Obituary of John Everett Gordon

Doctor, Pastor John E. Gordon, Sr., the son of the late John and Lucy Gordon, was born June 16th, 1953. He Lived Dr. Gordon received his education in Baltimore City Public Schools. He began high school at Baltimore Polytechnic High School and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1971. Upon graduation John realized his low draft number would require him to go to Vietnam so he postponed his college plans because he "had no dough, had to go". He served in the US Army from 1971-1973 as a medic and paratrooper and received medals for bravery and valor with a honorable discharge. Upon John's return to the US, he began college at Morgan State University and soon after transferred to University of Maryland Baltimore County. He immersed himself in his studies but soon discovered UMBC was not as diverse as he would have liked so he transferred to Howard University where he enjoyed the mentoring he desired from professors of color who supported and encouraged him to go after his dream of becoming a medical doctor. From an early age, John knew he wanted to be a MD. In middle school, on career day, students were asked to stand and declare their ambitions. When it was his turn, he stood and loudly shouted "I am going to be a doctor." His 8th grade teacher promptly told him to sit down and stop being a clown. He was so hurt and embarrassed that he went home and spent a considerable amount of time building a bomb to blow up his teacher. Thankfully, the bomb exploded in his hand (causing severe damage to his pinky finger) as he tried to transport it from the basement of his home to school. John graduated from Howard University in 1977 with a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and four years later graduated from University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, realizing his dream of becoming a MD. Dr. Gordon was every man and woman's doctor. He was compassionate and caring aa in Internal Medicine resident but soon discovered Anesthesiology and never looked back. Dr. John Gordon was the first Black board-certified Anesthesiologist in the State of Maryland. He was the Chairman of the Anesthesia Department at Liberty Medical Center, in Baltimore in the late eighties and went then practiced in Pain Management at Harbor Medical Center. He was also the Director of Anesthesia services at the Central Maryland Surgery Center on Joh Ave in Baltimore. Dr. Gordon later transferred his skills to North Arundel Hospital where he managed a group of eight anesthesiologists for the remainder of his medical career. That was Dr. Gordon. John, the man, was full of convictions and you knew it the first time you spoke with him. He had a rock-solid relationship with King Jesus that served him to the very end. His church was where he found his life's deepest joy and satisfaction. John loved deeply. His "Sunshine" and his children were the greatest joys of his life. Any hours he had not working, were spent taking pictures of his family, vacationing and spreading the Word. He was never a member of any clubs or organizations that would require him to be away from his family. John enjoyed tennis, running, fishing, cooking and was the best crab cake maker on the East Coast. John was a strict disciplinarian, much to his children's chagrin, and was a constant preacher-teacher. "Don't throw away that ketchup bottle with all that ketchup in the bottom, turn it upside down for 10 minutes and leave it that way until you get every drop." Or "when mom is away you can eat ice cream for breakfast and cereal for dinner…that's our secret." "Never look down on anyone, always be humble, helpful and respectful." "Always give God the glory." John treated employees fairly and treated every human with respect and dignity. He greeted the janitor the same as the CEO. He had a heart for the homeless and marginalized so much so that he brought a guest home for lunch whom he learned after lunch, was a paroled convicted murderer. That was John. He Served Upon John's retirement from medicine, and after his cancer diagnosis, he enrolled in Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, MD where he earned a Master's degree in Christian Counseling and Discipleship in 2006. It was a lifelong dream deferred and where his star shone the brightest. Pastor John was passionate about his faith and he never sugar-coated the truth. Everyone he met knew his convictions. Even in his chemotherapy chair, John was witnessing to other cancer patients and would often joke that "they were his captive audience, they can't leave." He used well the extra time the Lord gave him. He was able to share his passion for Christ and Christ's love for all image bearers around the globe. Short-term mission trips allowed him the opportunity to share the gospel in Ghana, S. Africa, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Belize, Jamaica and just about any place his health would allow him to travel. John relocated to Wilmington, NC in 2006 to pursue his passion for fishing. The drive to water's edge was no more than 10 minutes and he enjoyed the luxury of fishing every day, weather permitting. There are lots of fishermen in Wilmington who now know Jesus due to Pastor John. It was at his church, Scott's Hill Baptist in Wilmington where he was ordained as a minister of the gospel in 2010. He taught Sunday school, mentored couples anticipating marriage and led Bible studies with his favorite Tuesday morning men's group. In 2016, John's grandchildren brought him to Austin, TX where he continued to immerse himself in the gospel and his men's group through the Austin Stone Church. His heart was full as he was able to spend time loving, playing with and babysitting his seven grandkids. He Said Goodbye On Friday, December 10th, 2021, God called John home. He slipped quietly from earthly life to heavenly joy, at home, surrounded by his wife and children. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Phyllis and brother Daniel. We Mourn His Loss Doctor, Pastor Gordon and Paw-Paw, has left a legacy of love and devotion to his loving "Sunshine": his devoted wife of 44 years, Marva. He's survived by his five children: Lisa, Shaunté (Joshua), John Jr. (Mollie), Brandon (Tara) and Brittany (Tyrell). Paw-Paw is also survived by seven rays of light, his grandchildren: Alayshia, Windsor, Winston "Jack", John III, Natalie, Cameron and Camila. He will be deeply missed by his uncle Harold and Cora Gordon, his mother-in-law Ena, three sisters-in-law, Maureen, Marjorie and Jacqueline and brother-in-law, Hugh. His nephews Dr. Kevin D. Jarvis (Ronette) Daryl Jarvis; and other niece and nephews, his medical school friends, co-workers and co-laborers for the kingdom and many, many, many friends. We Celebrate His Life A viewing for Dr. Gordon will be held on Wednesday, December 29th where the family will receive friends from 5:00 PM until 7:00PM at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD. A homegoing celebration for Dr. Gordon will be held on Thursday, December 30th at the Trinity Life Church, 2122 W. Joppa Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD where the family will receive friends from 10:00AM – 11:00AM with services to follow. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in memory of John to support Dr. Jacob Laubach's research fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO BOX 849168, Boston, MA 02284.