John Everett Gordon Obituary (1953 – 2021) – Baltimore, MD

Doctor, Pastor John E. Gordon, Sr., the son of the late John and Lucy Gordon, was born on June 16, 1953.
He was alive
Dr. Gordon received his education from Baltimore City Public Schools. He began high school at Baltimore Polytechnic High School and graduated from Northwestern High School in 1971. Upon graduation, John realized that his low draft number would force him to go to Vietnam, so he postponed his college plans because he “had no dough, had to go”. . He served in the US Army from 1971 to 1973 as a medic and paratrooper and received medals for valor and valor with an honorable discharge.
After John’s return to the United States, he began college at Morgan State University and shortly thereafter moved to the University of Maryland Baltimore County. He immersed himself in his studies, but soon found that UMBC wasn’t as diverse as he would have liked, so he switched to Howard University, where he enjoyed the desired mentoring from professors of color who supported and encouraged him to realize his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
John knew from a young age that he wanted to become a doctor. In middle school, on career day, students were asked to stand up and explain their ambitions. When it was his turn, he got up and called out: “I’m going to be a doctor.” His 8th grade teacher immediately told him to sit down and stop being a clown. He was so injured and embarrassed that he went home and spent a considerable amount of time building a bomb to blow up his teacher. Fortunately, the bomb exploded in his hand (badly damaging his little finger) when he tried to transport it from the basement of his house to the school.
John graduated from Howard University with a bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1977 and graduated four years later from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, realizing his dream of becoming a medical doctor.
Dr. Gordon was the doctor for every man and woman. He was compassionate and caring, including as an intern in internal medicine, but soon discovered anesthesiology and never looked back. Dr. John Gordon was the first Black Board certified anesthesiologist in the state of Maryland. In the late 1980s he was chairman of the anesthesia department at Liberty Medical Center in Baltimore and then practiced in pain management at Harbor Medical Center. He was also the director of anesthesia services at the Central Maryland Surgery Center on Joh Ave, Baltimore. Later, Dr. Gordon completed his skills at North Arundel Hospital, where he led a group of eight anesthesiologists for the remainder of his medical career.
That was Dr. Gordon.
John, the man, was full of convictions and you knew that from the first conversation with him. He had a rock-solid relationship with King Jesus that served him to the end. In his church he found the deepest joy and satisfaction of his life. John loved deeply. His “sunshine” and his children were the greatest joys of his life. He spent all the hours he didn’t have taking photos of his family, going on vacation, and spreading the word. He has never been a member of clubs or organizations that required him to be separated from his family. John enjoyed tennis, running, fishing, cooking, and was the best crab cake maker on the east coast. John was a strict disciplinarian, much to the chagrin of his children, and a constant minister-teacher. “Don’t throw away the ketchup bottle with all the ketchup in the bottom, turn it upside down for 10 minutes and leave it until you get every drop.” Or “When mom is away you can have ice cream for breakfast and cereal for dinner, that’s our secret.” “Never look down on anyone, always be humble, helpful and respectful.” “Always give glory to God.”
John treated his employees fairly and treated everyone with respect and dignity. He greeted the caretaker as well as the CEO. He had a heart for the homeless and was so marginalized that he brought home a guest for lunch who he learned after lunch was a suspended murderer. That was Johannes.
He served
After John’s retirement from medicine and diagnosis of cancer, he enrolled at Capital Bible Seminary in Lanham, MD, where he earned a master’s degree in Christian counseling and discipleship in 2006. It was a lifelong dream that was postponed and its star shone the brightest. Pastor John was passionate about his beliefs and he never glossed over the truth. Everyone he met knew his beliefs. Even on his chemotherapy chair, John witnessed other cancer patients, often joking that “they were his captive listeners, they cannot walk”. He made good use of the extra time the Lord gave him. He was able to share his passion for Christ and his love for all image carriers around the globe. Short-term missionary trips gave him opportunities to share the gospel in Ghana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, Belize, Jamaica, and almost every other place where he could travel healthily.
John moved to Wilmington, NC in 2006 to pursue his passion for fishing. The drive to the shore took no more than 10 minutes and he enjoyed the luxury of fishing every day if the weather allowed. There are many fishermen in Wilmington who now know Jesus through Pastor John. It was at his Scott’s Hill Baptist Church in Wilmington that he was ordained a gospel minister in 2010. He taught Sunday school, mentored couples preparing for marriage, and conducted Bible studies with his favorite group of men on Tuesday mornings.
In 2016, his grandchildren took him to Austin, TX, where he continued to delve into the gospel and his men’s group
by the Austin Stone Church. His heart was full as he could spend time loving, playing with, and babysitting his seven grandchildren.
He said good-bye
On Friday, December 10th, 2021, God called John home. He slipped quietly from earthly life into heavenly joy, at home, surrounded by his wife and children. In death he was preceded by his parents, sister Phyllis, and brother Daniel.
We mourn his loss
The doctor, Pastor Gordon and Paw-Paw, left a legacy of love and devotion to his loving “Sunshine”: his devoted wife Marva, for 44 years. He leaves behind his five children: Lisa, Shaunté (Joshua), John Jr. (Mollie), Brandon (Tara) and Brittany (Tyrell). Paw-Paw is also survived by seven rays of light, his grandchildren: Alayshia, Windsor, Winston “Jack”, John III, Natalie, Cameron and Camila. He is very much missed by his uncle Harold and Cora Gordon, his mother-in-law Ena, the three sisters-in-law Maureen, Marjorie and Jacqueline and his brother-in-law Hugh. His nephews Dr. Kevin D. Jarvis (Ronette) Daryl Jarvis; and other nieces and nephews, his friends in medical school, staff and associates for the kingdom, and many, many, many friends.
We celebrate his life
On Wednesday, December 29th, Dr. Gordon, where the family welcomes friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Services, 8728 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD.
A homecoming party for Dr. Coleman will be held Thursday, December 30th at Trinity Life Church, 2122 W. Joppa Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD, where the family will receive friends and worship services from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.
In place of flowers, gifts in memory of John can be made to contribute to Dr. Jacob Laubach at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO BOX 849168, Boston, MA 02284.

Published by Vaughn Greene Funeral Services – Randallstown on December 18, 2021.