David Gordon

Long-time Grosse Pointe Woods resident David Gordon died February 19 at the age of 77. He was born in Detroit Aug. 31, 1937 and raised on the city's West Side. He attended Cass Tech High School, where he studied art, and began his professional career as a draftsman. But Gordon dedicated his life to helping fellow Americans fight for economic equality. He spent the bulk of his career in organized labor, working first at the local level and later on a national scale for the United Auto Workers. He became active in UAW Local 412 while working at Chrysler Engineering. He began his involvement as shop steward, then became editor of the Local newspaper. Later he served as the Local's vice president and president. Then he left Chrysler to work for the UAW at its international headquarters, Solidarity House, starting as an international representative. He moved up to assistant director of the Technical, Office and Professional department, the position he held when he retired. During his labor career he negotiated many collective bargaining agreements and helped organize workers into new locals. One of his most notable campaigns came at Wayne State University, where he helped bring the university staff into the UAW. Gordon also supported the United Farm Workers during their national grape and lettuce boycotts. His belief in their cause spurred him to visit with UFW president Cesar Chavez in California. He was a political activist who worked on various local campaigns for Democratic Party candidates. After retiring he studied the impact of media consolidation in the United States and how corporate control of information damaged the political process. His concerns inspired him to meet and correspond with progressive activist and author Noam Chomsky. He sought explanations for why people would vote against their economic self-interest. His favorite phrase was: "Why do the chickens keep voting for Colonel Sanders?" He is survived by his wife Ann; his children Jeff Gordon (Leigh Anne), Cynthia Gray-Howey and Pamela Coutilish; his grandchildren Jason Gray, Jennifer Reid (Matthew) and Cara Gordon; his sister Nancy Mearns; and his nephews Gary and Kent Mearns. A memorial gathering will take place at a later date in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.

Funeral Home:

A. H. Peters Funeral Home of Grosse Pointe

20705 Mack Avenue

Grosse Pointe Woods, MI

US 48236