Thomas Francis Gordon

Thomas Francis Gordon of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2025. Tom, a man of deep faith, enjoyed a happy life, which he described as “full of many blessings and opportunities, and a multitude of friends.”

Tom grew up in Kansas City, attending Visitation Grade School and Rockhurst High School before graduating from the University of Notre Dame. He earned his law degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a Master of Laws degree in Trial Practice from the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Before starting his law career, Tom joined the Army in 1967, where he became a Captain and Provost Marshal stationed at Camp Darby, Italy. He was awarded the United States Army Commendation Medal.

For three decades, Tom practiced law with his father Norman and his brother John in the firm of Gordon & Gordon. During those years, he was also chairman of the City Plan Commission, a member of the Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation Board and their Board of Governors, a member of the Jackson County Insurance Commission, and an officer and Board member of the Citizens Association of Kansas City.

In 2000, Tom left the legal profession to become President of Avila College in Kansas City, Missouri. During his Presidency, Avila became Avila University and completed the largest capital campaign drive in its history; it also fielded its first varsity football team. Tom was later inducted into the Avila Athletic Hall of Fame and was awarded the Avila Medal of Honor.

In 2006, Tom was selected for and accepted the position of Federal Administrative Law Judge in Sacramento, California. He was one of seven judges in the country deciding cases involving American Indian land and funds held in trust by the U.S. Government. He held hearings throughout the western United States, sharing his gifts of wisdom and fairness. Also in 2006, Tom married Earlene (Farr) Gordon, who joined him in Sacramento, where they embraced new and exciting experiences and made countless memories.

In 2014, Tom retired and returned to Kansas City with Earlene. In retirement, he found new and meaningful ways to serve his community. He helped the Diocese start a new high school, St. Michael the Archangel in Lee’s Summit, serving as Chairperson of the Board of Trustees. The school awarded him the Presidential Medal of Honor twice.

Tom had a special allegiance to the University of Notre Dame, which brought him joy and meaning throughout his life. Over the years, he served as a Director of the Notre Dame National Alumni Association, as Chair of the Notre Dame National Senior Alumni Board, and as President of the Kansas City Notre Dame Club. He and his family often attended ND football games, and he recorded countless games to later review (and relive). The Notre Dame fight song was a family favorite in the Gordon household.

Tom’s commitment and contributions to Catholic Education were publicly recognized in 2021 when he received the Aquinas Award for his “tireless efforts of service and sharing of God’s grace” to students, faculty, and his community.

Tom lived a life of service to others. Growing up, he was an Eagle Scout and a member of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say. He served as a visiting Eucharistic Minister in Kansas City and Sacramento. He was a member of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the Order of the Knights of Malta, and the Serra Club.

Tom always made time for fun. He was an avid sports spectator and a master of sports trivia. He played tennis for many years at the Rockhill Tennis Club. Tom’s sense of adventure and interest in history led him to travel to Europe (especially Italy), the Holy Land, and throughout the United States.

Tom had a deep and genuine interest in people from all walks of life. He would talk to someone in line with him, a priest, the server at a restaurant, friends of his kids, or a Congressman with the same eager interest. He made everyone he met feel seen and special.

But above all else, family meant everything to Tom. He was a loyal and devoted brother. He was a wonderful dad to his three children: affectionate, humorous, deeply involved, and unwaveringly supportive. He loved being “Grandad” to six girls, calling this role one of God’s greatest blessings in his life. He sang them lullabies, danced with them in the kitchen, sent them postcards from his travels, and took them out for manicures.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Norman Gordon; his mother, Dorothea; his stepmother, Mary Elizabeth “Libby”; his sister, Kathryn Murphy; his sister-in-law, Frances Gordon; his stepbrother, William Whitaker; and his stepsister, Frances Peterman.

Tom is survived by his devoted wife and best friend, Earlene; his children, Michael (Kim) Gordon, Paul (Amy) Gordon, and Kathryn “Betsy” Gordon (Marlin) Smith; former spouse DeAnna Gordon; and granddaughters Annie Gordon, Emily Gordon, Eleanor Smith, Dorothy Smith, Louisa Smith, and Imogen Smith.

Tom is also survived by his brother, John Gordon; his sister, Margaret (Tony) Louvier; as well as by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Additionally, Tom is survived by stepsisters Mary Jane Davis and Linda (Bob) Page, and by stepbrothers James (Leslie) Whitaker, John (Marg) Whitaker, and Christopher (Kaitlin) Whitaker.

Funeral services will be held February 11, 2025, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, Missouri. Visitation will be from Noon to 2:00 p.m., with Mass of Christian Burial following at 2:00 p.m. The Mass will be live-streamed, please join in by using the following link - https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25021905379002 A reception will follow Mass at the church.

Tom's committal service will be held 10am, Thursday, February 20, 2025 in Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery - Mausoleum Chapel, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Raytown, MO.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Tom’s memory to the following: Rockhurst High School, the Heart of America Boy Scout Council, or St. Michael the Archangel Catholic High School.