Russell Gordon

Russell Conley “Sonny” Gordon was born on December 13, 1931 on a farm near Forest City, Missouri. He was the son of Howard R. and Helen A. (Bursha) Gordon. He was the oldest sibling of four children: Pat, Shirley, and Mart.

Russell graduated from Forest City High School. After graduation he worked in the Gordon Quarry, and then continued his education at Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri, learning electronics.

He was working in Savannah, Missouri at Breit Quarry when he met Doris Jean Hayward. They married in Bentonville, Arkansas on May 19, 1952. Together they had five living children: Dave, Thomas, Richard, Karen, and Gary.

Russell worked as a computer technician for Univac, traveling to various places in the United States and around the world. In 1972 he acquired Shenandoah Ceramic Supply in Shenandoah, Iowa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Patricia Rogerson; an infant son, Russell, Jr.; and one infant granddaughter, Erin Joy Falk.

Survivors include his wife, Doris, of their Shenandoah home; brother, Albert M. "Mart" (Bonnie) Gordon of Forest City; sister, Shirley Gordon of Forest City; his five children, Dave (Toshie) Gordon of Shenandoah, Thomas (Susan) Gordon of Tuscon, Arizona, Richard (Tanya) Gordon of Lake Forest, California, Karen (Bodie) Falk, of Shenandoah, and Gary Gordon of Shenandoah; 13 grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

Russell was a member of AFAM Masonic Order in Oregon, Missouri and a veteran of the United States Navy. He enjoyed nature, his family, and visiting with his Forest City alumni.

Services: Wednesday, September 11, 2019,  2:00 pm, Chamberlain Funeral Home, Oregon, Missouri. Family will greet friends one hour prior to services. Interment: Forest City Union Cemetery.