James Bryan Gordon

James B. Gordon, 85, Chillicothe, Missouri, was released from his earthly bonds and received by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, May 1, 2011. Jim was born in Kansas City, Kansas on July 26, 1925, the son of James Ralph and Nellie May (Whitaker) Gordon. He attended Rosedale High School until he enlisted in the Navy in May 1943 and was discharged in December 1945. He was very proud of his military service. He was a gunner's mate 2nd class and served aboard LST's 447 and 783. He also sailed aboard the USS Ottawa (AKA-101). He was assigned to the Pacific theater spending time on Bouganville in the Solomon Islands. On October 15, 1954, he married Eileen Springer in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. Jim was a journeyman Sheet Metal Worker with Local Lodge 2 and worked in many shops around the Kansas City area before retiring in 1987. He enjoyed traveling the country with his family and friends. His many interests included bowling, managing little league baseball and softball teams (he won a KCK 3& 2 baseball league city championship in 1963), and restoring vintage automobiles. Jim was an avid reader of historical and military books. He was a member of the CHVA antique car club and enjoyed traveling to car shows to display his vehicles. He was also a member of the Calvary Baptist Church, Chillicothe, Missouri. Jim could never say no to a friend or family member in need. Throughout his life Jim was active with multiple projects involving family and friends. He gave us all a helping hand. Jim was kind, generous, a true friend, a loving husband, dad and grandfather. We will miss him always. Jim is survived by his wife of 56 years, Eileen Gordon; one sister, Dorothy Lantz of Long Beach, California; two sons, Doug Gordon (Libbie), Bryan Gordon (Julie); three daughters, April Crawford (Scott), Carmen Persson (Steve) and Tuesday Robb (Steve); fourteen grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Helen Turner and Marion Chandler, an infant son and a grandson. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 4, 2011 at the Louisburg Baptist Temple in Louisburg, Kansas at 1:00 p.m. There will be a visitation from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at the Louisburg Baptist Temple prior to the service on Wednesday. A scheduled family visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friends and family may call or come by the Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri on Tuesday, May 3, 2011 from 12 noon until 9:00 p.m. Burial will be in the Somerset Cemetery in Paola, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to the Livingston Manor Staff or to the Chillicothe Car Show and can be left at or mailed to Lindley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 47, Chillicothe, Missouri. Online condolences may be made at www.lindleyfuneralhome.com . Services are under the direction of Lindley Funeral Home, Chillicothe, Missouri.