Reverend Major John D. Gordon

Reverend Major John D. Gordon, 74, of Palmyra, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 4, 2017 at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.  Born Monday, September 6, 1943 in Wilkinsburg, PA, he was the son of the late John D. and Maybelle (Kasparek) Gordon.  He was married to Judith A. (Hayden) Gordon on October 15, 1966. 

John received his BS in Recreation and Youth Leadership from Springfield College, Springfield, MA and served Greater Boston YMCA for 3 years. After moving to PA, he served Adolescents and Seniors at Elmira Psychiatric Center, Elmira, NY for 11 years.

John loved his Lord and his country.  He retired as a Major from the Pennsylvania Army National Guard after proudly serving for over 30 years.  He then served as director of an Adult Daycare in Lebanon County.  After receiving a call from God, he attended classes at Evangelical Seminary, Myerstown, PA and received his Local Preachers License from The Evangelical Congregational Church.  He pastored the congregation of Immanuel EC Church, Drehersville, PA where he served five years following retirement. At the time of his death, he was a Lay Pastor at First Evangelical Congregational Church in Palmyra, PA.

As a sports enthusiast, John was an avid golfer and enjoyed racquetball.  He fulfilled a longtime dream of receiving his private pilots license.

In addition to his wife of over 51 years, he will be lovingly missed by a son, Jeffrey H. Gordon and fiancée, Amanda Wagner, of Harrisburg; a daughter, Jessica M. Cole, wife of David Cole, of Middletown; 4 grandchildren and a brother, David Gordon, husband of Helen.

There will be a viewing held at the Rothermel-Finkenbinder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., 25 West Pine Street, Palmyra, PA  17078, 717-838-9211 on Monday, December 11, 2017 from 6:00-8:00 PM.  A Memorial Service will be held at 2 PM on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 at the Palmyra First Evangelical Congregational Church, 55 West Main Street, Palmyra, PA  17078 with Reverend Charles A. Walker and Reverend Robert A. Valentine officiating.  A time of visitation will be held at the church on Tuesday from 1 PM until the time of the service.  Private interment will be at the convenience of the family in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Annville, PA with full Military Honors.

Kindly omit flowers.  Memorial contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Twin Pines Camp, Conference and Retreat Center, 3000 Twin Pine Road, Stroudsburg, PA  18360, www.twinpines.org

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.FinkenbinderFamily.com

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