Jerry Gorden

Jerry L. Gorden, son of Earl and Fannie June (Post) Gorden was born in Spencer, Iowa, August 31, 1937. At the age of ten, his father was killed in a farming accident and the family moved to Superior. When his mother remarried, they returned to Spencer.
In 1954, Jerry joined the Iowa National Guard. In 1955, he graduated from Spencer High School. In 1957, he graduated from Graceland College and in 1958 he was married to Nancy D. Doty, Miami, OK. Then thirty years later, he received his BA degree from Western Illinois University.
Further education came with the Guard. He completed Officer’s Candidate School, Ft. Sill, OK and later was an honor graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Ft. Leavenworth, KS.
Jerry served in a variety of command and staff positions. Highlights were within the 194th Field Artillery and Military Police. Was also a state training officer, director of HRO, Chief of Staff during the return of soldiers from Desert Storm. Additionally he was the Task Force Commander and Staff Planner for state emergencies that included civil disturbances, tornadoes and flood recovery. He was the Traffic Control Planner for the visit of Pope John Paul in 1979 and the State Emergency Operations Military Commander for the flood of 1993 in Des Moines, Iowa
Decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Humanitarian Service Medal, Iowa Distinguished Service Medal, National Guard Bureau Distinguished Service and various other medals and ribbons.
Jerry had federal recognition as the rank of Colonel and was promoted to Brigadier General (Iowa) upon his retirement in 1993, after 39 years of total service. Completing his military responsibility he moved into the ICN and later became the director of the Iowa Gold Star Museum, located at Camp Dodge, serving for six years. At the time of his death, he was the national secretary-treasurer for the 34th Infantry Division Association.
Jerry was an ordained minister of the Community of Christ serving in a number of responsibilities within the twenty-plus congregation of Central Iowa as well as a member of the International World Church Peace/Justice Committee, Independence, Missouri. To the Guard member, this was his opportunity not only to worship, but to serve in the sacraments which included marriage.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of Johnston. Son: Steven K. (Jeannie) of Canesville, MO; Daughter: Sherry B. (Darren) Long, Olathe, KS. His daughter, Shelly Ann preceded him in death. Grandchildren are Lindsay Gray, David W. Gorden, and Nathan A. Long. Step grandchildren include, Robert, Tenya and Tasha Reed and nine step-great-grandchildren. Brothers: Tom (Cholly), of Boston, MA and David L. of Washington D.C. Diane Mayfield, Tennessee, IL and Darlene Wren, Joplin, Mo are his sister-in-laws. Uncle: Danny Joe Gorden, Independence, MO and Aunt: Lilabelle Carlisle, of Cameron, MO
Visitation will be held at Hamilton’s, near Highland Memory Gardens, 121 N.W. 60th Avenue, Des Moines, Friday evening from 5-8 p.m. with the family. His memorial service with Minister Scott Murphy will be held at the Joint Forces Headquarters, in Johnston at 10:00AM Saturday, February 10, 2007.Cremation will follow the services with private burial at the Ridgedale Cemetery in Johnston.
Memorials may be directed to the Gold Star Museum, Camp Dodge, or as individual choices.

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