Gilbert Joe Gordon, 89, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, businessman, contractor, meticulous designer, and Studebaker enthusiast passed away on the afternoon of Wednesday, July 11, 2024, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, surrounded by his loving family.
Joe was born on October 25th, 1934, in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Gilbert Gordon and Pauline (Hoyt) Gordon. His early life included living on a sheep ranch in the dustbowl of eastern Colorado and in the goldfields of Cripple Creek and Victor, Colorado. As a young boy, Joe and his family moved to a farm near Dexter, Kansas. Later they moved to their family farm near Wilmot, where Joe grew up. Joe graduated from Winfield High School in 1953 and married Florence Floyd on September 19, 1954.
Joe and Flo lived in Winfield, Kansas where they raised their three children, Steven, Susan, and Stewart.  They were married for 69 years and would have celebrated 70 years of marriage this coming September.
As a young man, Joe founded Gordon Construction Company with his father Gilbert in 1954.  The business expanded and flourished with Joe becoming known across the nation for his fine custom cabinetry.  His thorough and precise work led to a reputation for fine craftsmanship. The business is still in operation today with his son, Steven Gordon at the helm.
In his free time, Joe was known for his mischievous antics and sense of adventure.  Joe and Flo traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada with their lifelong friends Warren and Ella Dartez.  Trips to Hawaii and all-over North America, were no match for the foursome's infamous trip down a flooded Mississippi river in a small speedboat (with three small children in tow).
Among Joe's many hobbies, he is probably best known for his seven-car garage, paint room, and Studebaker restoration projects.  His most prized projects were the 1937 and 1946 Studebakers – scoring a perfect score with the 1937 in the 2013 Studebaker meet in Colorado Springs (one of only two perfect scores in the past several years).  His current project was the restoration of a 1909 EMF with his good friend Ron Jenkins.
Joe's life was filled with love, adventure, and a little bit of orneriness.  He was truly loved and will be missed by many.
His family includes his loving wife, Florence Gordon of Winfield; his sons Steven Gordon and wife, Marcia of Wichita; and Stewart Gordon of Wichita; his daughter Susan Rinehart and husband, Jay of South Haven; his grandchildren, Elizabeth Rinehart and husband, Tony; Matthew Rinehart and wife, Kylie; Molly Ralston and husband, Rob; Sally Hardy and husband, Joel; Kari Cates; Maci Kane; and Luci Kane; his great grandchildren, Bowen, William, Benjamin, Gloria, JD, Fallon, Felice, Fiona, Crew, Annie, Bella, and Ellie; and his sisters-in-law, Wilma Anglemyer and husband, Arlan; and Hilma Webber and husband, Darrell.
In addition to his parents, Joe was preceded in death by his sisters, Jean Flower and Rhea Sloan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Friday, July 19, 2024, at Miles Funeral Service. Interment will follow at Highland Cemetery.
Memorials have been established in Joe's name for Winfield Arts and Humanities or for St. Jude's Children Research Hospital.

Funeral services will be livestreamed and may be viewed at the following link: