With the grace and strength we would all expect, Gordon Amendt, 89, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 25, 2023. He was reunited with his beloved wife Marge just four months after her passing. Gordon was born in Kongju, Korea on June 22, 1933, to his missionary parents Charles and Edith and spent the first five years of his life there.
Gordon attended Ohio Wesleyan University where he met and married Marge. He graduated with a degree in history, but within days of graduating an opportunity arose to enter the insurance business in Dayton, Ohio and his career began. In 1967 the family moved to Michigan where Gordon joined Farm Bureau Insurance and retired from there after 30 years.
Gordon was a man of deep faith, compassion, and service throughout his life. Most significantly he served as a Deacon at East Lansing Trinity Church for many years, and held multiple roles, including President, of his homeowners’ association from its inception up until his passing. In these roles he was a leader, a problem-solver, a peacemaker. He embraced these roles with the same positive attitude that he embodied in his daily life.
He served as wise counsel to both friends and family. His opinion was valued, sought out, and trusted. He used his lifetime of experience to help and guide others and did so with his usual good humor, genuine interest in people, and a kindness that came naturally to him.
It may not come as a surprise to most that Gordon was a big fan of MSU sports, particularly hockey and men’s and women’s basketball. More than just a spectator, he was an active athlete through most of his life. Baseball, basketball, and tennis were part of his youth, but golf was a lifetime love that he shared and passed on to his children and grandchildren. In retirement he enjoyed annual golf trips to North Carolina with his son, sons-in-law, and grandsons, participated in a weekly retiree’s golf league, and played many rounds with dear friends whenever he could.
Gordon had an inner strength and spirit that both friends and family admired greatly. He is survived by his children, Beth (Mark) Middleton, David (Leslee) Amendt, Meg (Nate)Thompson, and Amy (Mark) Allen; grandsons Cory (Andria) Amendt and Jordan Amendt, great-grandchildren Claire and Calvin Amendt, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Don and Alice Post, many nieces and nephews, and his cherished friend of 65 plus years, Bill Judy, and the entire Judy family of Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his sisters Janet Groover and Barbara Kessie.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes East Chapel with visitation from 10:00 am until the time of service. The family invites those who wish to attend the funeral service virtually do so at the following link: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/84175
The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at Sparrow Hospital and Harmony Cares Hospice for their exceptional care and compassion.
In lieu of flowers, please search your hearts and give to a charity of your choice if you choose.
When we lose someone we love we must learn not to live without them, but to live with the love they left behind.
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