of Vilonia, AR
September 23, 1936 - February 2, 2025
Stanley W. Gordon passed away peacefully at his home in Vilonia, Arkansas on Sunday, February 2, 2025 surrounded by his beloved family, after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He was born on September 23, 1936 in Jackson, Tennessee and was the youngest of five children born to Ellis Houston and Ava Darnal Gordon. Stanley was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings: brothers, Endol, H.D. and F.A. Gordon and his sister, Bonnie Townsley.
He is survived by his wife, Sammye, with whom he shared 67 years of marriage. His legacy continues through his son, Stanley Gordon, Jr. and the late Melanie Gordon; three daughters, Sandra Hedrick and husband, Tom, Sue Shock and husband, Steve and Sharon Myers and husband, Allan all of Vilonia. He was a proud grandfather to Caleb Shock and Danielle, Brandy Holland and Lonnie, Sara Beth Blair and Dan, Brett Hedrick, Seth Gordon and Abbie, Lydia Gordon and fiancé Luke Wallesch, Noah Myers and Suzie, Jedidiah Myers, Luke Gordon and Kelsey and Hannah Valdez and Jacob. Additionally, he was blessed with twelve great-grandchildren, Deacon Blair, Katie Mae Shock, Brier Holland, Leah Kate Blair, Dahlia Holland, Ellis Shock, Anna Beth Blair, Ava Lynn Blair, Weston Shock, Dace Gordon, Hattie Myers, Lainie Gordon, with two more on the way Eleanor Jane Valdez & Baby Myers.
Stanley was a Christian and worshipped with the Mars Hill Church of Christ in Vilonia. He was a titan of faith, a bedrock of spiritual living and a Christian patriarch. His walk with God determined every other walk in his life, guiding him to share the gospel with anyone.
He never met a stranger and made everyone he met feel like the most important person. Age and Parkinson's took his body, but it did not rob him of his sharp wit, his loving demeanor or the twinkle in his eye that sparkled whenever you went to visit him.
Stanley had a distinguished career as a Regional Sales Manager (RSM) for Protective Life Insurance Company where he repeatedly received the company's Highest Persistency Awards. He was a member of the Protective Club and the Colonel's Cabinet for exceptional production and earned the two highest awards from Protective Life: The Billy Rushton Award for outstanding ethics and integrity and the Drayton Nabor's Award, awarded only to RSM's for character. He was also a member of the Million Dollar Round Table for many years.
Beyond his professional achievements, Stanley served on the Board of Directors for the Southern Christian Home in Morrilton, AR, and Crowley's Ridge College in Paragould, AR, where he played a crucial role in keeping the college operational during both financial challenges and declining admissions. In 2023, he was honored by the City of Vilonia's Chamber of Commerce as the Patriarch for the Outstanding Family of the Year award.
Stanley, alongside his brother H.D. Gordon, was among the first to import Peruvian Paso horses into the United States. At one point, he and Sammye had over 60 of these magnificent horses on their farm in Vilonia, including several National Champions. They were passionate supporters of numerous mission work efforts as well as local charities and community events, including the construction of Camp Areopagus in Vilonia.
Stanley enjoyed working on his farmland, tending to his livestock, harvesting hay and nurturing his garden. He enjoyed bird hunting on his land and fishing and boating from his lake house in Scott, Arkansas.
The family wishes to thank Trudy Collison for her devotion and care to someone we loved so deeply. Her compassion and commitment to him was beyond question. Thank you also to Gentiva Hospice Care. Everyone who came into their home treated him with respect and dignity.
The funeral service will be Thursday, February 6, 2025 at 11:00am, Mars Hill Church of Christ in Vilonia. A visitation will be Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 5-8:00pm at the church as well. Final interment will be in Cypress Valley Cemetery, Vilonia, immediately following the service on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southern Christian Home or Crowley's Ridge College.
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Obituary Provided By:
Roller-McNutt Funeral Home
650 Central Landing Blvd.
Conway, AR 72032
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com