Gordon Parker Stirling Jr.

Gordon Stirling Jr. was born on July 19, 1931, in Dayton, NM to Parents Gordon and Ollie Stirling. He grew up in Socorro, NM, where he attended high school and was a member of both the school’s honor society and football team.

In 1950, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and soon after deployed to Korea as part of the 1st Marine Division, which included service at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1966 and was deployed twice to the Vietnam War, rising to the rank of Captain. The awards won during his service in the Marine Corp included:

The Navy Commendation Medal with “V” device for valor

Korean Service with 4 stars

Vietnam Service with 3 stars

Good Conduct with 4 stars

Combat Action Ribbon

Vietnam Gallantry Cross

After 21 years of service, he retired in 1971 at Millington Naval Air Station in Millington, TN.

Following his military career, he went to work for Ralston Purina Company in their Isolate Soy Protein division as a team leader. He was transferred to a similar facility in Pryor, OK as its production manager in 1976. In 1984 he accepted a transfer to the Van Camp Sea Food division in Pago Pago, American Samoa.

In 1991, he took a position in Bangkok, Thailand within the seafood packing industry and later joined MMP as VP of Operations and Quality Assurance. In this capacity he upgraded MMP’s operations and commissioned a new facility while becoming fluent in the Thai language. He instituted numerous quality programs that eventually became the “Stirling Guarantee”, which is still the cornerstone of MMP’s quality effort today. He fully retired in 2007 at the age of 76, following highly successful careers in the United States Marine Corps and the civilian business world, illustrating his commitment to hard work and excellence. In retirement he enjoyed keeping up with the news and “solving the world’s problems” with respected friends over coffee at the local Starbucks.

Gordon Stirling is survived by his wife of 65 years Margeret Ann Stirling, of San Diego, CA, daughter Kelly Stirling of San Diego, CA, son Gordon Stirling III and wife Connie of Wentzville, MO, granddaughter Rachel and her husband Nate Patty of Creve Coeur, MO and grandson Kyle Stirling of St Peters, MO.

He was proceeded in death by is parents, Gordon and Ollie Stirling and three sisters, Dee Gerrard, Barbara Hawkes, and Belle White.

Services for Captain Gordon Stirling Jr. will be held at 11:15 am on January 6, 2026, at Miramar National Cemetery 5795 Nobel Drive, San Diego, CA 92122.