THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 2, 1997 TAG: 9702020060
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 42 lines
James Howard ``Flash'' Gordon Sr., 81, of the 3200 block of Walden St., died Jan. 31, 1997, in his residence.
A native of Virgilina, N.C., he was the son of the late Noble and Sally Gordon. He retired as a mechanic with Ford Motor Co. after 35 years of service.
Flash was recognized for outstanding service to his community and to youngsters for more than 40 years as a league director, league president and field director of Pony Baseball/Softball Inc. He served most of his final 20 years as region colt director. He later served as a member of the Chesapeake Parks and Recreation Commission and was a vital supporter for financial assistance and field development for all leagues in the Chesapeake area. Mr. Gordon was a member of the South Norfolk Hall of Fame.
He was a member of Raleigh Heights Baptist Church, Chesapeake; a member of F.O.E. Lodge (NU)795; and a member with a seven-year perfect attendance record with South Norfolk Ruritan Club. He was a member (inductee) to the Wall of Fame for the Pony Baseball League in Washington, Pa.
He is survived by his wife of nine years, Bettie S. Gordon; four daughters, Tanya Kerwin of Suffolk, Esther Todd and Shirley Carley, both of Chesapeake, and Jenny Pinner of Virginia Beach; four sons, Howard Gordon Jr. of Kennewick, Wash., Ricky Gordon of Virginia Beach, Nobie Gordon of Chesapeake and Blackie Gordon of Richmond; three stepdaughters, Joyce Coleman of Chesapeake and Evelyn Jordan and Nancy McMillan, both of Norfolk; two stepsons, Thomas Lee of Missouri and John Guy of Virginia Beach; two brothers, Charles Gordon of Chesapeake and Elwood Gordon of Weymouth, Mass.; 27 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
A funeral will be conducted at 1 p.m. Monday in Raleigh Heights Baptist Church by the Rev. Penny Wilson and the Rev. Henry Napier. Burial will be in Chesapeake Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends in Graham Funeral Home, South Norfolk Chapel, from 4 to 5 p.m. today and at the residence at all other times. Memorial contributions should be made to South Norfolk Boys Baseball Inc., P.O. Box 5462, Chesapeake, Va. 23324. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY