Mr. Henry Gordon

Henry Dale Gordon was born in Summit, Mississippi on August 29, 1934 to the late George and Ruby Gordon. On the evening of May 22, 2015, at Tendercare Health and Rehabilitation Center, Our Heavenly Father called another servant peacefully home. Henry who gave his life to Christ at an early age, was a former member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Henry was the seventh of twelve children. In the late 1950’s, Henry’s older brother, Willie Howard left Mississippi for Michigan to seek better employment opportunities. Soon after, Willie Howard relocated to Kalamazoo with his younger brother Henry and other siblings joining him. Subsequently, Henry met and married Griselda Daniel and during their 25 year marriage, they raised four children. Henry was employed by General Motors for 25 years. Following his retirement from GM, he started a small cleaning and maintenance business and worked in building this business until he officially retired a few years ago. A devoted and protective father, he raised his children with a strong work ethic and moral code. A gifted carpenter and builder, he enjoyed working on various projects around the house. He could repair just about anything, and took great pride in his ability to construct, renovate and create unique structures. When the family lived in Paw-Paw, with the help of his young boys, Henry built a beautiful 20x20 recreation room equipped with all of the special features and gadgets that were popular during that time. A hardworking man, he taught his children how to live on a farm, and took great pleasure in presenting them with unique experiences and challenges that living in a rural setting brings. Quiet, introverted, and easy-going, Henry enjoyed outdoor activities, such as, fishing, hunting, landscaping, and chopping wood for the winter. Socially, he enjoyed the company of his family, especially his brothers and older sister Emma, with whom he shared a special bond. In his later years, Henry met and married former wife, Erma Jones Gordon of Portage, Michigan. Henry was preceded in death by his son, Cornell; four brothers, George, Jr., Robert, James Lee, and Leroy; and five sisters, Remell, Georgia Mae, Mary Helen, Marilyn, and Sarah. Henry will be sorely missed by his three adult children, Gary Len Gordon of Kalamazoo Michigan, Cheri Ann Telfair of Atlanta, Georgia, and Patrick Gordon (Sharon Kirkland-Gordon) of Bowie, Maryland; brother, Willie Howard Gordon of Kalamazoo; sister, Emma Powell of Kalamazoo; 8 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews and other extended family in Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Arizona, and Texas.

Mr. Henry Gordon

August 29, 1934 - May 22, 2015