Edward Franklin Gordon

Edward Franklin Gordon of San Antonio, Texas passed away on Saturday, July 6 at the age of 77. He was born on July 5, 1947 in Champaign, IL to Leo and Geraldine Gordon and grew up with his sister Kathy Oliveira and brothers John and Joe Gordon.

He graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science and Letters and received a Master of Science in Physics with Distinction from the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, CA.

He is survived by his loving wife, Cheryl Gordon; children, Courtney Alexanderson and Christian Gordon; and the kitties, Jaws and Harry.

Ed was truly dedicated to leading a life of service.

He served his country. Ed joined the U.S. Navy in November 1969. He was stationed/taught/or was a student in the following locales: Pensacola, FL; Alameda, CA (where he met and married Cheryl); Monterey, CA; Oak Harbor, WA; Annapolis, MD; Washington DC; Newport, RI and eventually San Antonio, TX where he retired after serving a distinguished 26 years. During his time in the Navy, Ed was designated as a Naval Flight Officer flying the A-3 and EA-6B Prowler, served in Vietnam (62 combat support missions) and Desert Storm, taught physics at the U.S. Naval Academy, served a two-year tour as Project Officer in the War Gaming Department at the Naval War College, was named the Commanding Officer of the VAQ-142 Grim Watchdogs and was promoted to Captain while deployed on the USS Nimitz. He took advantage of visiting various ports around the world during his service, with Cheryl visiting him in Greece, Italy, Spain, Australia, Hawaii, and Hong Kong.

He served his students. Upon his retirement from the Navy, Ed joined the Edgewood and San Antonio school districts teaching high school honors math and science. He retired after 17 years of teaching yet continued acting as a private tutor.

He served God. Ed was dedicated to the Catholic Church and joined Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church (SEAS) in 2012. He was actively involved with the SEAS ACTS team (Adoration, Community, Theology and Service) and was either the head or co-captain for five ACTS men’s retreats. He was hired by the pastor as the parish manager which morphed into his most recent role as church coordinator. As church coordinator, Ed was a liturgical lead, supervisor of 10 sacristans, RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) instructor, bible study teacher for over 10 courses and wedding administrator. He was set to retire from SEAS at the end of August 2024. The word on the street is that SEAS had to enlist two people to do the work of one man. This is a true testament to his belief in and dedication to the church. Ed handwrote these words that he kept in his church office: “God wanted him NOT on an aircraft carrier BUT AT SEAS in his most current capacity to survive COVID and to help build SEAS into a still-evolving pastoral center of excellence”.

Ed was an avid fan of University of Illinois football and basketball, the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys. He thoroughly enjoyed reading, especially Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire series. In most recent years, he and Cheryl cruised around New England and Chesapeake Bay, travelled to Hawaii, visited Monterey and Carmel, CA several times and toured the Holy Land with the Pilgrim Center of Hope.

The family would like to thank Kathy, Wally, and Bryce Oliveira; John Gordon; Susie Spitzer; Diana Vargyas-Alexander; Father Nolan; Nancy and Curtis Wise; Father George; Father Rosales; Deacon Lee and Vicki Jan; Cathy Garcia; and Father McGrath for the care, friendship and compassion they showed Ed in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a rosary prayer service at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in San Antonio at 7:00 pm Thursday, August 8, 2024.

Family and friends are also invited to attend a funeral mass at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church at 10:00 am Friday, August 9, 2024. Reception will follow. To match Ed’s vibrant and fun personality, please dress colorfully (hint, Ed loved orange and aloha shirts).

Interment to follow at 2:15 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Ed’s honor to:

Animal Care Services

https://www.sa.gov/Directory/Departments/ACS/Help/Donate

-or-

Pilgrim Center of Hope

https://pilgrimcenterofhope.org/support/donate-online.html