Gordon Fein

Gordon Fein, 19, of Woodside Street in Morganton, died Saturday, Jan. 3, 2009, at his residence. He was born Sept. 24, 1989 in Salina, Kan. Gordon's life, though brief, was rich in accomplishments. He swam for the Morganton swim team for seven years, garnering many awards, and attaining the office of team captain. He volunteered at the Burke County History Museum helping to input accessions into their computer database. Gordon worked in his church youth group, sang in the youth choir (sort of), participated in mission projects and ushered at church on Sunday. He aspired to greatness through service and saw no better avenue than the armed forces. He believed his professional and spiritual calling was to be a soldier, a dream realized when he began his career as a new cadet at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on June 30, 2008. On Acceptance Day in August, Gordon was formally accepted into the Corps of Cadets and took his place in the Long Gray Line. Through stress and turmoil, he still considered his fellow cadets, family and friends, always asking after their welfare. Gordon had a word of encouragement for the despondent and hearty laughter and quick wit for his friends. He loved his family unwaveringly and especially treasured his relationship with his sister. As a Christian, he never doubted God's word - its truth or its power - and marveled at its timeliness for every situation. Gordon believed in the one true God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the power of Jesus blood alone to atone for sin and to break the bondage of sin; and the resurrection of the dead and the life eternal. He knew that to die was to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Gordon was a bonnie lad who blessed others his whole life through. As a man, he was beautiful. Forever young, he is honored by many and beloved by all. Gordon is survived by his mother, Eugenie B. Fein of Morganton; his sister, Irina Fein of the home; a grandmother, Ida Jean Braswell of the home; his father, Michael T. Fein and his wife, Cyndi, of Lynchburg, Va.; grandmothers, Geane Fein of Topeka, Kan. and Doris Fein of Newhall, Calif.; uncles, Bruce Braswell of Columbia, S.C., Greg Braswell of Irving, Texas and Paul Fein and his wife, Ellen, of Leesburg, Va.; and an aunt, Candy Fein. He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Marvin O. Braswell and William E. Fein. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church with Dr. Thomas A. Bland Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday at the church following the service. Burial will be private at Forest Hill Cemetery. Today there will be a Taps Vigil on the Plain at West Point where all 4,000 cadets will stand encircling the plain in Gordon's honor. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Youth Ministry, PO Box 459, Morganton, NC 28680, the Burke County History Museum, PO Box 416, Morganton, NC 28680 or to the West Point Association of Graduates, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with local arrangements. Condolences at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.

This obituary was originally published in the News Herald (Morganton, NC).