Gordon Smith

Gordon L. Smith, 85, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, died April 21, 2010, at Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Gordon was a man of many talents. Most commonly known as “Gordon” by his Sunday School class, the class remained his passion and personal mission in life since 1952, and continued until March, 2010, when he became ill. Gordon L. Smith ended his earthly journey when he passed away on Wednesday morning and he now begins the ultimate journey by entering heaven and spending eternity with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Gordon is leaving behind a sizable Sunday School following. His Bible class reached a record number of nearly 100 people each Sunday back in the 1960’s, consisting of young married couples and singles. Many people over the years enjoyed Gordon’s in-depth explanation of the Bible so much that today the class still numbers in into the 50’s. Most of those people had begun their study of the Bible with him decades earlier. Gordon’s lessons were intertwined with history of the region, stories of his travels to the Holy Land, and then how the application of “The Word” fit into our personal lives today. His ability to relate to people caused many to consider Gordon to be a self accomplished scholar even though he had not received formal education from a seminary. In 1990, Gordon and his wife Gene, who have been married for over 63 years, retired from their small family business. They owned and operated a local landmark hotel for 43 and half years. Gordon established a reputation in the community for fairness, good judgment and was also an advocate for small business owner/operators in the early years when Siloam Springs was beginning to grow and expand. Gordon is survived by his wife Gene, and son Rex who lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was affectionately known and loved as “Mr. Gordon” by his grandchildren Sarah (21) who serves in the U.S. Army, Joshua (19) and Isaiah (18) as well as their mother Cheryl who also lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, April 24, 2010, at First Baptist Church, Siloam Springs, Arkansas, with Rev. Clifford Palmer officiating. Burial will follow at Benton County Memorial Park, Rogers, Arkansas. Visitation will be 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 23, 2010, at Wasson Funeral Home, Siloam Springs, Arkansas. Memorial contributions can be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O Box 356, Siloam Springs, Arkansas 72761, or Grandkids Scholarship Fund.

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Gordon Smith

March 30, 1925 - April 21, 2010