John B. Gordon
John B. Gordon passed away, Thursday, November 10, 2005 after a brief illness. He was born September 27, 1912 in San Antonio, Texas to Frieda B. Gordon and C. L. Gordon. He grew up in Kingsville, Texas, attending Texas A & I University where he played football, graduating with a business degree in 1936. He then moved to Beaumont to begin work with his Uncle W. D. Gordon in the oil and gas business. W. D. Gordon, an attorney, came to Beaumont in 1901.
In 1937 he married Marie Eddins, also of Kingsville. She preceded him in death in 1998. Marie and J. B. Gordon were responsible for the donation of W. D. Gordon land to First Christian Church for Camp Wildurr in Lumberton, and the land where Boys Haven was built on North Major Drive. Both were life long members of First Christian Church, where J. B. was a Trustee, Elder Emeritus and involved in the building of the present Church. He was also a long time member of the Lion’s Club, and U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mr. Gordon loved fishing on Galveston Bay on his boat and the farm on Major Drive. He was loved by his many friends and always had a quick wit about him, and a nickname for everybody who he knew or met.
He volunteered to serve in the Texas State Guard. He served as a 1st Lieutenant, 4th U. S. Naval Air Force during World War II stationed in Addak, Alaska, as a communication officer, decoding messages.
He is survived by his two daughters, Barbara McNeill, and her husband Alan McNeill of Beaumont, and Melinda Paret and her husband Robert Paret, Jr. of Brenham; four grandchildren, Susannah McNeill Cronin, and her husband Kevin of Beaumont, William Gordon McNeil of Beaumont, Brian Peoples of Brenham, and Brandy Nickels of Denver, Colorado; four great granddaughters and three great grandsons.
The family wishes to thank the nursing staff who cared for him in his home; Cecile Melbert, Versie Owens, Vergie Knight, Mary Ann Boone, Lois Rawlins, Loria Pete, Felipe Hernandez, Nestor Aguliar.
Funeral services will be 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, November 13, 2005 at First Christian Church, 5290 North Caldwood Drive under the direction of Broussard’s Mortuary, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. A gathering of family and friends will be Saturday evening November 12, 2005 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the mortuary.
Memorial donations may be made to First Christian Church, 5290 N. Caldwood, Beaumont, Texas 77706.
