Obituary of Elder Calvin Gordon

In the years that stretched between the close of World War II and the Korean War, with Dwight Eisenhower in the White House and a first-class stamp costing only 3 cents, Calvin Caruso Gordon was born in the bustling city of Washington, DC. His early years included a myriad of experiences that found him often shuttling between Washington DC and the state of Florida. In 1969, during his senior year at Anacostia High School in Washington DC, he enlisted in the US Army where he would spend the next three years witnessing the horrors of war in Vietnam. On the heels of his military service, one of the bright spots in his life was welcoming into the world his son, Monzique, in the year 1973. Approximately 20 years later that bright spot would be repeated with the arrival of his daughter, Ariel, in 1992. After his military service, Elder Gordon worked in a variety of places before settling into a 35 year career at the Veterans Hospital in Northport, NY, specializing in computers and communication. Over the years Elder Gordon has used many experiences, that could have been a liability for others, into an asset and learning experience for himself. Consequently, he helped any number of other individuals to overcome their problems and lead productive lives. In the mid-1980’s, Elder Gordon joined the Hollywood Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Andy C. “Daddy” Lewter. He rapidly became active in the church serving in the Sunday School, Boyz to Men Ministry and Deacon Board at the church where he would eventually be elevated to the position of Chairman of the Deacon Board. At this point of his life, he met the love of his life, Tonya Lewter, the two rapidly discovered common interests and compatibility that would lead to their marriage on October 1, 2011. Whenever they appeared in public people would comment on how loving and happy they were. Their marriage modeled both a partnership and support system for each other. Elder Gordon was an iconic figure in the recovery community and was a pioneer in redefining ministry in response to the virtual reality and online communities that we all are a part of. He served as Pastor of the “Call Unto Me Ministry” which meets Monday through Friday at 8:30 AM, and with Bible study on Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. He also was the founder of “The Serenity Prayer” online prayer group which met on Mondays at 1:00 PM. He also served on the Ministerial staff of Hollywood Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral under the Leadership of Bishop Andy C. Lewter and was a graduate of the New Life School of theology. More recently, Elder Gordon became an author with the release of two books, “G’s Daily Prayers and Encouragement” and “In deep but not too deep for God’s Amazing Grace”, both are available on Amazon.com. The true joy of Elder Gordon’s life was spending time with family; his wife, his children, his grandchildren, family and friends. Elder Gordon was preceded in death by his mother, Maurice Thomas Gordon, father, Aaron Gordon and brother, Walter R. Smith (Smitty). He leaves to mourn his wife, Tonya, sister, Pat McCoy, son Monzique (Wanda), daughter, Ariel (Gamliyel), his grand-children; Daniel Gordon, Darius Humphreys, Tadre Gordon, Micco Simms, Cherokee Simms-Hursey, Zara Israel, Zebaduyah Israel, Zedekiyah Israel, Gramliyel Israel and great grandson, Pierre Hursey. In addition, there are a number of relatives and friends who mourns the loss of his passing. It is said that the dead do not really die as long as they remain in the hearts and memories of those who love them. With that said, Elder Gordon will live forever.