07/20/07 - NNHS Newsletter -
Jerry Gordon
Jerome
Gordon
(1 Mar 1915 - 18 July 2007)
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07/20/07 - NNHS Newsletter - Jerome
Gordon |
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Dear Friends and Schoolmates,
Once again we bear sad tidings. Jerry Gordon, well known to many in the community for his many business and philanthropic endeavors, has passed away in Hampton at the age of 92.
From the Daily Press - 07/20/07:
Jerome Gordon
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HAMPTON - Jerome Gordon, a
devoted family man, entrepreneur, philanthropist and 'Uncle Jerry' to many,
died on Wednesday, July 18, 2007. He was 92 years young. Born March 1, 1915,
to William and Bertha Gordon, he was preceded in death by his wife of
forty-three years, Mable, and his two brothers, Leonard and Julian.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Ayers Gordon, his son Hayden, three
grandchildren, Brandon Gordon, Lee Gordon and Heather Rose, and three great
grandchildren. Additional survivors include his sisters, Carlyn Katz and
Helen Matelson, sister-in-law, Gertrude Gordon, as well as five
stepdaughters, Carolyn, Jennifer, Peyton, Melinda and Emily and his numerous
nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews, as well as countless
friends that he considered family. They will all miss him greatly. Jerry was
a pioneer in the motion picture business, joining his parents and his
brothers in running the Palace Theater in downtown Newport News. After an
attempt to find fame and fortune in California with his dear friend, Herbie
Morewitz, he returned to the Peninsula to help his family run the theater
business which had grown with the addition of the Stuart and Green Acres
Drive-In. In 1942, Jerry enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly served in
the Pacific campaign in World War II. After the war he returned to the movie
business, and, together with his family, ventured into other endeavors,
including Skateland and Giant Burger. Jerry has been an integral moving
force in the motion picture industry with his work on the rating system,
censorship, and as an advocate for the small exhibitor. He served in many
capacities in national and regional theater organizations and at the time of
his death, was the Executive Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the
National Association of Theatre Owners. Despite his many accomplishments,
Jerry's real love was people. He was involved for many years with the
Hampton Coliseum Commission (and was its Chairman at the time of his death),
the Phoebus Improvement League, and Hampton Roads Water Ski Club. Jerry was
a recipient of the NCCJ citizenship award. Perhaps Jerry's greatest gift was
his willingness to give of himself. Jerry was a believer in 'paying it
forward.' His steadfast devotion to Mable during her prolonged illness was
returned to him by Janet, who showered him with boundless love and care. To
the countless people he and Mable taught to water ski, his many guests for
the 4th of July fireworks, or holiday time and to the hundreds he helped by
giving sage advice or a push in the right direction or assistance
individually or through his many and varied philanthropic gifts-to all these
people for whom he was Uncle Jerry, he will be sorely missed but always
remembered. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Jerome
Gordon Memorial NATO Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1830, Hampton, VA 23669, the
Bernice Gordon Scholarship Endowment at Rodef Sholom Temple, 318 Whealton
Road, Hampton, VA 23666, or the charity of your choice. Funeral services
will be conducted at 1 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Rodef Sholom Temple, 318
Whealton Road, Hampton. Arrangements by R. Hayden Smith Funeral Home. Published in the Daily Press from 7/19/2007 - 7/21/2007. Guest Book |
| I worked for Mr. Gordon from 1958 to 1960 at the Wythe Theater as a usher. He became a good friend who I admired and respected. My prayer is that God will be with and comfort the family. |
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Clarence Hargus (Middlesex
County, VA) - July 19, 2007 Contact me |
| The world has lost a wonderful gentleman. Mr. Gordon was a kind and generous person who shared his joy for life with those around him. My condolences to you, Mrs. Gordon. |
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Gail Daniels (Hampton, VA) -
July 19, 2007 Contact me |
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Janet, We will all miss him so much. You are in our thoughts and prayers at
this difficult time. Our staff from the Enchanted Forrest Caterers send our
sympathy. William & Loretta Sutton |
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Loretta Sutton (Yorktown, VA)
- July 19, 2007 |
| A great human being. From water skiing champion to theatre mogul, he lived a life fit for a movie. We were lucky to know him! |
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Matt - July 19, 2007 |
| Such a good and kind man. You will always be remembered and missed. "Hamakom y'nachem etchem b'toch sh'ar availai tziyon ee yerushalayim." |
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Tom Ross (Newport News, VA) -
July 19, 2007 Contact me |
| Mr. Gordon was wonderful man and a great friend to the Peninsula Community Theatre. We will miss seeing him in his front row seats on opening night. We owe our home in the Village to his generosity, and his legacy, not only to PCT, but to the entire Peninsula will live on. |
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Betsy Forrest (Poquoson, VA)
- July 19, 2007 |
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Janet, I loved Jerry so much. I admired his "love of life" and the way he lived his life. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Jeanne Smith Weinstein |
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Jeanne Smith (Yorktown, VA)
- July 19, 2007 Contact me |
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Mr Gordon was a truly wonderful
man and a great friend of my family. We are sorry for your loss. Shari Morewitz-Szlachetka |
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Shari Szlachetka (Newport
News, VA) - July 19, 2007
Contact me |
| The Gordon family was very much a part of the Garrett family. My mother, Edna, worked for and with them for over 40 years. As children, we thought the three brothers WERE family. They always had time to stop and speak with us or inquire of our mother as to what was going on in ours lives. "Mr. Jerry" always remembered his office staff when he left town on business or pleasure. He appreciated anything and everything they did for him and the company. He truly treated those that he employed as family more than employees. I will miss his warm greetings and gentle manner. I will miss his zeal for life itself. Our family (as well as many others) will miss a loving and kind friend. We all know that he didn't leave us because he wanted to but because he had to. God needed him in heaven and what place is better for this Angel of a man. |
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Pam Garrett Chalkley (Hampton,
VA) - July 20, 2007 Contact me |
| On behalf of everyone at The RP55 Group (we all work with Emily), please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. |
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Cindy Biagioni (VA BEACH, VA)
- July 20, 2007 |
| Jerry was a great man and he honored me by being my friend. I will miss him always. |
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Barbara Kimmitt (Virginia
Beach, VA) - July 20, 2007 |
| Jerry was a kind, thoughtful, fun-loving individual and he loved life and lived it grandly! You rarely saw him without a smile on his face. He was loved by everyone who knew him and will be missed by them as well. |
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Maureen Kimmitt (Virginia
Beach, VA) -
July 20, 2007 |
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I will always miss you, Pop. Love, Haydy |
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Hayden Gordon (Greenbackville)
- July 20, 2007 |
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Dear Mrs. Gordon and Family, Deepest condolences. As a salesperson for a newspaper, I had the honor to know Jerry since 1996. I well recall being struck by his character the first time I heard him speak in a corporate boardroom. As I came to know him, respect and affection inevitably grew. He was an extraordinary man of whom it can be said as in the song, "He made the world a little brighter." So just it is that Jerry lived such a full, long life--leaving us to aspire to such an example. |
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Omar Olson (Northridge, CA)
- July 20, 2007 Contact me |
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Jerry held a special place in our
hearts and in our family. My father, Jesse Hyatt, thought of him as the
brother he never had. We send our condolences to the Gordon family. An Icon
has passed from our presence, but the memories will live on forever. The Hyatt Family Helen Hyatt |
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Vicki & Buddy Burcham (Toano,
VA)
- July 21, 2007 |
| I feel as though I have lost a member of my family. Jerry was a source of inspiration and love all of my adult life. |
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Marilyn Whelan (Lake Mary, FL)
- July 21, 2007
Contact me |
| Haydy, for over a half century our family has had the wonderful experience of knowing you and your dad. Words are inadequate to tell you how much we loved and cherished your dad, but the memories we shared together will be with us for our lifetime. Our prayers are with you and the Gordon family . |
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Pastor Linwood Stanworth (Ivor,
VA)
- July 22, 2007
Contact me |
| Dear family, words could never express the feeling of loss. Jerry was the kindest most gentle caring man I've known. After 50 years of knowing that he was always there for support to all of his family , he will be so missed. When we think of all the years of happiness, family and fun we always think of being over at Mable and Jerry's. What a happy life of memories. We will always love Uncle Jerry and all of the Gordon family. Love, Don, Paula, Chris, Shannon, Shelby and Pauline please keep in touch! |
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Paula Miller (Vero Beach, FL)
- July 22, 2007
Contact me |
Our deepest condolences are extended to the Gordon family and their friends at this time.
Y'all take good care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER! We'll Always Have Buckroe!
Love to all, Carol
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NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE:
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE:
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Carol Buckley
Harty
219 Four Ply Lane
Fayetteville, NC 29311-9305
910-488-9408
Oseh Shalom
"Oseh Shalom" suggested by Diane
Sandler Marcus ('69) of MD - 03/27/05.
Thanks, Diane.
"Oseh Shalom" midi courtesy of http://www.alanabrams.com/jewish.htm - 03/27/05
Silver Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.wtv-zone.com/nevr2l82/bars3.html - 03/28/05
Greg Olsen Painting courtesy of http://gregolsengallery.com – 02/10/05
Animated USMC Flag clip art courtesy of http://www.angelfire.com/ny4/KevsGifsGalore/Patriotic.html - 06/18/03
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