Richard "Dick" Edmund Gordon

Richard "Dick" Edmund Gordon age 92 finished the earthly portion of his eternal journey May 15, 2019 at Grace Ridge Retirement community. Mr. Gordon was preceded in death by his loving wife of 34 years, Marilyn. He is survived by Mildred L. Radar, companion, his daughters Suzanne Gordon Best, Nancy Joyce Gordon, PhD, sons Richard Arrick Gordon and Charles Edmund Gordon II. Two grandchildren, Richard Mark Best and Ashley Best Evans, husband Courtney and twin sons Cole and Connor Evans. Other family members include Marilyn's sister Myra Malone Hoyle and husband Jerry, son Dr. John R. Hoyle, wife Dr. Gretchen Shaffner-Smith and daughter Caroline and son Wyatt. Daughter Elizabeth Hoyle Gibson and daughters Chloe and Ella.

Mr. Gordon was born November 9, 1926 in Columbus, Ohio the son of the late Charles E. and Mary J. Gordon. Mr. Gordon at the age of 3 moved with his family to the Main Line section west of Philadelphia, PA. He graduated in 1944 from the Haverford School lettering in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track. He was awarded the National Track and Field Qualification Medal. He entered the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC for one quarter before leaving for two years of service in the U.S. Navy serving in all four major ocean theaters and the Persian Gulf.

Mr. Gordon returned to UNC where he was a member of the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Order of the Holy Grail, Treasurer of the student body, Business Manager of the yearbook, Company Commander in the Naval ROTC and assorted other campus activities. He graduated in 1950 with a B.S. in Marketing. He was the permanent Treasurer of the Class of 1950.

Mr. Gordon entered the furniture business associated with his father in a 300,000 sq ft furniture manufacturing factory in Asheville. Drexel Heritage Furnishings, in 1963 purchased the company. Mr. Gordon accepted a position in the Contract Division of Drexel Heritage and moved his family to Morganton in 1964. Drexel Heritage, under the leadership of Mr. Gordon was a pioneer in International Marketing for the furniture industry. He was a Director of the Marketing Division of the Southern Furniture Manufacturing Association. He served as an advisor to Governor Hunt in his effort to establish the Port of Wilmington as a premier East Coast Port. Mr. Gordon received Governor Hunts "Award of Excellence" on behalf of Drexel Heritage Furnishings as an initial NC pioneer in International Furniture Marketing. In Asheville he was a member of the Asheville Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards, Rotary and Biltmore Forest Country Club.

In 1978 Mr. Gordon was selected Morganton's "Man of the Year". It was Mr. Gordon's life's long goal to be a catalyst for establishing worthwhile activities in the community.

Mr. Gordon was active in many segments of our daily lives. In the social area he served as Chairman of the Burke County Dept. of Social Services, Director of the Western Carolina Center Foundation, Founder of Burke County chapter of the March of Dimes and President Council on Alcoholism. He was a Founding member of the Flynn Christian Home. Founding Board member of Options, Inc. and Founder of the Burke Arts Council on behalf of the Morganton Service League. He was active for 48 years in Kiwanis whose emphasis is in serving children, an area and regional participant in the scholarship selection process of the John Motley Morehead Foundation sponsored through the University of North Carolina, co¬founder of the Burke Alliance for Youth, Families and Education. He was a co¬founder of the Burke Tennis Club, a sponsor of the Morganton Swim Team and a certified AAU swimming official, and through Kiwanis, the recreation departments Junior Baseball leagues. Mr. Gordon was active in the Presbyterian Church serving as a Deacon, Elder, Choir member and over 60 years as an adult Sunday school teacher. He was president of the life enrichment Center and Director at the Pastoral Care Foundation located in Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC.

Founder of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and local and State Board member. Executive Committee of the Old Courthouse Restoration Committee: known as the custodians of the pigeons. Other civic activities included the general chairman and later President of the United Way Drive, President and Board member of the Community Concert Association.

A memorial Service will be held at 11am May 31, 2019 at First Presbyterian Church, Morganton, NC. with Rev. John Hagmann, and Rev. Dr. Bob Shepherd officiating. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to Grace Ridge Retirement Center, attn: The Educational Foundation Fund, 500 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.

The family would like to thank Burke Hospice and Palliative Care for their attentive and loving care of our father.