Paul Edward Gordon

Paul Edward Gordon (May 21, 1930 - April 21, 2023) The Reverend Paul Edward Gordon, DD of Loris, SC, Pastor Emeritus of Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church, Williamsport, PA, died at age 92 on April 21, 2023. Born in West Chester, PA, on May 21, 1930, the only child of the late Paul M. and A. Elizabeth March Gordon, he was a graduate of West Chester High School, of what is now Cairn University, Philadelphia, of what is now West Chester University, and of The Theological Seminary of Lincoln University at Oxford, PA. He also studied at Lancaster Theological Seminary. In his last year of college, he was appointed student pastor of Toughkenamon Presbyterian Church near Kennett Square by the Presbytery of Donegal. Following seminary graduation, he became its first full-time pastor in fifty years. In 1963 he was called to the Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church, Cogan Station, near Williamsport. Following the death of his wife of forty-two years, Faith Anne (nee Pedrick) in 1997, he retired from the beloved congregation that he had served for thirty-four years and became chaplain at Forrest Park Health Center in Carlisle, PA. In 1999 he moved to Paradise, PA, returning to the Toughkenamon church as its supply pastor until November 2011. In March 2014 he became the first chaplain of the Long Community at Highland, Lancaster, where he served for 8 years. While a resident at Loris Rehab and Nursing in Loris, SC, he also led worship, concluding 75 years of preaching the gospel. Ordained by Donegal Presbytery in 1960, he served in many offices of the Northumberland Presbytery, including that of moderator. While on the Evangelism Committee of the Synod of Pennsylvania he was the originator of the core concept of the RISK Evangelism program adopted by the General Assembly of the denomination that became an international program. At Lycoming Centre he was instrumental in the founding of its Korean congregation. For six years he was a member of the Williamsport Area School District School Board and for twelve years a member of the Board of Trustees of Presbyterian Homes. He also served a term on the Board of Directors of St. Andrew's Theological College and Seminary, NC. He knew at a very early age he was called to the ministry and it was his lifelong passion. His great joys, apart from family, included music, nature, flower gardening, eating ice cream, and writing poetry. He is survived by the following children: Elizabeth Nowak (The Rev. William), Greenville, SC; Paul A. Gordon (Lynne), Pittsburgh; David M. Gordon (Heidi), East Lansing, MI; The Most Revd Thomas E. Gordon (Janet), Loris, SC; and foster son James L. Hurst (Marcia), Allentown; fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A daughter, Anne Gordon Kane, died in 2012. A service of praise and worship will be held at Bellevue Presbyterian Church, Gap, PA, on May 20 at 11 a.m. with interment following in the family plot in Northwood Cemetery, Downingtown, PA. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, Bellevue Presbyterian Church Deacon's Fund, or Overseas Missionary Fellowship.