Thado Gordon, 70, of Jackson, died there Oct. 4, 2007, at University of Mississippi Medical Center.
Visitation is 1 to 7 p.m. Friday at Lakeover Funeral Home in Jackson. Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at New Hope Baptist Church in Jackson, with Dr. Jerry Young officiating. Burial will be in Natchez Trace Cemetery.
Mr. Gordon was born Feb. 12, 1937, in Magnolia, to Oscar and Sara Gordon.
He was a school teacher. At an early age, he joined Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church. After moving to Jackson, he joined White Oak M.B. Church under the leadership of the Rev. Gabriel King. He later joined New Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Jerry Young, where he worshiped faithfully until his death.
Growing up in Pike County, he attended Gordon Ridge Elementary School and Eva Gordon High School in Magnolia. He earned a bachelor of science degree in education from Jackson State University, a master of science in education from Mississippi State University and an Ed.S. degree from Jackson State University.
He began his career as an educator at Eva Gordon High School, where he taught history. After moving to Jackson, he continued his career in education with the Jackson Public School District, serving as a history teacher and coach at Lanier High School. He later moved to Brinkley Middle School and then to Callaway High School as a history teacher, drivers education instructor, girls basketball coach, football and track coach.
He retired in 1995 after more than 30 years with the Mississippi public school system.
A well-known and loved coach, he was a member of the Mississippi High School Athletic Association. He also was a member of the Valley North Community Association.
Mr. Gordon, or “Coach,” had two passions — sports and gardening. In his leisure time, if he wasn’t being intrigued by a sporting event, basketball, football or golf, he could be found planting his vegetables or meticulously manicuring his yard. He could always give advice on either.
On June 28, 1960, he married Fannie Holmes, and they had two children.
Mr. Gordon was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Ellis Ray, Hurbert and Ike Gordon; and three sisters, Wilma Carter, Patricia Rucker and Dorothy Daniels.
Survivors include one son, Juan Orlando Gordon and his wife Doris of Atlanta; one daughter, Tiffany Melita Cox and her husband Joe of Ridgeland; one sister, Katherine Tate of Magnolia; one brother, Lee Edward Gordon and his wife Peggy of Chicago; an aunt, A.B. Carter of Magnolia; four grandchildren, Juan Orlando Gordon Jr., Chelsea A. Gordon, Madison Kailey Cox and Chase Braxton Cox (expected arrival Nov. 1, 2007); and many other nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
