Obituary of Jerry Gordon

Jerry Gordon was born in Drumheller, Alberta on February 2, 1953. Married to Diane Freadrich, on November 19, 1977, they were happily married for 36 years. His love for sports started early when he became the "bat boy" for his dad's ball team. He continued playing ball throughout his life, playing the position of pitcher much of the time. Eventually he turned to coaching and umpping kids teams as needed. In these positions he was able to mentor many youth in developing good sportsmanship as well as being competitive at the same time. His love of sports evolved into extensive volunteering when he agreed to be the "man on the ground" revitalizing the Killam baseball diamonds. Jerry had a knack for recruiting volunteers but never asked anyone to work harder than himself - and work hard he did! He also loved playing hockey, playing many years with the Mallik team and later the Old Chiefs. This passion he shared with the youth of Killam as well, through coaching and reffing as his kids went through the various age groups. Killam has an entire generation of young people who were positively impacted by Jerry. After a lifetime of team sports Jerry settled on the relaxing open fairways of golfing. He became an avid golfer, teaching many of his friends and family the game, becoming the unofficial golf pro. If there was a problem with any of our swings, we'd take it to Jerry. More often than not, after one round with him, he'd have it fixed for you. Killam is a better place to live because Jerry was not afraid to step up to the plate and take on volunteer jobs. Chairing and holding a variety of executive positions in Killam Minor ball, Minor Hockey, the Killam Rec Board, the Ag Society, the Community Hall Board, and the Killam Chamber of Commerce. He took on the Recreate Project, which gave the Killam Agriplex a new look inside, he was a leader in the Killam Legion and a lifetime member of the Killam Lions Club. Heck, he even headed the Rodeo Committee for many years even thou he'd never ridden a horse or knew anything about holding a rodeo - but he knew how to surround himself with people who knew how to get the job done! Jerry knew how to get the best out of people, motivating them to volunteer their time to work along side of him. He had a way of making people have pride in this community that he loved. After high school Jerry worked as a parts person and later followed his passion and became a much sought after automotive mechanic establishing Jerry's Auto Service in 1997, later to be co-owner of Maxim Automotive with his friend and protégé, Brad Borgel. Jerry had an uncanny ability to listen to a vehicle and know what was wrong with it. Diane always accused him of having too many girlfriends, referring to the senior ladies who so appreciated the little things that he did for them. He had a way of doing things to make everyone feel special and appreciated. Jerry was always ready and willing to be there for anyone needing a hand. Shortly after Jerry's 60th birthday, he was convinced to have his first full physical - and received a clean bill of health. Nobody saw this coming, especially him. At the beginning of March, Jerry was diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer. Less than a month after his diagnosis, we said goodbye to our beloved friend, uncle, brother, father, grandfather and husband. Jerry fell into a peaceful rest on Tuesday morning, April 1st. Jerry is survived by his wife Diane, children; Curtis (Stacey), Bruce (Annette) and Alaina (Chris), his grandchildren; Lucas, Addison, Grace, Diana and Lexi, brothers Hal (Linda) and Bob (Gloria) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Jerry is predeceased by his sister Dianne and parents Bruce and Alethea Gordon In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be given to the Canadian Diabetes Association (https://ocp.diabetes.ca/OD/csCustomerDonation.asp) or the Town of Killam for Agriplex renovations.