Gordon Duane Utgard

Gordon Duane Utgard was born October 26, 1947 in Fort Worth, Texas, to Louise and Duane Utgard. He grew up in Arlington, Texas, along with his sister, Kathy Utgard Howell. Gordon attended Arlington High School where he was an outstanding football player. In 1966 Gordon and his best friend, John Armstrong, accepted scholarships to play football at Baylor University. He still holds the Baylor record for the most punt returns. His passion and loyalty to Baylor football never wavered. During his sophomore year he met his future wife, Linda Stohner, and they married in January of their senior year.

Gordon graduated from Baylor with a degree in economics and later obtained a hospital administration degree from Trinity University. Gordon worked in hospital administration during his professional career. He served as a hospital administrator in several cities and also worked for Blue Cross/Blue Shield identifying hospitals for their overseas network. Gordon and Linda spent four years in Saudi Arabia where Gordon served as a hospital administrator in Tabuk and Riyadh. He later authored a book about his experiences in Saudi Arabia. His last engagement was with Memorial Hospital in Chattanooga helping with their new expansion. After retirement, Gordon and Linda made the decision to remain in Chattanooga.

The Lord blessed Linda and Gordon with two wonderful children: a son Mark (daughter-in-law Serena) and a daughter Emily (son-in-law Josh Riley). The children inherited Gordon’s love of the great outdoors and enjoyed hiking and exploring with their father. His five grandchildren were his pride and joy: Wesle Utgard, Lukas Utgard, Kailyn Riley, Brooklyn Riley, and Jocelyn Riley. Gordon treasured taking his grandkids to the zoo, aquarium, and museums.

Gordon loved meeting new people and never found a person with whom he couldn’t strike up a conversation. He cherished his family and friends and had a “repertoire of stories” to tell them. His love of travel, whether in the United States or overseas, gave him and Linda great pleasure.

Gordon loved the Lord and Brainerd Baptist Church. He loved singing and was a committed member of the choir. He felt singing in the choir was an opportunity to serve the Lord with the talent God had given him. His Sunday School class at Brainerd along with his friends and family became prayer warriors for him as he fought colon cancer.

After a courageous battle with cancer, with Linda at his side, Gordon breathed his last earthly breath and was greeted by his Lord and Savior on December 4, 2021.