Gene F. Gordon
April 4, 1947 – December 31, 2021
Preceded in death by parents, Caroline Salmon Gordon and Carroll Gordon. Survived by wife of 54 years, Rita (Wolff) Gordon; daughters, Chrysa Gordon and Jackie Wozniak (Kyle); son, Sean Gordon (Lynn); grandchildren: Kyle, Lucas, and Grace Wozniak; brother, Denny Gordon; niece, Kellie Berry; sister, Susie Cooper (Norm); nephew, Brian Cooper (Leslie); niece, Lacey Rapp (Alex); sisters-in-law: Nancy Wolff, Mona Halpenny (Pat), and Chris Mourer (Mike); many aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
VISITATION: Friday, January 14th from 5pm to 7pm followed by VIGIL SERVICE at 7pm, all at West Center Chapel. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL: Saturday, January 15th at 12:30pm at Holy Name Catholic Church, 2901 Fontenelle Blvd. Memorials are suggested to Holy Name “Restore the Glory” and Nebraska Adaptive Sports (ENWAA).
To view live broadcasts of the Vigil Service and Mass, please go to www.heafeyheafey.com and click the “View Live Cast” button on the home page.
Gene was born April 4, 1947 in Wayne, Nebraska, the first child of Caroline and Carroll Gordon. They lived in Mobile, Alabama until 1955 then moved to Wakefield, Nebraska. He graduated in 1965 from Boys Town High School. He was on the tennis team and wrestled. He appeared in several plays and ran for Mayor in 1964. He was a Councilman in student government and Commissioner of Cottage 16 in 1965. Gene attended Wayne State College for one year, then worked for the family well drilling company and at his cousin Gary’s garage in Wakefield. Rita and Gene met in early 1964 and were married at Holy Name in 1967. They have three children: Chrysa, Jackie, and Sean, and three grandchildren: Kyle, Lucas, and Grace Wozniak. Gene was devoted to them all and doted on them whenever he could.
Gene worked for a well drilling firm in Omaha and worked on the power plant in Ft. Calhoun. He then worked building new homes for Kopecky Construction before becoming self-employed as a 4th generation carpenter. He also volunteered on Holy Name Housing’s first renovated homes. He remodeled several homes on the Ave and LaHood’s school bus turned camper. He enjoyed activities from 45th Ave block and margarita parties, to duck hunting, lunches, and coffee with Don Hansen, Callahans, Sobetskis, Holmes, LaHoods, Fitzgeralds, Edsalls, and his brother-in-law, Robert. He was fascinated with cars from his first, a ‘57 Chevy to his dream Corvette and later the Suburbans. He spent a great deal of time working on his Suburbans and other cars at Don’s shop. Gene was one of the founders of the Holy Name fish fry where he volunteered for many years. He also volunteered for his son, Sean’s wheelchair basketball team. He was a member of the Holy Name Men’s Club and the Czech Civic Alliance. He loved going to the Offutt Air Show. He travelled quite a bit, whether driving to Virginia Beach, Michigan, Florida, Kansas, Scottsbluff, and Sioux Falls among many other destinations or visiting England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany.
After his stroke one of the nurses at the hospital said, “he must have been very good to you.” He was.
3 Comments
I have know Gene since the early 1960’s. I am so very sorry for your loss. Gene was very taleted in so many ways. He will be missed as a friend.
Gene was a mainstay at Holy Name, helping with every event, including the famous Frydays of Lent fish fry. He was a selfless helper of all neighbors, who did a lot of carpentry work for them while setting aside tasks like painting his own house (a task neighbors performed, via a painting party, eventually). Sad to hear of Gene’s passing.
I met Gene around 1975 he was – a friend – a-leader – a teacher – great husband – Father – a one of kind all around person. I work with Gene on many projects for.me. He could find a way find a better way to over come obstacles.> any thing he was involved with… He was aways trying to do something a better way..
He will be missed and he was taking by Our Lord to soon. One funny thingI I would like to share with you. He liked to started his day with a Gallon of Coffee and Two Dozen of Donuts Holes. He had them by all clean up by end of the day..
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