John Leslie Gordon's Obituary
John L. Gordon (Jack) of Bethany Beach, Delaware passed away at home with his family present on June 14, 2025.
Jack was born in Glendale, California to Emma and Charles Gordon. He was the youngest of seven siblings and therefore spoiled by his five older sisters. He graduated from Glendale High School, attended Glendale Junior College and graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration.
After graduation, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy and attended Officer Candidate School. He was commissioned as an officer in September, 1959. After some adventures at sea on the U.S.S. Tanner at the Artic Circle and in the Bering Sea, followed by a stint at NSA at Fort Meade, Maryland he was honorably discharged in March, 1964.
Jack continued to work as a civilian at NSA for a few years before he moved on to serve as the financial officer for Comress, a start-up computer company. In 1972 Jack was employed by Navy Federal Credit Union, where he ultimately was promoted to Senior Vice President/Comptroller. After a long and successful career at NFCU, Jack retired in 1999.
Upon retirement, Jack and his beloved wife and best friend Joan moved to their home in Bethany Beach. They immediately became involved with the community doing volunteer work. For many years, Jack assisted in various capacities with the Friends of the South Coastal Library and their Beach and Bay Cottage Tour. He started volunteering with Operation SEAS the Day in 2014, and he was part of the group that started South Coastal Village Volunteers in 2019, serving as a member of their Steering Committee until the end of 2024.
The most important part of Jack’s volunteer work was for the Town of Bethany Beach, which held a special place in his heart. He started with membership on various committees, and in 2008 he was elected to the Bethany Town Council. He was an officer during all of his ten years on the Council, serving as Secretary/Treasurer and then as Vice Mayor. He became Mayor in February, 2014, holding that position until he retired in September, 2018. Jack loved being “Mr. Mayor” and represented the Town with great enthusiasm. After retiring as Mayor, Jack continued to volunteer for the Town – on the Flood Committee, Board of Adjustments and as Chair of the Internal Audit Committee until late in 2024.
Jack and Joan were self-proclaimed beach bums and spent many, many happy summer days in front of the Addy Sea. They enjoyed playing tennis for years at Bethany Club Tennis and they were dedicated walkers and kayakers. They loved to travel; highlights were trips to the Galapagos, Australia and New Zealand and a Danube River cruise.
In addition to his wife Joan, Jack is survived by his daughter Marie (Pam Gallo), daughter Emma Shirley (Dan) and son John with grandchildren Joseph Shirley, Whitney Shirley, Grace Gordon and Charlie Gordon. He was adored by Joan’s children Jill Kerxton (Robert), Marjorie Bowen (Charles Adams) and Robin Van Winter and was the beloved Poppop of Zachary Kerxton (Adriana), Ashley Kerxton, Megan Bowen (Ian Bearden) and Madeline Bowen. He is also survived by three of his sisters, Gloria Shane, Jeanne Buckland and Bonnie Crockett, all of California.
Private funeral services were held Tuesday, June 17, 2025. A celebration of Jack’s life will take place July 13, 2025 on the eve of his 89th birthday when the family will host an open house from 1 to 5 PM at the Gordons’ home in Bethany Beach. Please drop by to share stories about Jack.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jack’s memory to South Coastal Village Volunteers or Friends of the South Coastal Library.
Please sign the tribute wall located on this site.
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