It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that we share the passing of our father, Gordon Earl Cordes. Gordon was born, the third child of Herman and Beulah Cordes, in Thomas, Oklahoma on February 25, 1936.  He exchanged his earthly shell for his glorified heavenly body on January 11, 2025, at his home after an extended illness.

Gordon graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1958 (the second class after it changed its name from Oklahoma A&M College) with a bachelor's degree in Geology. He went to work for the Oklahoma State Department of Transportation moving his wife and young daughter to Yukon, OK. While there, they added two more daughters and finally a son to their growing family.  He was especially happy when his #2 daughter was born on his birthday.

In 1964, Gordon took a job with the Louisville District of the US Army Corps of Engineers and moved his young family to Louisville, KY for 18 months. In 1966 they moved again, this time to Florissant MO where he worked for the St. Louis District of the Corp. While there, he took classes to qualify him as an Engineering Geologist.  After another 8 years, they moved to Vicksburg MS where Gordon began working for the Lower Mississippi Valley Division until his retirement in 2004.  Even after 40 years with the Corps of Engineers, Gordon took on another assignment at the Grand Gulf Nuclear Plant in Port Gibson as a safety engineer with Reynolds Company.  Gordon was a diligent worker all his life, from growing and cultivating his own garden as a boy, driving the school bus in his high school years, working and putting himself through college to his career with the US Government. He was able to travel the US and around the world teaching a concrete class for the Corp. He had been to Alaska, Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait on various job assignments. While in Kuwait after Desert Storm, Gordon volunteered to help the Kuwaiti government with the reconstruction of Hwy 1 – the Highway of Death. On one of his daily missions, he was captured and taken as a prisoner of war by the Iraqis. He was held in a prison in Bagdad for 7 days before the International Red Cross was able to negotiate his release.

Through it all, he never lost faith that his God would be with him and protect him.

Gordon was recognized with various awards and accolades throughout his career for his dedication and excellence in his jobs.

As much as he excelled in the workforce, he was also that way in his personal life. A devoted father and husband, he was also faithful to his Lord. He served as Chair of the Deacons at every church he attended.  He was the Chair of the Building Committee at Northside Baptist in Florissant MO and at Woodlawn Baptist in Vicksburg, MS. He served on the finance committee and was a prayer leader and trusted layperson in his churches.

Gordon instilled in his four children that same dedication for hard work and excellence, as is evident in each in their respective careers.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Beulah Cordes, the love of his life, his wife of almost 69 years, Mary Phyllis Middleton Cordes, his siblings, Joe Dick Cordes, Bertha Alice Ratke (Otto), grandchildren, Joseph Samuel Lackey, Katherine Lyn Harper and great granddaughter, Kelsey Danielle Bates.  He is survived by his four children, Robin (Randy) Lackey, Rhonda (Gregg) Harper, Darla (Donny) McVan, Dale (Lyn) Cordes. His grandchildren, Jason (Katy, deceased) Lackey, Shannon (Michael) Bates, Justin (Brittany) Harper, Jacob Harper, Jill McVan, Logan McVan, Grace Claire (Taylor) McCrary, Gray (Jourdan) Cordes, and Sister-in-law, Gerrie Cordes. He is also survived by 11 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson as well as numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

We would like to especially thank Gordon's caregivers, Crystal, Nneka, Stephanie, Regina, Dorothy, Nechelle and Tina for their love and devotion to our dad.

Gordon's grandsons, Jason, Justin, Judah, Logan, Gray and great grandsons, Preston, Matthew,  Caleb and Noah  will serve as pallbearers.

Services will be held at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Ave, Vicksburg, MS on Thursday, January 16, 2025.  Visitation will be from 11:00-1:00, with a service at 1:00.  The graveside burial will be at New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Crystal Springs, at 3:00.