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.
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Gordon. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
He was such a wonderful man. Our condolences to the family.
We send our deepest sympathy to all Mr Gordon's family. We thought the world of him and all his family. We know he will be missed by all the family and community. Prayers for the Lord's comfort and peace to cover all his family and friends. He has finished his race.
May God bless you. You were the most insperationaeble persovan I have ever known.
Mr. Gordon sounds like a special man, cherish the memories. You are in my prayers
Prayers for you all. Such a legacy!
Sammye and Family,
So sorry for your loss. May your fun and loving memories give you peace and comfort.
Bobby and Brenda
My condolences. I’m praying for all the family and extended church family that will miss this great guy. Grace and Peace
He was a very godly man. He always knew what to do or say when helping others. Our prayers are with his family.
May God hold each of you near and dear. While it hard to understand now, just remember he is the lucky one! He is dancing with the angels! My prayers and condolences are with y’all. Love all of you!
A Great man and great friend. Anyone who met him was blessed.
Sue & Family—what we are saddened to hear of Mr. Stanley’s passing we know it truly brings about the celebration of a life well lived. What an amazing legacy he leaves for each of you! Personally we so very much appreciate his commitment to and support of CRC. May the wonderful memories sustain you all at this difficult time. Finally may our Awesome God provide the peace and comfort that only He can—Jimmy & LeEllen
My wife and I were so honored this loving man and getting to know him we could always look forward to seeing his smile when we entered his home he is a great man with a great personality he will forever be missed by us but never forgotten he will always be in our hearts
What a wonderful life he led and example he set. He is now walking streets of gold. The family will be in my prayers.
We love the Gordon family and are thinking and praying for all of them. Stanley was someone I have strongly admired for many many years. Crowley's Ridge College will forever be grateful for his many years and leadership on our board of trustees. His wisdom, determination, and generosity (both he & Sammye) were deeply needed, especially during some of CRC's most challenging times in our history. His Christian servant spirit were evident to all and I know he will be dearly missed. So glad we are assured of a reunion with Stanley again in heaven one day. Blessings to all his wonderful family.
~ Richard Johnson, President, Crowley's Ridge College, Paragould, Arkansas
Friends for a long time
I have the pleasure to have met Stanley and family. He will be remembered fondly.
True man of the Lord, God’s comfort.
We are so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your family!
Bob and Martha Bailey
Sorry to hear about Mr. Gordon.
May God bless and comfort each and everyone of your family.
Sorry to hear of your loss. You were blessed with a wonderful father, grand father and Husband. Prayers for the family
My condolences to the family. My heart and prayers are with you all, as you grieve.
To The entire Gordon family,what a pleasure it was to know Mr.Gordon...He has sat at our table so many times and I'm grateful for his kindness....What a treasure..Our Sincere Condolences to each one of you....Shane and Liz Henson
A kind, fair and highly influential man to myself. From riding on the tractor with him as a small child to working on his farm. I learned tenacity, work ethic and the importance of integrity. His lessons will never be forgotten. His voice will always be in my mind through any circumstance I face. Definitely a blessing to have known him.
We’re so sorry to hear of the passing of your precious dad, husband and grandfather. May the Lord hold you close and carry you through these times of grief.
Sending prayers and comforting hugs. I am so sorry for your loss.
Wishing you comfort and peace during this difficult time.
He was a very special man.
From this part of the Sheros,
We send our love and prayers
To the Gordon and Myers families: As we travel down the path of life, we must sometimes say goodbye to those we love. Take comfort as knowing that thoughts and prayers are with you.
I feel honored to have known this great Christian man and the family. What a wonderful legacy he has left his family and to us all. God’s richest blessings.
Our deepest sympathy for this kind and wonderful Christian man. What an example and legacy is being left while he’s now whole and surrounded by heavenly love. Thoughts and prayers with you all, hugs.
Ms Sammy, sending you lots of hugs and prayers
Praying for the all Gorden family
My deepest sympathy and prayers for this good family. God Bless
RIP Uncle Stanley. He was not only a great man, daddy,granddaddy, he was also a wonderful uncle. Stern when needed to be and so intelligent he had a heart of gold. I will always remember the talks we had when Noone else new. He helped me so much with advice. I love you Uncle Stanley Gordon.
My prayers to all the Gordon family for the comfort the holy Spirit brings in our time of grief . You were blessed as I was to have fine parents who taught us to center our lives around the Lord Jesus. Thank u Stanley Junior for being such a good family friend and your special caring and loving u show all in your life
Mr. Gordon always had the kindest smile. I always enjoyed visiting with him. May Jesus wrap his arms around May Jesus wrap his arms around all the family.
We wish to extend our heartfelt condolences to all of the Stanley Gordon family. Mr. Stanley is truly one of the finest men God ever created on earth. I met him early on in my professional career and found Stanley to be a great friend, tremendous encourager, wise advisor, and loyal supporter. I was blessed to know him, do business with him, and enjoy his friendship. Please know that the entire Rapert family is praying for all of you and hope the Lord will comfort you during this time of loss. I am confident this wonderful man of God is in heaven enjoying the first glimpses of eternal heaven. Thanks for making a real difference Stanley - this world would be better if we had many more people just like you. Love you and will miss you my friend!
So sorry for your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
I was so sorry to hear of Stanley’s passing. He was one of the best men I have ever known. He was always so sweet and kind to me and everyone else as well. I hope he is at peace and rejoicing with Melanie. Prayers for comfort in the days ahead. I love all of you.
So sorry to learn of Stanley’s passing. My prayers and thoughts are with all of his family.