Robert and Dazzie Gordon gave birth to James Melvin Gordon on April 26, 1957 in Evanston, Illinois. He was the middle child of the three sons born to this union.

James grew up with his family in the Evanston area and often attended church there with his family. He was educated in their public school system in districts 65 and 202 where he graduated from Evanston Township Highschool. He furthered his education at Oakton Community College in Skokie, Illinois and later attended the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where he earned his certificate in mental health and substance abuse counseling.

On August 18, 1982 he married his childhood friend, Sharlee Berry. Together, they bore and raised two sons, Marcus and Brian, of whom they were immensely proud.

James’ first career was as a draftsman at CHM2, where he designed products that were used in laboratories and in the packaging industry. His most significant career was his work as a counselor at the St. Patrick’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, where he was a friend and mentor to those with substance abuse problems. His kind nature made him a perfect for the guidance that he offered to those who sought his help there, and he was happy working with them until he became too ill to continue.

What people will remember most about James is that he was a good hearted man. He enjoyed having fun and could often be found at the backyard barbeque, laboring over preparing a delicious feast for family and friends. He also sometimes liked to go hunting for small game on his land in Mississippi, carrying on a tradition that he learned from his father when they went hunting together for deer when he was young man. He was very much a “man’s man”, who liked cars and other things considered to be masculine.

James was called home to Heaven on Friday, October 28^th, 2016 from his home in St. Louis, Missouri where he was attended by his loved ones.

James leaves behind to mourn his passing: loving wife, Sharlee (Berry) Gordon; his two beloved sons, James Marcus Gordon and Brian W. Gordon; his dear granddaughter, Shardanea Gordon; his brother, Robert Darryl Gordon; his nephews, Nicholas and Justin Gordon; a God-daughter, Justice E. Adkins; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by: his parents, Robert E. Gordon and Dazzie Lee Gordon; and one brother, Alvin E. Gordon.

James’ family would like to thank the nurses, chaplains and staff of Seasons Hospice for their loving care.

A visitation will be held at the Chapel of St. Louis Cremation, 2135 Chouteau Ave., St. Louis MO 63103 on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from noon until 3:00 pm.