Dr. Brian Eugene Gordon

ANDREWS - Dr. Brian Eugene Gordon died peacefully in his home on Oct. 12, 2023. He was 90 years old and had just celebrated that nine decade milestone with family and friends this past summer.

He was born on July 31,1933 in Palmyra, Illinois. Dr. Gordon was one of six children and grew up on a farm in Illinois during the Great Depression. At nine months old, he developed strep pneumonia and was not expected to survive. The illness left him with a chronic lung disease that caused repeated pneumonias and numerous trips to his family doctor for miracle penicillin shots. Through these early experiences as a young patient, God placed in his heart a desire to be a doctor and bring healing to others. At age 12, his lung condition worsened leading to a partial lung resection surgery in St. Louis, Illinois. His doctors recommended a drier climate, so at age 14 he moved to Boulder, Colorado to live with an aunt.

By the time he was 16 he was living on his own, and earning a living as a dishwasher and a custodian in a girl’s dorm. Brian graduated from Boulder High School in 1951, and enrolled in pre-med at The University of Colorado at Boulder. He began medical school in Denver in 1954 and graduated from University of Colorado Medical School in June, 1958.

He worked multiple jobs throughout college and medical school. One of those jobs was at the Belle Bonfils Memorial Blood Bank as a night technician. His supervisor at the blood bank was the renowned Dr. Marion Rymer who later became his mother-inlaw. He imposed upon her to allow him to have a date with her daughter, Susan Rymer. Two years later Brian and Sue were married in Denver, Colorado on December 21, 1959.

In July of 1958 Brian began his internship at Denver General Hospital. His love of surgery took him to general surgery residency in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He served at both the VA Hospital and the Bernalillo County Indian Hospital from July 1959 to July 1963. He received his American Board of Surgery certification May 19, 1964. After much prayer, Brian and Sue and son Charley moved to Andrews in July 1963.

Their family was soon joined by daughters Sarah and Becky.

For 42 years, Brian practiced medicine in Andrews and throughout West Texas. He served at Andrews Medical and Surgical Clinic from 1963 to 1976. He then entered solo medical practice which lasted from 1976 to 2005. Brian had staff affiliations with the following hospitals: Permian General, Andrews; Memorial Hospital, Seminole; Yoakum County Hospital, Denver City; Memorial Hospital, Kermit; Ward Memorial Hospital, Monahans; and Crane Memorial Hospital, Crane. He was a member of the Andrews County Medical Society, The Texas Medical Association, The American Medical Association, and the American College of Surgeons. Brian was a tireless worker at every institution he served, and could often be seen working late into the night caring for the sick.

In addition to his busy medical practice, Dr. Gordon was an active and involved community member. He was a beloved Sunday school teacher, lay leader, and chair of numerous committees at Means Memorial Methodist Church for 60 years. He was a faithful member of the Andrews Independent School Board for nine years, and served on the Andrews Chamber of Commerce for 6 years.

Brian dedicated his life to saving lives; he was a selfless and thoughtful man who was respected by all who knew him. Beyond his professional and civic activities, Brian’s true love was his family. He always found time to be a doting father and husband. His family enjoyed many memorable trips to Colorado in both the summer and winter.

Brian is survived by his wife, Sue, of Andrew; son Charles Gordon and wife Kimberly of Tyler; daughters Sarah McCormick and husband Shawn of Fort Worth and Becky Carruth and husband Chris of Andrews. He is also survived by grandchildren Abigail Gordon Simonetti and husband Nick; Grant Gordon, Reid Gordon, Grace Gordon, Austin Redford, Andrew Redford, Deonna McCormick Andrews and husband Larry; Casey Carruth, Carson Carruth, and Courtney Carruth Herres and husband Andy. He was blessed with three precious great-grandchildren as well. Brian is also survived by one brother John Gordon and wife Wilma of Gainesville, Florida, two sisters Nancy McKaughan and husband Larry of Eugene, Oregon and Marilyn Holt of Olney, Illinois.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Florence Gordon, and his brothers Charley Gordon and Roger Gordon as well as his brother-in-law Merl Holt.

A visitation was held Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at McNett Funeral Home. A private family graveside service was planned for Sunday morning then a Celebration of Life service for Dr. Gordon was held Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Means Methodist Church with a reception following in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to be made to The Life Center or Means Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the personal care of McNett Funeral Home