Gordon Everett desperately wants to be here for his daughter Piper's sixth birthday. It could be the last one he celebrates with her.

On Feb. 18, 2009, Gordon learned he had Stage 4 lung cancer - the most advanced level of the disease. Doctors told him he had between 10 and 12 months to live.

The North Bend man has a history of confronting medical challenges. He was diagnosed with polio at nine months old. Doctors said he'd never walk. They were wrong. He not only got control of his legs, he also developed into one of Southern California's top gymnastic talents.

It started in October 2008, with a cough that wouldn't go away. He didn't realize what it was.

He still didn't connect the dots when he woke up one December morning and couldn't hear his children.

Posing for his stepdaughter's first prom picture wasn't easy for Gordon Everett. He felt so tired.

He didn't have the energy to put on his shoes. He had spent most of the day in bed, weakened by the chemo-therapy drugs.

Independence is important to Gordon Everett. The past couple of years, he ran several departments at Bay Area Hospital. He tackled problems with gusto. He relished the time after others went home, when he could work alone for a while.

It's Tuesday afternoon and Gordon Everett is sitting in his armchair. This day of the week hasn't been kind to him in the past few months. It's when the chemo-therapy does its worst to his body.

Gordon Everett, who had shared his story of fighting lung cancer with The World's readers, died Sunday in Central Point. He was 56 years old.

The California native made a name for himself as an all-conference high school gymnast despite being diagnosed with polio at 9 months. After college at San Jose State, he started a 32-year career in health care. A critical care nurse, he moved to Coos Bay in 2004 to work at Bay Area Hospital, where he managed the emergency department.