Gordon Eldon Miracle

Gordon Eldon Miracle, born on May 28, 1930, in Olympia, Washington, USA, died on February 23, 2026, in East Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 95. He leaves behind his close friend of recent years, Ursula Baker, as well as his sons Gary Edward Miracle, Gregory Evan Miracle, and Glenn Eric Miracle, his step-daughter Rosita Dennis, his step-grandson Eric Hall, and his grandchildren Summer and Brennan House and their children.

Dr. Miracle, known affectionately as Gordy, played several roles in life, each to the best of his ability: son, brother, husband, father, friend, teacher, scholar, patriot and citizen of the world. He attempted to improve the welfare and quality of life of his family, his circle of friends, his intellectual community, his country, and the world. He enjoyed good food and drink, travel, billiards, a broad range of music and literature, the theater, and his gardens. His marriage of nearly 49 years to the love of his life, Christa, produced three sons that made him proud. His early love of finance and security analysis guided his investments, enabling him to provide well for his family and making possible a comfortable retirement.

After faculty positions in the business schools of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Michigan, he served for 32 years as a Professor of Advertising at Michigan State University, first as associate professor and, from 1970, as professor. He chaired the Ph.D. Program in Mass Media in its first year of operation and was Chairman of the Department of Advertising from 1974 to 1980. He directed numerous M.A. theses and doctoral dissertations and advised countless students. He was a visiting professor of marketing management for one year at the North European Management Institute (Oslo, Norway). He also taught for short periods, presented papers at conferences, and acted as a consultant in more than 15 other countries. For many years, he supported the education activities of the International Advertising Association. He retired in 1999 to be able to spend more time with his wife, who was battling cancer at the time. They were able to travel and had some quality years toward the end of her life.

His university position provided the means, resources, contacts and stimulation to do research, especially in foreign cultures. University life also made it possible for him to pursue his hobby of learning several foreign languages, studying geography and history, and experiencing other cultures in depth. He attempted to share that richness of life with his family, friends, students, and colleagues. He did his best to generate new knowledge and to disseminate it through his circa 125 scholarly, scientific and professional publications, including nine books. He taught at the undergraduate level as well as directing the degree and research programs of numerous graduate students and young faculty members. He received numerous academic, professional and research awards in the USA and abroad, including a Fulbright Visiting Scholar Award at Waseda University (Tokyo, Japan), designation as a Fellow of the American Academy of Advertising, and as the recipient of the first S. Watson Dunn Award for Excellence in Advertising from the University of Illinois for his contributions to knowledge and the practice of international advertising.

Contributions in his memory may be made to the Department of Advertising, Michigan State University, designated to support teaching, scholarships and research relating to international advertising and marketing communication, especially through the Gordon and Christa Miracle Fund for International Advertising.

A funeral service will take place on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 2 PM at Gorsline Runciman East Lansing Chapel, 1730 E Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI 48823. The family will receive friends and family one hour prior at 1 PM.