Nathan Green Gordon

Nathan Green Gordon, age 92, of Morrilton, was born September 4, 1916 in Morrilton, Arkansas. He passed away September 8, 2008. His parents were Edward Gordon, Sr. and Ada Ruth (Bearden) Gordon. He is preceded in death by his wife, Virginia (McGill) Gordon, who died August 5, 1999, one brother, Edward Gordon, Jr., who died in 1987, a sister, Ruth (Gordon) Gephart, who died in 1985, and a sister, Sara (Gordon) Bentley, who died in 2004. He is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. Nathan Gordon graduated high school from Columbia Military Academy. He attended Arkansas Tech for two years before transferring to the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. While attending the University of Arkansas, he was active in athletics lettering in both track and football. He had the distinction of playing on the Arkansas Razorback first All Southwest Conference team. Nathan and his brother, Ed, were one year apart in age and graduated the same year from the University of Arkansas Law School. While they were law students, their father, Edward Gordon, Sr., died and they resumed his practice of law as partners after their graduations in 1939 only to have their careers interrupted shortly thereafter by World War II. Both brothers volunteered for the Navy and Nathan was sent to naval air school and subsequently to the South Pacific to fly search and rescue. He was a pilot of a Navy Catalina patrol plane known as a PBY or "flying boat." His skills and valor as a Navy pilot earned him two Distinguished Flying Crosses and six Air Medals. He was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "extraordinary heroism above and beyond the call of duty" in the Bismark Sea on February 15, 1944. During that mission, Nathan Gordon and his crew made four separate landings in rough seas under close range enemy fire to rescue fifteen downed airmen. He became one of only six Naval aviators to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. Upon returning to his native state, Nathan Gordon was urged by many to run for politics, which he did; becoming the youngest elected Lieutenant Governor in the history of the State of Arkansas. He served in that position for 20 years from 1946 until 1966. He also served on the Arkansas Worker's Compensation Commission. Nathan Gordon was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church of Morrilton, where his maternal grandfather had served as pastor. In the past, Nathan served as a lay minister, taught Sunday school class, and served for many years on the Board of Trustees for the church. Nathan Gordon always enjoyed athletics, both on and off the field. He enjoyed playing golf. He was an avid Razorback fan. Until recent years, he seldom failed to attend all in-state Razorback football games. In his younger years, Nathan coached the Morrilton American Legion Baseball team. He was one of the founders of the South Conway County School Foundation and served on its Board for many years. He was a 32nd degree mason. Nathan Gordon loved the practice of law and fellowship with other attorneys. He was active in the Arkansas Bar Association. He was a founder and the first president of the Arkansas Trial Lawyer's Association. He was one of the organizers of the Morrilton Security Bank which eventually became a part of Regions Bank. His hobbies included golf, quail hunting, duck hunting, and crappie fishing. The service will be at First United Methodist Church in Morrilton at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, September 13th. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to First United Methodist Church in Morrilton, South Conway County School Foundation, University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton Foundation, or Petit Jean Youth Foundation.