In Memoriam: Gaylord Industries’ Ed Gaylord

Edson Clem Gaylord, who spent 25 years running and expanding the namesake company his father founded, died December 9 in Wilsonville, Ore., five days before his 84th birthday.

After working for his father, Asa, the Portland native acquired the Tualatin, Ore., maker of ventilation equipment in 1974. Under his leadership, Gaylord Industries expanded to a worldwide organization and from a staff of 20 to more than 160 employees at its headquarters. In December 1999, Gaylord sold the company to Illinois Tool Works, and it became part of the Glenview, Ill., firm’s Food Equipment Group; today, ITW FEG also includes Vulcan, Wolf, Berkel, Wittco, Hobart, Traulsen, Baxter, Stero, and Bonnet.

He is survived by Jeanne, his wife of 56 years; five children; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.