John Bruce Gordon

John Bruce Gordon age 68 of Bolivar, Missouri passed away Thursday, September 27, 2012. John passed peacefully at his home in Bolivar from his battle with liver cancer. John Gordon was born March 5, 1944 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri to Pastor William S. and Elva Marie Gordon. John was the younger brother of Lynda Sue Gordon Miller. John accepted Christ and lived for much of his childhood in St. Louis, Missouri where his father was a pastor for Missionary Baptist churches. The family moved to Arkansas when John was 17 and he graduated high school from Beebe, Arkansas. John then attended Central Baptist College in Conway, AR where he met and married Sondra Ann Lovelace. John graduated from Central Baptist College in 1964 and then University of Central Arkansas, Conway in 1966 with a degree in Education. John taught students K-12 in New Mexico, Tennessee, Arkansas and Missouri eventually spending his last 17 years of teaching in Licking, Missouri. While there John taught spelling, sponsoring 15 winning Frisco League Spelling Bee teams; creative writing, encouraging his students and students across the state of Missouri to write with the creation of Missouri Student Author Week sponsored by then Missouri Gov. John Ashcroft; reading, challenging students to read more each year knowing that reading is the key to learning; and drug education, hosting Drug Education Festivals for area schools highlighting the importance of making healthy life choices which lead to successful adult lives. Helping students reach their fullest potential was John’s goal. Having graduated last in his own high school graduating class, John used his own story of struggle to highlight what is possible when you have a dream and become dedicated to following it. Throughout his career in education and lifetime John also shared his love of music with the world around him. Playing bass guitar for the Missourians, writing gospel music for various artists including the Oak Ridge Boys, or playing piano on a cruise ship, at restaurants, local events and even at Woods grocery store on Christmas Eve, music was an expression of joy for John and a celebration of the joy inherent in his world. John is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sondra Lovelace Gordon of the home; their daughter and her husband Tisha and Zeke Clawson along with two grandsons Zach and Taylor Clawson all of Bolivar. He was preceded in death by his parents William and Marie Gordon and his sister Lynda Miller. A private inurnment ceremony will held for the family at Greenwood Cemetery in Bolivar. A Celebration of Life honoring John will be held on October 7, 2012 from 2-4 pm at McClelland Dining Hall on the campus of Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. A short memorial service will be held at 3pm as part of the celebration. Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri is in charge of the arrangements. In lieu of flowers John requested donations be made to the Bolivar Care to Learn Foundation. Donations may be made to Bolivar Care To Learn in care of Butler Funeral Home 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

John Bruce Gordon

March 5, 1944 - September 27, 2012