Gordon William Sommers

Gordon William Sommers entered the kingdom of Heaven on February 20, 2016. Gordon was born on January 22, 1922 in St. Louis, Missouri. He graduated from Kirkwood High School in St. Louis in 1939. He graduated from Princeton, summa cum laude, and was elected Phi Beta Kappa in 1943. Gordon began a lifelong career of service to his country in 1943 when he entered the U.S. Army, attained the rank of Captain, and served until 1947. Upon leaving military service Gordon began working civilian service with the Army Security Agency (ASA). He transferred to the Air Force Security Services (USAFSS), headquartered at Brooks AFB, and was reassigned in 1979 to the Electronic Security Command (ESC). Gordon served as advisor to the commander of headquarters at ESC in the review, evaluation, formulation of policies, concepts, and objectives governing the mission of the globally dispersed command. Gordon received numerous commendations and awards for his service. Among these he was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal, authorized by William Webster, CIA director. Gordon was a founding member of the Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency's Freedom Through Vigilance Hall of Honor. Gordon and his late wife, Dorothy, were married for 37 years and had two sons. They became members at St. David's church in 1957. Gordon served on the church vestry twice and was actively involved in Agape Ministries. Dorothy lost her battle with cancer in 1982. Gordon remarried in 1984 to Vicki Sommers. They were married for 28 years before she passed in 2012. Gordon is survived by two sons. They are Gordon Edmund Sommers and his wife Patty and Bill Sommers and his wife Dana. Ed and Patty have four children, Jody Stahl and her husband Keith, Gordon Kyle Sommers and his wife Michelle, Dr. Patrick Sommers and his wife Kelli, and Jamie Schlegel and her husband Steven. Bill and Dana have two children, Grant Sommers and his wife Mo and Claire Schmidt and her husband Wes. Gordon is survived by twelve great grandchildren. Gordon was a loving, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather that will be remembered for sharing his faith and love of God, his service to his country, and his devotion to his family. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 27 at 11:00 AM at St. David's Episcopal Church 1300 Wiltshire Ave. San Antonio, Texas. If you would like to make a donation, please send to the Sommers Memorial Fund to empower and educate women at St. David's Episcopal Church.