[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 11 (Thursday, January 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E60]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. REX GORDON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the life 
of one of Mississippi's most devoted citizens and public servants, Mr. 
Rex Gordon, Jr. Mr. Gordon passed away on Saturday, December 2, 2017. 
William Faulkner, Rex Gordon's favorite author said, ``To understand 
the world, you must first understand a place like Mississippi.'' Rex 
Gordon loved our great state and embraced everyone he encountered. His 
passion was to help others and through every role that he assumed, Mr. 
Gordon accomplished that task. As a public figure, Mr. Gordon led by 
example--always placing God, family, and community above himself.
  Mr. Gordon met his wife, Patricia, while a student at Pascagoula High 
School. They were married in 1970. While Mrs. Gordon attended 
Mississippi University for Women, Mr. Gordon pursued his college 
education including one year at the University of Alabama where he was 
a walk-on football player under Coach Bear Bryant. He later attended 
the Mississippi College School of Law where he earned his law degree.
  The Gordons moved to my hometown of Union, Mississippi in 1984. It 
would not be long before Mr. Gordon became a ``fixture in the 
community'' as Mrs. Gordon likes to say. He opened a private law 
practice in Union, and Mr. Gordon's life would soon become a public one 
in service to his fellow man. He served as Newton County Attorney and 
Union Municipal Judge for 30 years. He also served 20 years as attorney 
for the Union Public School District. Mrs. Gordon said her husband was 
known for his devotion to public service, but what many may not have 
known was that he never wanted to take credit for his good deeds. He 
was a humble man.
  Mr. Gordon also devoted his time to his favorite sport--football. 
When he was not cheering for the Ole Miss Rebels, you could find him on 
a Friday night in the press box at the Union High School football 
stadium. He was known as the ``Voice of the Yellow Jackets.'' You could 
say he was one of my high school's biggest fans. Mr. Gordon showed his 
team spirit every chance he got.
  Mr. Gordon was an inquisitive man who was always eager for good 
conversation and a cup of coffee. He was the founder and charter member 
of Ward's Morning Coffee Club. The men Mr. Gordon fellowshipped with 
each morning over coffee at Ward's Fastfood, served as the honorary 
pallbearers at his funeral. Mr. Gordon was also an active member at 
Union Methodist Church and known for his desire to cheer people up.
  Most importantly, Mr. Gordon was a man of family and faith. He and 
his wife, Patricia, were married for 47 years. Together, they have two 
children and five grandchildren. Both daughters live close to home 
which the Gordons consider a true blessing.
  Mr. Gordon will always be remembered for his many accomplishments, 
but perhaps more for his determination to rise above all obstacles in 
the pursuit of happiness. Invictus, Mr. Gordon' s favorite poem, says 
it best. Therefore, I include in the Record the following excerpt:

     Out of the night that covers me,
     Black as the pit from pole to pole,
     I thank whatever gods may be
     For my unconquerable soul

     It matters not how straight the gait,
     How changed with punishments the scroll,
     I am the master of my fate:
     I am the captain of my soul.

  My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Gordon's family and friends.

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