Marvin Keith Gordy

1937 - 2022

Marvin Keith Gordy, 85, of Beaumont, died Sunday, November 13, 2022. He was born on May 24, 1937, to Opal Farris and Marvin Curry Gordy.

Friends have said:

"He was one of a kind."

"They broke the mold after him."

"What a character!"

"A fine gentleman."

His sayings:

"Ride 'em like you stole 'em."

"You'd make a freight train take a muddy road."

"With God as my witness!"

"You can take a fork and gouge your eyes out boy, 'cuz you've seen it all now."

"Well, if that don't tear the rag off a dead bush."

Daddy was riding horses from the time he could walk. His horse ran away from Ashley Street when he was six. It was found in Port Acres and his father drove him there with a sack lunch, put him on the horse and told him, "I'll see you at home after work". Daddy rode that horse to Beaumont and had to get off to lead it across some water. An old guy sitting outside on College Street looked up and said, "Wouldn't it be better if you were riding that horse?" That six-year-old boy looked at that old man and said, "Well, I would, but I can't get back on it!"

Daddy's determination and drive to complete a task would serve him well. Along with earning his Eagle Scout, Daddy received both The God and Country and The Order of the Arrow awards, two of the highest awards bestowed by the Boy Scouts of America.

Daddy served in the U. S. Army Reserves and truly loved his country.

His accomplishments include earning a B. A. and a B. S. in Architecture from Rice University with honors. He was awarded the M. N. Davidson traveling fellowship for graduating first in his class. He was a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. He designed a number of landmarks around Southeast Texas, including the Downtown Beaumont Public and R. C. Miller libraries, the Dishman Art Gallery at Lamar University, and Sea Rim State and Beaumont's Riverfront Parks.

He took his 56 years of marriage vows to heart. He was a wonderful caregiver to his beautiful wife, Susan, who courageously battled cancer for 10 years.

Daddy decided to pick up a new hobby in his 40's. He became a player-member of the Houston Polo Club and United States Polo Association. After he hung up his polo mallets, he traded his string of polo ponies for hunter/jumpers and took up "riding to the hounds." He was a proud member and Joint Master of Kanada Foxhounds (with colors) TX, Honorary Lifetime Member of Bull Run Hunt (with colors) Culpepper County, VA, Rappahannock Hunt, VA, Honorary Master Birmingham Hunt, VA, and Member of Masters of Foxhounds Association of America.

Member of Texas Society of Architects, American Institute of Architects, Beaumont Rotary Club, Beaumont Chamber of Commerce, Beaumont Country Club, Tower Club.

Trustee of Beaumont Heritage Society, Jefferson Theater Preservation Society, Beaumont Rotary Club Foundation.

Past offices include President-Southeast Texas Chapter-American Institute of Architects, Vice President and Director of Gulf Coast Conservation Society, Elder-First Christian Church, President-Rice Alumni Association, Golden Triangle, Treasurer and Director, Southeast Texas Chapter of American Institute of Architects.

Daddy loved his dogs and horses and was in complete awe of all of God's creations. He worked tirelessly to make his beloved Dewdrop a showplace for friends and a tranquil place of solitude for his family and himself. He said, "If you don't believe in God, just look around."

His three girls could go on and on, but in the words of MKG, he was, "In short, a hell of a guy!"

He was preceded in death by the love of his life of 56 years, Susan Dunagan Gordy and his parents Opal Farris Gordy and Marvin Curry Gordy.

He is survived by his daughters Johanna Gordy Brown (Matthew), Jennifer Gordy, Sara Gordy and his grandchildren Harrison, Margeaux, Frances Brown, Catherine and Reid (Riley) Swantner, Blake and Baxter Ferguson.

A Memorial Service for Mr. Gordy will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 19, 2022, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard's, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions for Mr. Gordy may be made to St Mark's Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77701.

Complete and updated information may be found at: broussards1889.com.