Alfred Y. Gordon Sr.

Alfred Y. Gordon, Sr., age 95, of Fayetteville, Ark., went to be with his Lord in Heaven, July 28, 2015, surrounded by his family. Al was born in Whistler, Alabama, on July 25, 1920, to Emma & John Gordon. He moved to Hattiesburg, Miss., where he lived until he completed his high school education. Al then joined one of his brothers in Santa Monica, Calif., where he studied and trained to become a loftsman for Douglas Aircraft Company until 1941. While in California, he played minor league baseball and was offered a contract by the St. Louis Cardinals. He chose, however, to enter the armed forces. He volunteered in 1942 for the Army Air Corps during World War II and served as a captain in the 556th Army Air Corps Air Supply Group in the Pacific Theatre. He attended the University of Arkansas and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture in 1949. While there, he played baseball for the Razorbacks, where he was a valued left-handed pitcher. He was a loyal and active Razorback fan all of his life and an alumnae member since 1949. He returned to Helena, Ark., in 1949, where he lived until moving to Fayetteville in August of 2011. While living in Helena, he was a member of the American Legion, taught WWII veterans in 1950 and 1951, was a partner in farming of Oneida Planting Company until 1976, served on the Phillips County Quorum Court, Farm Bureau Board, and State Farm Bureau Board, was elected Phillips County Judge in 1976-1990, and was appointed chairman of the National Committee of Inland Waterways. Big Al, as many called him, loved to hunt and play golf. He was a member of the Hardin Point Hunting Club, the Mississippi Delta Seniors Golf Association, the Arkansas Senior Golf Association and served as president of that group. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Helena, Ark., and was affiliated with Central United Methodist in Fayetteville the last five years of his life. In Helena, he served on the Board of Trustees, the Finance Committee, and many activities of the church. In 1944, he married Emma Lee Campbell of Oneida, Ark., and they had two children: Durinda Gordon Gammill (Gary) of Hot Springs and Dr. Al Gordon Jr. (Debby) of Fayetteville. He is also survived by three grandchildren: Lee Gammill McAhren (Camron) of Springdale, Helen Gammill Shirron (Stephen) of Sheridan, and Laine Gordon of Oklahoma City, Okla.; three great grandchildren: Garrett Pieroni of Springdale, Madison Shirron and Reagan Shirron, both of Sheridan, one sister-in-law: Cassie Brothers of Helena and many nieces and nephews whom he loved and enjoyed. The order of services are as follows: On Friday, July 31, a private burial service for family only at Maple Hill Cemetery in Helena, Ark. at 9 a.m. with an open memorial service at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Helena, Ark. A memorial service will also be held at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Ark. on Monday, August 3 at 2 p.m. Roller Citizen Funeral Home of Helena/West Helena is in charge of funeral arrangements (870) 572-2571. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Helena, Ark., 502 Porter St., Helena, Ark. 72342 or Central United Methodist Church of Fayetteville, Ark., 6 West Dickson St., Fayetteville, Ark. 72702. An online guest book can be signed at: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/westhelena.