie, a son of Gordon D. and Dorothy Burg Colton. On August 24, 1963, in St. George Church, Erie, PA, he married Joanne H. Zipper, who survives.

Mr. Colton was a graduate of Academy High School (Class of 1960) in Erie, Pa. and attended Gannon University.

Mr. Colton was the Vice President of marketing and sales of Rubber Fab Technologies of New Jersey before he retired. He was an active member of the Trinity Lutheran Church of Smethport, the Bradford Club, the Woodcutters Group, was a former member of the Smethport Country Club, a former member of the Smethport Borough Council, and belonged to the International Society for Pharmaceutical Engineers (ISPE).

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Dorothy Colton of Sun City Center, Fla.; one daughter, Lara E. (Abra Poindexter) Colton of Omaha, Neb.; two sons, G. Brian (Joan) Colton of Conover, N.C. and Kyle J. (Amy) Colton of Alexandria, Va.; two grandsons, G. Thomas Colton and John A. Colton; one sister, Dr. Jan C. Colton of Rushville, Neb. He was preceded in death by his father.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., 2 Bank St., Smethport, Pa. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 11:00 a.m. from the Trinity Lutheran Church, Smethport, with the Rev. Larry Scofield, officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McKean County SPCA, 80 Glenwood Ave., Bradford, PA 16701, or the Trinity Lutheran Church, Smethport, PA 16749. Online condolences may be made at www.hartle-tarboxfuneralhomes.com. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hartle-Tarbox Funeral Homes, Inc., Smethport. Published in the Erie Times-News on Oct. 8, 2013