Coach Russell Gordon, his father Charles and son Russell Jr.Carlson By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor Life can be as brutal as it is beautiful at times. La Salle football coach Russell Gordon was just wrapping up the Lancers’ team banquet last week after a record season. The Lancers won their first two league games (this […]
Coach Russell Gordon, his father Charles and son Russell Jr.Carlson
By BRIAN REED-BAIOTTO, Sports Editor
Life can be as brutal as it is beautiful at times.
La Salle football coach Russell Gordon was just wrapping up the Lancers’ team banquet last week after a record season.
The Lancers won their first two league games (this season) since joining the very tough Angelus League three years ago, and also claimed its first playoff victory in 9 seasons after beating Mayfair.
He got a call, though, about an hour after the banquet, that his father, Charles William Gordon had suffered a massive heart attack.
Russell’s phone battery had charged off, so his family had to reach him on his quarterback coach’s cell phone.
Gordon sped to his parents home, and unfortunately, Charles Gordon had just passed away at the age of 68.
Russell hugged his father and gave him a kiss.
Charles Gordon leaves behind his beloved wife Kimberly of 47 years, and five children, aged 27-47.
“Pops” as he’s affectionately known, will be memorialized Saturday at a family service.”
Coach Gordon is choosing to celebrate the great life and impact Charles had on his business, his country, his friends, the youth and Mr, Gordon’s family, rather than let the sad news of his passing outweigh all the lifelong relationships and lessons his father taught so many.
Charles Gordon served two tours in Vietnam before becoming a small business owner and coach.
Mr. Gordon coached soccer, softball and football at the youth, high school and college level.
His passion trickled down as three of his five children are coaches to this day.
Russell Gordon, 41, is the head football coach at La Salle, Charles Jr., 47, is the soccer coach at Quartz Hill High School/Antelope Valley College and Leanea, 44, coaches soccer at Joe Walker Middle School.
Their father taught them work ethic, the importance of giving back and selflessness.
Perhaps the more profound lesson Mr. Gordon passed along to his children and those he coaches and mentored was that life victories were much more important than those on a field.
On Thanksgivings past, Mr. Gordon volunteered to feed and clothe veterans and those in need. He was also known to donate clothes to shelters throughout his life.
“My father had a tremendous impact on my life,” Russell Gordon said. “As a child, he was the owner of an automotive business called Gordon’s Automotive and Transmission, and through that, he taught me how to work hard, persevere and treat people how you’d want to be treated. He always preached that hard work reaps reward. He coached my siblings and I in baseball, soccer and football. He was a great provider and continually showed us the love and care that a family man with great morals and character provides.”
Throughout their youth, the Gordon children saw their parents split time at all five of their events equally.
Their father was their biggest fan and yet he was never afraid to put them in their place when needed.
Russell Gordon had a team this season that’s core consisted of 22 seniors that meant the world to him, and Gordon feels, in a way, that his father held on just long enough for the banquet to be completed out of love and support of a team that he knew meant everything to his son.
The La Salle athletics department are standing behind their football coach.
“I have known Coach Gordon and his family for 18 years now,” La Salle athletic director Anthony Harris said. “His father “pops” was a very inviting, humble and fun-loving man. He met me and took me and my family into his family as if we had known each other for years. Over time, we have had some great moments. Mr. Gordon is the reason Coach Gordon is such an upstanding man today. His love, patience and guidance can be seen in all of his children. His life was shared with many and he has touched each and everyone who knew him. He will surely be missed! The La Salle athletic department, we are family and will continue to support and lift Coach Gordon up during this difficult time.”
When asked what he would have said had he gotten home fast enough to say goodbye to his father, Gordon said: “I’d tell him how much I love him and thank him for the great life lessons that he instilled in my family and myself, that he was and still will be the rock of our family. He is 100% a hero to my family and me. We are all very proud of you.”
His untimely and unexpected death will not allow Charles to attend the college graduation of Coach Gordon’s son, and the wedding of his youngest daughter, Kimberly.
Russell Gordon Junior was just named this week the Mid-South Conference’s Champion of Character winner, an accolade that would have made his grandfather all too proud to celebrate. Gordon just graduated from the University of Pikeville in Kentucky. He was the first player in school history to earn this award.
Aside from his wife and five children, Mr. Gordon has 16 grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Dan Rose, the father of La Salle senior linebacker Jake Rose, a man who spent every Friday on the La Salle sidelines said the following about his son’s coach (Russell Gordon).
“Jake and our whole family considers Coach Gordon part of our family and we are deeply saddened and our prayers go out to his family,” Dan Rose said.
And while Russell, Charles Jr., Heather, Kim and Leanea will mourn their father for some time to come, including Saturday’s service, they all know their father would want them to look after his wife/their mother, to raise their children with the same morals and guidance he raised them, and to enjoy and celebrate life.
To that, Russell Gordon penned a letter to his mother, the woman his father married way back on March 5, 1969.
“Dear Mom, you know how much pops loved you. You have been together since you were 15 and been married for 47 years. Pops provided love, shelter, happiness and great memories before he passed, and will continue to do so, All of us kids are here to make sure that we support and love you through this tough time. Like dad always said, please celebrate my life once I pass. Do not mourn. Your kids will never leave your side.
Love,
Your children.
While 68 is such a young age to move on to the next world, what Mr. Charles Gordon accomplished between the hashes of 9/10/1948-12/7/2016 can be held up against anyone.
His wife, children, and grandchildren have a lot to live up to, but there is no doubt that through the example that “Pop’s” left them, that long term happiness and success is within their grasp.
The true measure of a man is when each of his five children call him their “best friend.”
Charles Gordon’s impact on his children:
Charles Gordon
The greatest man I have known, has had the most profound positive impact on my life. As a devoted husband, dad, grandpa, coach, mentor, role model and my lifelong best friend, he provided the foundation and pathway for my overall development. Leading with an emphasis on family and positive relationships, he has produced a legacy of care that has influenced the lives of many, specifically and especially mine. My respect and admiration for him extends far beyond your typical heroic icon, for he possessed the qualities necessary to teach me how to be a better person, as well as someone who strives to give his best (as he always has). To the best dad anyone can dream of the greatest coach, mentor I have ever experienced, the core of our family, I will be forever grateful to have been blessed with your love, kind heartedness, wisdom and leadership. I miss you dearly, I love you, and still continue to learn from your lessons you offered. Thank you pops! RIP
Leanea Gordon
Dad, you’re my hero and rock. My father has always been my #1 confidant. He unconditionally loved, believed, encouraged, advised, pushed and coached on a daily basis. My father raised me to be strong and have belief in everything and everyone. He helped me raise my beautiful daughters the same way. I was lucky enough to coach side by side with him for Joe Walker school where we won championships together both on the field of play and off. He treated all kids as if they were his own. I will cherish every moment we had together.
Heather Gordon
My Father was an amazing role model. He loved to coach in all facets of life as this was his passion. He always showed love to all and was often the light in the dark. He will forever be my guiding angel until we meet again. Your Cherub.
Kimberly Gordon
My father is my hero and was my best friend. I confided in him daily and I will miss his wise words, sense of humor, friendship, and unconditional love. He was selfless with everyone and the best person I have ever known. I will work hard daily to follow in his footsteps and to make him proud. I am so proud of everything you were and stood for daddy. I love you and will miss you deeply. When we meet again we will have our dance.
Love your girl,
Kimberlee Cora
