John Earl Gordon, 87, Stockton, passed away at Magnolia Square Nursing Home in Springfield, on April 29, 2009. John was born June 7, 1921, at the Gordon farm near Stockton. He attended grade school at the Gordon School House and high school at Caplinger Mills and El Dorado Springs.
John entered the Armed Forces on June 13, 1942, at Camp Robison, AR, and served in the Aleutian Islands for two and a half years. He was discharged from the Army at Ft. Lawton, WA, on Oct. 30, 1945.
On Jan. 1, 1947, John married Betty Timmons. They had two children, Cheryl Spencer and Janis Counts. John and Betty bought the land on Horse Creek and there they spent their lives raising sheep, hogs and cattle. After the death of his father, John made it possible for his mother, Lois, to stay on the farm helping her raise cattle and farming the land. He was a good neighbor, was loved by his family and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was baptized in 2007 in the Church of Christ.
John was preceded in death by his parents, John Bertrum and Lois; one brother, Lester “Pete” Gordon; two sisters, Flossie Byerly and Alice Slichenmyer; and a grandson, Reid Chandler Counts.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Cheryl, and son-in-law, Terry Spencer – El Dorado Springs, and Janis, and son-in-law, Steve Counts – Nixa; four grandchildren – April Spencer, Chay Spencer, and wife, Jacqueline, Cortney Maddox, and husband, Dana, and Piper Counts; four great-grandchildren – Dylan Maddox, Sydney Grace Maddox, Jade Spencer and Zane Spencer; three sisters – Mabel Gordon, Dorothy Reed and Donnie Reynolds; one brother-in-law, Jess “Tubby” Reynolds; and several nephews and nieces.
Services were held at Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home on Saturday, May 2, with David Studer and Steve Counts officiating. Music was provided by a friend of the family, Onetta Hammitt. Burial followed at the Mound Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home in El Dorado Springs.
Pallbearers were – Terry Spencer, Steve Counts, Chay Spencer, Dana Maddox, Chad Reynolds and Charles Wackerly. Honorary pallbearers were – Jess “Tubby” Reynolds, Clarence Hackleman, Sonny Lovewell, Larry Pace, Larry Floyd, Joe Barger and Charles Sumner.
Memorial contributions may be made to Fair Haven Children’s Home – Strafford, and left at the funeral home.
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