Clifford Gordon

Former township teacher Clifford Gordon, 86, died Aug. 27 at his home in Hendersonville, N.C.

Born in Liberty, Miss., Mr. Gordon graduated as valedictorian of his high school class in 1945. After a year at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., he enlisted in the army. He spent two years as a clerk at Fort Sheridan outside Chicago, Ill., and later became a sergeant, receiving an honorable discharge in 1948.

Mr. Gordon resumed his education at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pa. Upon graduating in 1951, he taught English at Lancaster (Pa.) Country Day School for seven years.

Mr. Gordon moved to New York City in 1958, where he worked as a teletypist, a switchboard operator, a record company copywriter and an amanuensis for the writer Isabel Bolton. He then moved to Madison to teach English at Millburn High School, where he taught for 37 years.

After retiring, Mr. Gordon spent the next six years in New Jersey before moving to Hendersonville. During retirement he wrote and self-published a book of poetry and two memoirs.At Mr. Gordon's request, no funeral services will be held.