Daniel P. Gordon

He was born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Houston, Texas on the 13th of August 1941 to Aron and Anaruth Gordon. He graduated from St. Johns School in 1959 and from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1963.

Upon finishing college, he rejoined the family business and spent the next few years in various parts of the United States running various divisions of the company. Most important of those jobs was in Kansas City where he met his wife of 60 years, Annette Basgall of Emporia, Kansas. Eventually, he and Annette moved back to Houston where he went on to become the President and CEO of Gordon Jewelry Corporation, the first retail jewelry chain listed on the NYSE. After the sale of the company in 1989, he spent the next three decades developing commercial real estate around the greater Houston area.

During his life he served tirelessly on various boards including Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Jewish Community Foundation, Seven Acres and Texas Commerce Bank/Chase Bank of Houston. His commitment to the above causes was highlighted by his recognition in 1981 by The American Jewish Committee in New York for his leadership in the effort to overcome prejudice and bigotry and for devotion to the cause of understanding among all people based on the universal recognition of the rights of the individual and the value of human dignity.

Over the past 25 years, he enjoyed swimming, golf, tennis and traveling with his wife and family and being a grandparent where he never missed an opportunity to attend a sporting event or dance recital.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Annette, son Kevin and Amy Gordon and their children Caroline and Wyatt, son Jason and Jennifer Gordon and their children William and Maribelle, daughter Marcy and Mark Young and their children John and Virginia as well as his brother Thomas Gordon and his family and James Gordon and his family.

A memorial service and celebration of his life is to be conducted at 1:30 P.M. in the afternoon Thursday, the 5th of February, in the Gordon Chapel of Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 North Braeswood Boulevard in Houston. Immediately following, all are invited to join the family during a reception at Congregation Beth Israel.

Prior to the service, the immediate family will gather for a private interment at Beth Israel Memorial Garden Cemetery.

Those honored to serve as Honorary pallbearers will be William Gordon, John Young, Wyatt Gordon, Thomas Gordon, and James Gordon.

In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those desiring, memorial contributions may be directed to Houston Jewish Community Foundation Community Endowment Fund, 5603 S. Braeswood, Houston TX 77096, to Congregation Beth Israel, or to a charity of your choice.

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