Introduction
This 137th entry in the Family topic section is a tribute to my late father-in-law, Jimmie Gordon (3/24/1938-1/23/2026, age 87). His middle name was Eugene, but he did not prefer it. I called him Paw Gordon.
Saddened by his passing, we rejoice that Paw Gordon has transitioned from temporal to everlasting life. We will miss him, but we will see him again. As Christians, that is our certain hope in Christ.
My Father-In-Law's Transition
The article from 1/9/2026 (about my 205th House Mountain hike on the previous Sunday afternoon) included the news about Paw Gordon's hospitalization from Monday, 12/22/2025, to Sunday, 12/28/2025. Once home, he was weak but getting along fairly well for twelve days. Looking back as a family, however, we realized that my father-in-law's slow transition from temporal to everlasting life had started before Thanksgiving. Back then, Paw Gordon started sleeping more during the day and not wanting much to eat or drink. The new cold virus—which he contracted during his time at home between the two hospitalizations—was not a contributing cause of his passing.
Due to his increasingly languished condition, on Saturday, 1/10/2026, an ambulance returned my father-in-law to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Over the course of thirteen days, my wife, her two sisters, our niece, and I took turns sitting with Paw Gordon. The medical doctors and staff provided compassionate and excellent care. They did all that they could to help my father-in-law recover and regain his strength.
Temporal life, however, must end, so the soul can transition to everlasting life. With eight family members surrounding his bedside, my father-in-law made the transition on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 6:12 PM. Waves of emotion, from intense sorrow to joyful happiness, flowed among us. Paw Gordon, a mild-mannered and godly man, had gone heavenward to be with the Lord.
The Visitation and Funeral Service
Paw Gordon's complete obituary is at Rose Mortuary: Obituary: Jimmie E. Gordon (March 24, 1938–January 23, 2026). The next Monday, family members made the arrangements at the funeral home. Three days later, on Thursday, my father-in-law's body was ready for the family to view. Sorrow mixed with joy as we contemplated that he was no longer suffering but was experiencing everlasting bliss.
The visitation was from 5 to 7 PM, and the funeral service took place at 7 PM, both at Rose Mortuary on Friday, January 30, 2026. Light snow started falling in the late afternoon and became heavy throughout the evening. During the visitation, snow began to collect on grassy areas and vehicles. Family members and friends of the family found comfort in each other. The photographic display of my father-in-law from childhood to old age, including beloved family members, brought back memories and prompted conversations.
I was honored to conduct the eulogy for my father-in-law. My remarks focused on Paw Gordon's faith, devotion to family, and service in the military and church. Paw Gordon's Christian faith brought saving faith to those around him who listened. The faith of his Christian wife (Phyllis Ann House Gordon, 4/10/1941-4/30/2017), daughters, and granddaughter evidences the influence of his faith.
Further, my father-in-law was a devoted family man, providing both financial and spiritual support and guidance. Paw Gordon was a source of calm stability for his family during difficult and pleasant times.
Finally, my father-in-law served his country, his family, and God. His service in the United States Air Force was honored by the flag that draped his casket. As a husband and father, Paw Gordon led his family in Christ spiritually and was a good provider for their physical needs. Most importantly, Paw Gordon served God. As one of two shepherds, he shepherded the flock in Etowah for many years. When my wife and I served as Christian missionaries in Russia, the Etowah Church of Christ was one of our financial supporters. In that sense, brother Gordon carried the gospel to Russia. God, through our evangelism, brought several, including atheists, to Christ.
During the eulogy, I also read the two-page tribute that my wife wrote to honor her father. After the service, she placed her neatly folded tribute in the breast pocket of her father's burial suit.
As a point of levity just before I ended the eulogy in prayer, the cell phone of my wife's youngest sister started ringing! Embarrassed, she quickly silenced it. I said, “Now, that was funny! Paw Gordon would be laughing now if he were here. Thank you for providing a touch of humor.” It was a fitting moment of humor, bringing laughter to the solemn occasion.
The Graveside Service
The interment service at Greenwood Cemetery had been scheduled for the next day, Saturday, at 11 AM. The snow, however, that began to fall heavily on Friday evening continued overnight and throughout the day on Saturday. Back roads were unsafe for travel. In the afternoon, I measured six inches of snow with it still falling. The morning low of 18 degrees Fahrenheit climbed only to 22 degrees for the afternoon high.
The practical decision was to postpone the graveside until Monday, 2/2/2026, at 1 PM, when the back roads would be safer to drive. As an aside, the groundhog did not see his shadow on that cloudy day.
On Monday, the early morning low of six degrees Fahrenheit warmed under a cloudy sky to a balmy 34 degrees by the late afternoon. At the graveside, the temperature was around 28 degrees with a brisk northern wind blowing.
Immediate family members arrived early, so the interment service started at about ten minutes to 1 PM. I was honored to deliver the graveside eulogy. To begin as a humorous point, I asked my youngest sister-in-law if her cell phone was off. With family laughing, she said, “It is in the car.”
Being brief due to the temperature and cold breeze, I read comforting thoughts from scripture with concise comments. Passages that I selected were John 14:1-6, I Corinthians chapter 15 (the great resurrection chapter) verses 50-58 with a reference to 2 Corinthians 5:8, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
Due to the weather, the Tri-County Veterans Honor Guard was unable to attend to present military honors at the graveside. Without disappointment, the family understood, and we expressed thankfulness to the aged veterans who serve in the honor guard.
Conclusion
Several years ago, my father-in-law wanted to build a wooden bridge with rails to span the narrow creek behind the house. He wanted to be able to drive his riding mower across the bridge to mow on the other side of the creek. Over the course of days, Paw Gordon and I built the bridge. For me, the bridge, still standing and in good condition, serves as a memory of Paw crossing the spiritual bridge from temporal to eternal life.
During the funeral service, closing thoughts came from 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV). Quoting Isaiah 64:4, the apostle Paul wrote:
“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
Everlasting life in heaven is what we in the temporal realm have not yet seen or heard. Mentally, we cannot quite fathom it. Everlasting joy, however, is what God has prepared for those who love him. Brother Gordon loved God. In spirit, he now sees and hears what we will one day if we join him.
The ultimate purpose of life is to love and serve God as a Christian and to be with Jesus, along with all our saved loved ones who have already crossed the bridge and reached the everlasting other side. My father-in-law has crossed over. Are you ready to cross over?
If you are not ready, please reach out to me using the Contact Form on the right side of this website's main page. I am a former poor beggar who found the Bread of Life. I would like to share that Bread with you.
