FRED GORDON

CHARLESTON -- Fred L. Gordon, 69, of Charleston, died Tuesday, May 28, 1996, at East Prairie Nursing Center.

He was born Dec. 25, 1926, in LaForge, son of Fred Douglas and Dora English Gordon. He and Ira Jo Clemens were married Jan. 31, 1952.

Gordon graduated from Lincoln University in 1957, and did post graduate work at Southeast Missouri State University. He received bachelor of arts, bachelor of science and master's degrees in elementary and secondary education.

He was a teacher 39 years, retiring in 1988. He was a former mayor of Charleston and member of the City Council. Gordon was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as trustee, deacon and Sunday School superintendent; member of Ten Tall Ones Civic Club, Mississippi County Community Churches and NAACP.

Survivors include his wife; six sons, Alfred Gordon of Gary, Ind., Everett Gordon of East Prairie, Kevin and Fabian Gordon of Charleston, Ronnie Gordon of Kansas city, Kan., Floyd Betts of St. Louis; four daughters, Joann Gordon of Dallas, Texas, Betty Gordon of Chicago, Cynthia Gaither of Cape Girardeau, Cecelia Gordon of Charleston, and his mother of Charleston.

He is also survived by three brothers, Robert Gordon of St. Louis, Raymond Gordon of state of Florida, Fred Gordon of Ashtabula, Ohio; seven sisters, Luella Montjoy of Tampa Bay, Fla., Ethel McCollough and Frankie Clemons of St. Louis, Mae Curtis of Dover, Del., Verna Barr of San Diego, Calif., Augusta Goodin and Quender Johnson of Charleston, and 11 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers, a grandchild and his stepfather.

Friends may call at Sparks Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m. Saturday.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Shiloh Church, with Elder Steve Betts officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.