Eugene "Gene" GORDON

GORDON, Eugene 'Gene'
The founder of the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Eugene 'Gene' Gordon passed away peacefully on June 16, age 85, surrounded by his loving family.

Gene and his wife Margaret opened the first La-Z-Boy Showcase shoppes in Sacramento at El Camino and Watt in 1982 after many years in the furniture business. Still owned by the family, the stores have grown to seven area La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries locations employing more than 70 people.

Raised in Chicago, Gene served his country in WWII and graduated in 1950 on the GI Bill with a degree in business from Northwestern University where he was a member of the SAE Fraternity.

Gene started his long career in the furniture business as the juvenile furniture buyer for Montgomery Ward in Chicago. He was later a vice president for Wickes Building and Lumber after which he was president of Wickes Furniture opening its first retail showroom in Wheeling, Illinois. He was then a senior vice president for Wickes Corporation in San Diego after which he was president of Woodard Furniture in Owosso, Michigan, before moving to Sacramento with Margaret to open the first La-Z-Boy Showcase shoppes in northern California.

'Gene loved the Sacramento area and enjoyed watching the business grow from one small store in an old Kinney shoe store site, to seven beautiful showrooms across the valley,' said Jim Reego, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries president and son-in-law. 'He taught me so much about hiring the right people for each position, taking care of your employees, marketing your business every day and always providing customers with the very best quality and service.'

'My dad's love for this business is exemplified by the fact that even when he was in the hospital,' said his daughter and co-owner Liz Reego, "he was asking each staff member if they owned La-Z-Boy furniture and if they didn't, he explained to them why they should.'

Gene is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Margaret (Soergel) Gordon, his daughter Mia Gordon-Poorman, son-in-law Stephen Poorman and grandson Sebastian Poorman of Dallas; his daughter Elizabeth (Gordon) Reego, son-in-law James Reego and grandchildren Andrew and Grace Reego of Granite Bay; his son James Eugene Gordon of Roseville; nephews Charles Gordon and David Soergel and nieces Glynis (Gordon) DeVanna, Grace (Gordon) Holland and Diana (Soergel) Stead.

A celebration of his life will be enjoyed at the Sun City Roseville Timbercreek Ballroom on July 13 at 5:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Downtown Ministries, PO Box 542, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741 to assist homeless women and their families.