Gordon Raymond Lively Sr.

LONGVIEW — Gordon Raymond Lively Sr., president of Lively Cadillac-GMC, passed away at his home Friday, December 30, 2011, following a brief illness. Visitation will be 5-6:30 p.m. today, January 2, 2012, at Rader Funeral Home. Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at Rosewood Park.
Gordon was born March 20, 1926, in Denver, Colorado. His family later moved to Amarillo and then to Gregg County in the early 1930s, during the East Texas oil boom. He attended Gladewater schools until moving to Marshall in 1940. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1943.
After graduation, Gordon enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a petty officer and sonar operator on the destroyer USS Walker DD-517 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater, participating in battles all the way from the Southwest Pacific northward until the end of the war. The USS Walker survived kamikaze attacks and battle damage so severe that it was twice sent back to Long Beach, California, for major repairs but returned to battle.
After the war, Gordon returned to Marshall and married his high school sweetheart, Margene Winningham, in 1949. He joined his father in his wholesale motor oil business and maintained the business after his father's retirement. Always the businessman and salesman, Gordon helped in his father's business while he was in high school. He had a commercial driver's license at age 14 and made oil deliveries and sales.
Gordon began his successful career in the car business selling used cars for his wife's uncle's company in Shreveport, La.. Later he opened his own used car business there. Because of his success as a salesman, Gordon moved to Port Arthur, Texas, to manage the used car department of a dealership but quickly advanced to general manager of the company and later became a partner.
In 1967, Gordon moved to Longview and purchased Harris Olds-Cadillac located at 411 North Green Street from owner, Hiram Harris. Under his leadership, Lively Oldsmobile Cadillac acquired GMC in 1969, and upon growing the business from a small volume to a large volume dealership, Gordon acquired the property on Spur 63, where the dealership currently resides. He designed the dealership's building and oversaw the construction of the dealership he loved.
An outgoing, dynamic man, Gordon loved the automobile business and his customers, many of whom became his friends, and taught hundreds of loyal employees the value of putting the customer first as they are the ones who keep the doors open.
Upon moving to Longview, Gordon became an ardent Lobo football fan. He immediately bought season tickets to Lobo games and followed the team throughout the state for more than 30 years. He especially enjoyed traveling to the games with his friends in his motor home. When his health prohibited him from attending the games, he enjoyed following the team on the radio. In 1995, Longview High School honored him for his loyal support of the Lobos.
Always a champion of those less fortunate, Gordon hosted the MDA Labor Day Telethon and delighted in welcoming Jerry's kids to the store. Because he loved the beauty of hot air balloons and believed that a balloon race could provide family entertainment to the area, he joined several community leaders in bringing the Great Texas Balloon Race to Longview and served on the balloon race board for a number of years. Gordon was also honored to serve more than 1200 families each Christmas hosting the Toys for Tots collection drive.
Following his active participation in the daily operation of the dealership, he enjoyed traveling the world with his wife and friends. Travel fed his adventurous spirit and love of learning. He also enjoyed his dogs and horses.
Mr. Lively was preceded in death by his father, Earl W. Lively Sr.; his mother, Jeannie Margaret Dotson Lively; and stepmother, Frankie DeMoss Lively.
Mr. Lively is survived by his wife; his son, Gordon R. Lively Jr. and wife, Debbie, of Longview; his daughter, Marceil Gladys Lively of Longview; his brother, Earl W. Lively Jr. and wife, Della, and his niece, Anna Rand Lively, all of Dallas. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Autumn Lively of Beaumont, Shane Light and his wife, Jenny, of Houston, and Chris Light and his wife, Raye, of Longview. He is also survived by seven great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Heart Association or the Humane Society of Gregg County.
A memorial guestbook may be signed at www.raderfh.com