[br][br]Gordon was born in Baca County, Colorado, to Ivan and Hazel O'Bleness. He died in Spokane at the age of 88.
In 1937 he moved with his family from Kansas to Kingston, Idaho. In 1942 Gordon was baptized as one of Jehovah's Witnesses. He firmly believed that taking up arms in warfare would violate Christ's direction to love one's neighbors and even one's enemies. This caused him to take a strictly neutral position in political matters. When 18 years old, Gordon refused to report for military service and was arrested. In Coeur d'Alene he was sentenced to 26 months in Federal prison. He used his time in prison as an opportunity to grow in knowledge and stronger in faith through study and prayer. After release in 1946 he met Lorraine Becklund. They married in 1948 and lived in Coeur d'Alene, setting a fine example as hard workers who were loyal to God and each other. They moved to Spokane in 1976 and enjoyed serving with Sunset Hill and South Hill Congregations. Jehovah's Witnesses have no salaried clergy so in Coeur d'Alene Gordon worked at NIC, Diamond National sawmill, and built homes. Later he did maintenance work and apartment management. After retirement, they sold wooden puzzle boxes made by Gordon, often at craft shows.
Gordon had confidence in his creator's promise to end all suffering and restore peace to the earth. His family and friends look forward to being reunited with him when he is resurrected in the promised Paradise. Gordon was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Lorraine, his parents, brother Lawrence, and in-laws, Alfred and Lydia Becklund. He is survived by his sisters Eunice and Dorothy, brothers Andrew, Arthur, Bruce, and Martin, children Mark, Nathan, and Julie, ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren.
Memorial service at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 2405 East 57th Avenue, Spokane, Saturday, June 7, 1:00 PM. Officiated by James Pool. ASL translation by Russell Weimers.