Gordon II, Joseph Grover
Dec. 25, 1945 - Sept. 13, 2013
Joseph Grover Gordon II passed away on Friday, September 13th.& Joe graduated from Harvard University (Class of 1967), with the degree of Bacherlor of Arts cum laude in chemistry and physics. He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on a National Science Foundation Fellowship and in 1970, received his PhD in inorganic chemistry. He joined the faculty of the California Institute of Technology as an assistant professor of chemistry. In 1975, he joined the research staff of IBM Almaden in San Jose, CA where he worked for 33 years. During his work in thin films and batteries, he produced twelve patents and published numerous scientific papers.& He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society.& Joe retired from IBM in 2009 and went to work for Applied Materials as a Sr. Director for Advanced Technology.& Joe is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, son, Perry and wife Alyshia, and grandson, Grayson; his brothers, Eric R. Gordon, Dr. Craig S. Gordon and wife Patricia and a sister, Dr. Rhea Gordon and her husband Jack Williams; brothers-in-law, William B. Gordon and wife Elizabeth (Winchester, MA), Gregory A. Gordon (Worcester, MA); sisters-in-law Ethel G. Harris, and Luverta McClain (Somerville, MA); and many other relatives. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 5 at 11:00 am., at the First Unitarian Church, 160 N. 3rd Street, San Jose, CA 95112. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dr. Joseph G. Gordon Scholarship Fund at Wake Forest University (P.O. Box 7227, Winston-Salem, NC 27109), Phillips Exeter Academy, Class of 1963 Scholarship Fund (20 Main Street Exeter, NH 03833) or to the San Jose Chamber Music Society (P.O. Box 108 San Jose, CA 95103-0108). More information about Joe's life and work can be found at: www.thehistorymakers.com/biography

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Published by Boston Globe from Sep. 27 to Sep. 29, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for JOSEPH GORDON

13 Entries

Will Hogoboom

November 8, 2013

I didn't meet Joe, but I worked with him over the last couple years. It was always such a pleasure to work with Joe and to talk to him. He was one of the nicest guys I have ever known.

Kathryn Lee

October 10, 2013

Joe was the best supervisor I ever had. He knew when I was having problems and helped me solve them. His guidance was perfect for me in my early career. He was a great leader, and a kind and generous person. He will be greatly missed.

Sharon Maiden

October 6, 2013

Our deepest sympathies to the Ruth and Perry (and his family)...Joe was a great man and a wonderful neighbor. We have wonderful memories of many neighborhood parties with Ruth and Joe as well as lovely chats over a glass of good wine. May God watch over his family.
Love, Frank, Sharon & Shawn Maiden

Sondra Akins

October 2, 2013

My deepest sympathy to Ruth and the Gordon family. I have always cherished memories of our childhood in Winston-Salem and the times we met in Massachusetts and New Jersey.
Sondra (Barber) and Dan Akins

Andrew Snorton

September 30, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Gordon family at this and all times. His support of our alma mater (Wake Forest) through the creation of the Gordon Scholarship have helped a considerable number of students in their academic, professional, and personal development. His care and concern for the condition of the human condition is one that all of us can follow.

Again, continued thoughts and prayers to all family, friends, and loved ones.

Sincerely,
Andrew Snorton
President, Association of Wake Forest University Black Alumni

Billie Matthews

September 29, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with the family..
I remember Dr. Gordon when he attended
Atkins High School. A brilliant PERSON....Peace to the family

September 27, 2013

I was saddened to hear of the loss of Joe. Tho he lived so far away, we always remember those neighbors and schoolmates from times past. May you be comforted at this time, knowing that he is remembered by many. God bless. Linda Scales Dark, Winston Salem

Deeanne(Newell) Banks

September 26, 2013

RIP Joe. May God give your family strength. North Carolina will always be our home

September 25, 2013

May God bless you all.

Eleanor Steele-Kay, M.D.

September 25, 2013

There are many of us from Winston-Salem who, remembering Joseph and his family, are deeply saddened and wish to offer condolences to his family and loved ones. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4)

Lydia McClure

September 25, 2013

The blue September sky dimmed in Almaden Valley today after learning of Joe's passing. My heart goes out to his family and friends. It was a pleasure to have worked with him at Applied Materials. He was a wonderful example of a life well lived.

Evelyn Terry

September 25, 2013

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.

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