Bert D. Gordon

Bert Gordon, age 93, died peacefully on December 13 at the Care Center of Lakeview Village, Lenexa, Kansas, surrounded by loving family, staff and hospice professionals. There will be a visitation at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, December 19, followed by a graveside service at 2:00 pm. The visitation will be at New Story Church, 5500 Woodend Road, Kansas City, KS. The graveside service will be held at the Maple Hill Cemetery, 2301 S. 34th Street, Kansas City, KS. The family requests that any donations be sent to Great Lakes Caring Home and Hospice, in lieu of flowers. Born in Independence, MO on August 17, 1925, Bert was the son of Vera and Earl Gordon who preceded him in death. He lived most of his life in Turner, Kansas where his family owned a farm, located on the site of the present day Turner High School. Bert served in the US Army during World War 2, and was honorably discharged in 1946 at the rank of corporal. During his term of enlistment Bert was awarded the American Service Theatre Service Medal, Good conduct Medal and the Victory Medal. Bert spent most of working life as a highly skilled mechanic and electrician with Transworld Airlines, wiring jet aircraft. He retired from TWA after 37 years of dedicated service. Devoted to the causes for which Bert was a generous philanthropist, the gymnasium of Turner High School was named in his honor. He was a faithful member of the Lions Club over many decades, where he served as Treasurer. He had a passion for helping people with poor eyesight be able to read with glasses, most especially the Kansas Audio Reader Program. A resident of Lakeview Village for more than twenty years, Bert enjoyed many friends and the wonderful staff there who assisted him through his later years, contributing significantly to their programs. Bert also was a generous donor to the Kansas University Endowment Association. In 1951 Bert married Helen R. Steele, of Yates Center, KS, who preceded him in death. Late in his life, Bert became reacquainted with a high school classmate, Geraldine Kennedy, of Shawnee, KS. Their marriage in 2011 blessed them both for the last seven years of Bert’s long life. Geri has been a loving, devoted and compassionate mate for Bert and was at his side during his final hours. Bert is survived by a sister, Marie Patek, of Sacramento, CA. Although he had no children of his own, Bert was lovingly welcomed into Geri’s family, and leaves behind three step children: Gregory Rieke (and Beth), Janet O’Neal (and Mike), Robin Neville (and Bill), as well as seven step grandchildren, and fourteen step great grandchildren. Please visit Bert’s memorial website at www.maplehillfuneralhome.com

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Bert D. Gordon

August 17, 1925 - December 13, 2018