Gordon Gillette

aligncenterGordon Edgar Gillette passed away on Monday, May 25, 2009, at Odessa Regional Medical Center.

He was born August 4, 1931, in Athens, Ohio, to Phil G. Gillette and Barbara Stinson Gillette. He graduated from South Williamsport High School in South Williamsport, PA, and earned a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Lycoming College. Following service as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army in Korea, he received an M.S. in group work from George Williams College. He worked for YMCAs in Warren, PA; Chicago, IL; and St. Louis, MO. He taught sociology at Muskingum College in Ohio and Springfield College in Massachusetts before arriving in 1972 at Odessa College where he taught for 21 years.

Gordon joined Tri-Service Lions Club in 1973 and served three terms as president as well as zone chairman and District Governor of District 2-T3. He was awarded an International Presidential Leadership medal, and in 2002 he was one of ten recipients in the world of the International Understanding and Cooperation Award. He was a Melvin Jones Fellow, a Jack Wiech Fellow, a Texas Lions Foundation Fellow, and held the Silver Cane Award from the Lions World Services for the Blind. He was also a life member of the Texas Lions Camp. He served on the boards of the Permian Basin Planned Parenthood, the Samaritan Counseling Center, and the Permian Playhouse. He sang bass in the Asbury United Methodist Church choir. He married Margie LeCureux Rodgers on December 30, 2006, in Odessa.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Barbara Gillette, and by his previous wife, Dr. Elizabeth Martin Gillette.

Survivors include his wife, Margie Gillette, daughter Rene Witherspoon and husband Terry of Wolfforth, TX; step-daughters Sharon Merriman and husband Don of Midland, TX; Sandra Polk of Odessa; and step-sons Glenn Martin and wife Wendy of Boerne, TX; and David Hale and wife Anne-Ccile of Ellicott City, MD; sisters Joan Rokus of Leesburg, VA; Marilyn Knauer and husband David of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; and Carol Hughes and husband Charles of Maitland, FL. In addition, he is survived by grandchildren Joshua Witherspoon, Jacob Witherspoon, and Kristen Witherspoon; step-grandchildren Melinda Hollander, Leanne Reynes, Darryl Strohl, Kelly Roush, Kevin Martin, Emi Martin, Jonathan Martin, Peter Martin, Hannah Hale, Sophia Hale, and Madeleine Hale; and special Shih Tzu, Emily.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, May 27, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home in Odessa. Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2009, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 4001 E. University, Odessa, TX, with Rev. Rick Enns officiating.

The family requests that donations be made to the Texas Lions Camp, P. O. Box 290247, Kerrville, TX 78029.
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Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
5PM7PM

Service

Funeral

Asbury United Methodist
4001 E University
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, May 28, 2009
2:00PM

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

Texas Lions Camp
P. O. Box 290247
Kerrville, TX  78029