USAF Veteran Mourned

Major John E. Gordon, Jr. passed away April 24, 2026, after a sudden battle with pancreatitis. His sudden death has left the world without a wonderful man and five children without their beloved “Pop-Pop.”

“His passing has left us all in shock,” his wife, Marge and his sons Jonathan and Michael, said. “We were all with him when he passed.”

Born in Syracuse, New York, John moved to Delaware as a small child. John entered the world on July 24, 1949, the son of John “Jack” Gordon and Helen “Lynn” Hoffman Gordon Jankus.

John met Marge when they were both 16 and the couple celebrated 55 years of marriage last June. They had two sons, Jonathon, married to his wife, Stephanie and Michael, married to Kelly. Jonathon and Stephanie gave John a grandson and granddaughter while Michael and Kelly gave him two grandsons and one granddaughter. His five grandchildren were John’s greatest pleasure in his retirement. He loved them dearly and enjoyed being with them as often as possible.

After graduating from Salesianum High School, John graduated from Keene State College, receiving a master’s degree in public administration from Troy State University.

John was a Cub Scout and became active in Civil Air Patrol. After college, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served as an enlisted man for six years until attending Officer Candidate Training School. He retired as a major in May of 1995 and began working for Beebe Hospital shortly after.

John retired from Beebe in 2018 in order to stay home and play with his grandchildren and pretend to be a gardener. His greatest pleasure besides family was helping whenever and wherever he was needed. He volunteered as a reading coach, was active in Relay for Life for many years and found joy in taking care of the Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse. He was on the board of directors of the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation.

John is survived by his wife, Marge, sons Jonathan and Michael; their wives Stephanie and Kelly as well as his five grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings, Patricia McMichael, Sharon “Cheri” Gordon-Patterson; Gerilyn Gaskill and her husband, Howard; Joseph Gordon and his wife, Cheryle; and Theresa Davis, and her husband, James. He is also survived by his stepsiblings Jimmy Prichard; Rebecca Prichard Dammann; Jon Pritchard; David Prichard; Jen Yoon; Tomas Gordon; Tara Gordon Fairchild; Chris Lohr; Sean Lohr and Matt Lohr.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Deborah Moore and brother-in-law, Charlie McMichael.

His family says that he took great pleasure in guiding his siblings through life’s adventures. John will be greatly missed by his family and the many people who became like family to him over the years.

John will be laid to rest with military honors at Delaware Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery, 26669 Patriots Way, Millsboro at 2 PM on Friday, May 15, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation (DRBLF), PO Box 708, Lewes DE 19958 in his memory.