Japhas Andrew Gordon Jr.

Mr. Japhas Andrew Gordon Jr. ("Jay"), age 52, died Wednesday, December 28 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the son of Japhas Andrew Gordon, Sr. and Lola Davis Gordon of Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Jay, a 1983 graduate of Dollarway High School, also attended UAPB where he studied music education and played alto saxophone in the marching band. He then graduated from the Food Services Program at SEARK and later held positions with UAPB's Food Service, Walmart, Pizza Hut and Tyson Foods. A talented bass guitarist, he accompanied many church choirs, participated in musicals, and was a dedicated member of the Men in Black Chorus. At the time of his death, he was a resident at Points of Light Assisted Living Facility in West Memphis. Jay was predeceased by his father, a Professor of Agricultural Economics/Farm Management at UAPB. Survivors include his mother (a retired Dollarway High School math teacher, musician and devoted local volunteer), four sisters, two brothers-in-law and a host of other family members.Visitation will be Friday, January 6, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, January 7, at 10 a.m., also at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Lloyd Holcomb Jr., Pastor. Interment will be in Graceland Cemetery, Pine Bluff. The family requests donations to the UAPB Foundation directed to the Department of Music in lieu of other gifts, if desired.