James Caldwell Gordon III

James "Jim" Caldwell Gordon, III, passed away peacefully at home overlooking Lake Livingston, Texas, surrounded by his family on February 5, 2024, after a brief illness. He was a proud graduate of Duke University, twice, and thrived as a 32-year career intelligence officer for the Central Intelligence Agency from 1986 to 2017, rising to the rank of Senior Intelligence Service.

Jim was—and will ever remain—simply the best. He was the smartest, funniest, strongest, everything who could do anything that needed doing. He was the most beautifully powerful Duke swimmer, the best volunteer clock operator for Duke women's basketball, the most creative CIA program manager, and the most clever chief financial officer of the family business. But Jim's greatest roles were reserved for his family. He was the best son, brother, husband, father, and PoPo of all time. You couldn't be unhappy around him; and his lightning-quick wit, absolute lack of filter, willingness to try anything, and uncanny ability to see the humor in any situation were gifts he generously shared with all comers. The world is decidedly better for his presence, as are those he has left behind who will carry his light forward.

Never has a person been truer to themselves. He didn't have to tell you how smart he was; you saw his brilliance play out in real-time. He never had to apologize for his humor; he knew the value of a great joke and wasn't bothered if you didn't. He could tell you, "Okay, I'm done now," while talking on the phone and not raise an eyebrow; in your heart, you knew the conversation was over at that point, too. You never had to wonder if he loved you; he showed it through every action. Jim lived this life by following a moral compass trained perpetually true north, and while this didn't preclude mistakes, it obviated regret. We pray he (correctly) felt none.

Jim is survived by his best friend (and wife) of 43 years, Susan Monroe "Sue" Gordon; a son James Caldwell Gordon, IV, and his wife, Bethany Gordon; a daughter, Katherine Charlotte Koepp and her husband, Eric Anthony Koepp; grandchildren Harper Grace Gordon, Jackson Anthony Koepp, James Caldwell Gordon, V, and Theodore Bydand Koepp; and two sisters, Marcia Nicole Gordon and Sharon Gordon Warwick.

Celebration of Jim's magnificent life will be as he would have wanted, private and continuous.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations in Jim's honor to the CIA Memorial Officer's Fund, https://www.ciamemorialfoundation.org/donate.