Thomas "Tom" Russell Gordon

Thomas was born on April 27, 1957, to Harold and Regina Gordon. Thomas was born in the Bronx, NY and a short years later moved to CA where he was raised through adulthood. Over the last few years Tom moved to Goodyear, AZ to be close to his daughter and grandchildren. Who was later hospitalized in the beginning of 2025 with pneumonia and Influenza A, that he made his health decline. On January 25, 2025, He passed away surrounded by his loved ones.

For over 30+ years Tom was a general contractor, which he would say was the best and no one could do what he could do! But his best greatest joy was becoming a father. He dedicated everything to be the best dad he could be. 

Tom loved telling stories, if you knew Tom, you knew you were about to hear the best story and he was known for remembering people by their first and last name  in his stories (it is pretty remarkable); he always knew how to make you laugh, his favorite line “Oh look people are kayaking to come eat my mashed potatoes!” 

Tom was a single father to his daughter Ashly (married to Andrew): and his beautiful grandchildren, Bailey and Benjamin. He was brother to Carol, Lori, Shelly Jodi and Scott; and a wonderful friend to so many. Tom will forever hold a place in our hearts and our memories and will be greatly missed. 

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 2:00pm at Meldrum Mortuary Chapel, located at 52 N Macdonald, Mesa, AZ 85201.

                                                            Eulogy from the Celebration

Thomas, Russell Gordon. A man who loved deeply, laughed loudly, and left an unforgettable mark on all who knew him.

Tom was born on April 27th, 1957, in the Bronx, New York, and on January 25th, 2025, in Mesa, Arizona. He left this world, but not without leaving behind a lifetime of love, laughter, and memories. He was one of six siblings; Carol, Lori, and Shelley now welcome him in heaven along with our parents Harold and Louise, while myself, Jody and my brother Scott, will hold his memory close in our hearts. But above all, Tom's greatest pride and joy was his daughter, Ashly. He was a devoted, single father who poured every ounce of himself into raising her period. She was his world, his purpose, his everything. And in time, that love. Extended to his son-in-law, Andrew and his two beautiful grandchildren, Bailey and Benjamin. His absolute pride and joy.

Tom had a way of making people feel special. He was kind to everyone, always quick to lend a helping hand and never expected anything in return. He had a gift for storytelling, and if you knew Tom, you probably heard the same story more than once. Because when he loved the memory, he made sure everyone else loved it too. He was a prankster, always keeping us on our toes, and his laughter was infectious. He lived for those moments of joy, for making people smile, and for creating memories that would last a lifetime. His hands were always busy, whether restoring old cars, riding his Harley, fishing, camping, or even playing Mario Kart. And let's Not forget his legendary skills at playing cards- Though if you ever played against him, you'd probably say those skills involved a little bit of cheating!

Tom was also a man of dedication and discipline. He served in the Marine Corps and later spent over 30 years as a general contractor specializing in painting. You could always tell how hard he worked by the layers of paint. On his pants-A true mark of a Craftsman. He loved teaching others, sharing his skills, and making sure everyone around him had the tools to succeed.

He didn't slow down. In fact, he found a new path helping his brother-in-law, Peter, launch his door-to-door food company. Tom was the company's first salesman, but he didn't just sell food, he poured himself into the business, helping in every way he could. Whether it was preparing trucks, setting up freezers, or simply lending a hand whenever needed, Tom showed up with the same work ethic and dedication he had always been known for. He believed in the people he worked with and always gave his all, no matter the job. 

But perhaps one of the most telling things about Tom's heart was something he did when he was younger- visiting children's hospitals just to spend time with sick kids, playing with them, making them laugh, giving them moments of joy, in their toughest times. That was the kind of man he was. Selfless, kind, and full of love.

His legacy is not just in the work he did, the jokes he told, or the stories he shared. It lives on through his daughter and his grandkids. He raised an incredible woman in Ashley, and his love and sacrifices shaped who she is today. Through her and through Bailey and Benjamin, his spirit will live on.

Tom had a way of bringing people together. He would have loved seeing all of us here, sharing stories, laughing, and reminiscing about the life he lived. And speaking of stories- for some reason, Tom had a thing for kayaks. He would joke about them all the time, finding ways to bring them up in conversation, as if everyone traveled by kayak. So in true Tom fashion, we just want to say-Thank you to everyone who kayaked their way here today to celebrate his life.

                                                         Rest in peace, Big Brother.

Your love, your sacrifices, and your unwavering devotion will never be forgotten.