Gordon Spencer Churchill

Gordon Spencer Churchill September 29, 1938 - January 3, 2022 San Diego Gordon S. Churchill died on January 3, 2022, peacefully in the presence of his wife and children. He was born to Charles N. Churchill and Harriett Churchill (Wolfe) in Phoenix, Arizona. He received an undergraduate degree in Business Management from The University of Arizona in 1960, and later received a Law Degree from California Western University in 1967.

In 1961 Gordon's Arizona National Guard Unit was activated, sending him to West Germany where he served during the construction of the Berlin Wall. He returned to Phoenix in 1962 and married the love of his life, Judy Lassen Churchill, in 1963. The couple moved to California with all of their worldly possessions in the Volkswagen that Gordon brought back from Germany.

The couple made their home in the Mission Hills community of San Diego for 24 years while their three beloved children (Kristen, Garett, and Emily) were young, then moved to the Mission Beach community of San Diego.

Gordon had a decades-long law practice specializing in Insurance Bad Faith Law. In addition to achieving positive results for clients in trial and settlements, Gordon is celebrated for his success as appellate counsel where he successfully defended verdicts that have had a lasting, beneficial impact on consumers, including Brandt v. Superior Court, which allowed recovery of attorney fees in cases where insurers deny claims in bad faith.

Gordon served as President of the Consumer Attorneys of San Diego in 1975 and was named "Trial Lawyer of the Year" by that organization in the same year. He also served as a member of the Board of Governors of Consumer Attorneys of California. He was invited to join the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) in 1989 and served on the San Diego County Bar Association Board as member and Vice President. After retiring early due to health concerns, Gordon volunteered as a Superior Court judge pro tem and as a court-appointed advocate for foster children with Voices for Children. He also enjoyed helping young people with the college and professional program application process.

Over the years, Gordon enjoyed skiing, and scuba diving with his family. He was a private pilot for over 30 years. He and Judy (also a pilot) enjoyed flying their P210 Cessna all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. As a pilot, Gordon flew supplies to Mexico for the Mercy Outreach Surgical Team supporting doctors who volunteer medical treatment for disabled and disfigured children in Mexico.

Gordon is survived by his wife, Judy, his children, Kristen, Garett, and Emily, his daughter-in-law, Holly, and son-in-law Matthew, his brother, Clint, and grandchildren, Madeline, Meredith, Mason, Julian, Marissa, Isabel, and Delaney. He was predeceased by his beloved son in law, Raul Cadena. The family will have a small, private, celebration of life due to the continuing pandemic. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Legal Aid Society of San Diego, Inc., 110 South Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92114.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared for the Churchill family at: www.merkleymitchell.com and:

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