Jon Guyon Blissett

Jon Guyon Blissett June 23, 1937 - August 8, 2026

Jon "the Clam man" Blissett quietly passed August 8th at his Gearhart home, family and best dog by his side. His grace and gentle humor followed him to the end, leaving a legacy of generating smiles for those fortunate to have experienced his inimitable style and wisdom in his 89 years.

A lifetime local on the Oregon coast, Jon was born in Astoria to Guyon Lucius Blissett and Elise Marie Osburn Blissett. He spent his youth between Astoria, Neahkahnie and Gearhart, graduating from St Mary's Star of the Sea and Seaside High School. A year at OSU, service in the US Army then graduating from OTI completed Jon's time away from his coastal home.

In 1961 he purchased the iconic Chevron Service Station in downtown Gearhart, made it uniquely his own, became "Gas Jon" to locals. The sixties were a busy time for Jon, marrying Nancy Ann Klosterman and starting their family of 3 boys, Guyon, Jeffery and James. Jon managed to balance work and family while keeping a full schedule including horses, dory fishing, clamming, crabbing, mushrooming, cutting firewood, hunting and attending local high school sporting events, whatever each season had to offer. All things he could be found doing if not on duty as a member of the Gearhart Volunteer Fire Department. 60 years of service to his community.

Legendary tales sprouted from those years, the best of times when the ocean was bountiful and escapades of dory men, clammers and firemen were the highlights of Gearhart Market coffee klatches. In 1982 Nancy Blissett passed, leaving Jon and their 3 boys to navigate the teenage years with the solidarity of family and friends. Jon permanently closed the Chevron station in 1992, signage appropriately calling it "End of an Era".

10 years later Jon's life changed when he invited Gretchen Day on a first date - a week of riding horses in Spray, Oregon on Rockey and Rahlie Goodell's spectacular Corncob Ranch. 

Upon their return they were inseparable, ultimately marrying in a quiet ceremony held in the grassy dunes of Gearhart. Their 22 years together were filled with love, laughter and a deep appreciation of their coastal lifestyle, heartfelt believers in "No place like home". 

Jon was preceded in death by his first wife Nancy Ann Klosterman; sister Suzanne Elise Maltman; brother Tom. 

He leaves behind his wife Gretchen; sister Rahlie (Rockey) Goodell; sister Sally (Barry) Finley; children Guyon (Lisa); Jeffery (Julie); James (Debbi); grandchildren Elizabeth, Jane, Abby and Alexa; great grandson Silas. Jon's much loved extended family includes numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and in laws from the Osburn, Maltman, Goodell and Klosterman families. 

The family would like to thank the stellar staffs at Providence Seaside Hospital and Lower Columbia Hospice Care for helping to create a comfortable, loving experience during Jon's last chapter. 

A celebration of life will be held at a later date, TBD. 

In memoriam the family suggests donations to Seaside Kids Inc.