James R. Gordon
August 24, 1935 ~ March 18, 2020
James R. Gordon, 84, of Columbus, died at 2:55 a.m. March 18, 2020, at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana Inpatient Facility.
Jim was born August 24, 1935, in Benwood, West Virginia, the son of Harry and Marie Klieves Gordon. He married Miriam E.Webb October 15, 1954.
He moved to Columbus to work with the Remington Rand Corporation and brought the rest of his family to Columbus in the summer of 1963. Jim purchased the Remington branch and began Jim Gordon Inc. in 1973. The business expanded to Bloomington in 1976. Jim was also very successful with his commercial real estate investments.
Jim loved watching Indiana University basketball and spending time on the boat on Grandview Lake. He especially loved being with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Throughout his life Jim helped many people. His family describes him as charismatic, hardworking and an entrepreneur. Jim was a wonderful provider, never met a stranger and treated his employees like family.
A member of The Masonic Lodge, Scottish Rite, Shrine, Elks and the Moose, Jim was a generous and loyal philanthropist. His donations to area athletics and arts organizations were numerous.
Visitation and funeral services will be private with the Rev. Howard Boles officiating at the Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home. Entombment will be at the Garland Brook Cemetery mausoleum.
Memorial donations may be made by check to Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Riley Children’s Hospital in memory of Jim through the funeral home: Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home, 3855 25th Street, Columbus, IN, 47203.
Survivors include his wife, Miriam; sons, James R. (Brenda) Gordon Jr. of Columbus, Robert D. (Pamela) Gordon of Bloomington, Glen E. (Donna) Gordon of Columbus, and Mark A. (Janie) Gordon of Columbus; and brothers, Thomas Gordon of Ohio, John Gordon of West Virginia and Walter Gordon of Florida. He was ‘Pap” to grandchildren, Richard (Lesli) Gordon, Scott (Michelle) Gordon, Brent (Sara) Gordon, Robert (Randi) Gordon, Stefanie (Joshua) Vargo, Allison (Jon) Cline, Erin Gordon, Andrew Gordon, Amy (Aaron) Shaff and Christopher (Kayla) Gordon and 17 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; eight brothers and two sisters.
Due to the Corona virus pandemic and the concern for everyone’s well being, visitations and funeral services must be limited.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
An external video has been added.
The Staff at Shannon Rudicel CPA LLC purchased the Emerald Garden Basket for the family of James R. Gordon.
If it wasn’t for him, I would not be.
So sorry to hear this! He was a great man!
Lisa Voelz-Gatesy
Don Chitwood (30yr employee JGI) Marianne Chitwood purchased the Enchanted Cottage for the family of James R. Gordon.
I am truely heartbroken to hear about James. My late husband, Bill Cox, became good friends with him and I had the privelege of getting to know James through him. Keeping all of you in my prayers.
Patty Cox-Wyan
Jim always seemed larger than life. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Simply Elegant Spathiphyllum was purchased for the family of James R. Gordon.
Certain people touch your life in a way that you think they will live forever. Jim was one of those persons. I am a better person to have known him. I will never forget him. His memory will live on in all of us that knew him. My heartfelt condolences to his loving family. There is a huge void that will be hard to fill. Somehow I think he is looking down on us all having a Coke in a bottle, and a smile…Rest in peace and thank you Jim.
Christ Drossos, Jr.
I am thinking of you during these difficult times
Hey Bud how’s business a call I always enjoyed, I had a lot of respect for Jim a self made success story he will be missed
I, along with thousands of others, appreciated the support Jim provided to the CYH program and the ice rink. My condolences to all the family members and I hope the loss you are feeling now will be replaced with the fondest memories of Jim.
Our thoughts are with you. Blessings. Dwight and Madelyn Ferris
So many wonderful memories of Jim. Our thoughts are with the entire family!
G.J. & Lisa Kelly
He was always enjoyable to be around. My husband liked to talk with him and enjoyed many laughs. I am sorry for your loss.
I have known Jim for 47 years, the first 46 was as an employee. I have felt the wrath of
his temperament on many occasion, I have also witnessed his enormous heart and willingness to take care of his people without any ones approval or applause. He was very much like Bobby Knight in that he had the ability to pull more out of you than you realized
you had.I and my family owe him a deep debt of gratitude, more than one time he helped
in times of need. Know that you will be missed and not forgotten Jim.Our sincere and deepest condolence and sympathy are extended to all the family
5 files added to the tribute wall
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of James R. Gordon.
Our thoughts are with the family at this time. Jim was a good man and he will be missed by many people.
Our condolences to the Gordon family for the passing of Jim. Jim was a wonderful man, and there will never be another like him. I was proud to call him a friend. Growing up with the Gordon family, many things stand out. I have always looked to Jim’s entrepreneurship and business ethics as guidelines for my life. I will miss him greatly.
Always fun to see Jim and his sons or workers in tow at Lunch somewhere while dad and I and maybe some workers, would be going to lunch too. as another Family business having the same struggles or opportunities we would discuss…. the topics of the day.
I understand the additional bonding and dynamics of family working together in a business in good times and in challenging times. I remember it as the best of times.
I know the Gordon family does too .
Our prayers, and sympathy to you all.
RIP to the Boss Man, Jim.
Regards and Love, The Winters
My deepest sympathy for this beautiful family. Praying for you all during this difficult time. To me Jim was larger than life and for the time I knew him, he made me feel special. Rest In Peace
Jim was one of the best boss’s I’ve ever had. He may not have been the most orthodox(his temper sometimes even scared me), but I had so much respect for him. I will always appreciate the opportunity he gave me and the things he taught me.
I am so sorry for your loss. I have great memories of working for Jim and Bob in the early 1980’s. I was a young kid in need of a job and they took me in and treated me like family. Jim was a man of character and had a “larger then life” personality.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Aunt Miriam and Family. We were so sorry to hear of your loss. It reminded both Paul and me about the time we came out to your house before we were married and how you welcomed us and treated us so kindly. That was the first time I think that I had met you and Jim and some of the boys. We are praying for you and your family.
First, I want to extend my thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Gordon Family. To say that Jim was a “great man” seems to be an understatement, and I hope that he knew how much I respected him for his many qualities. Of all the qualities that he possessed, it was his huge heart that stood out the most.
The impact that Jim had on so many lives was deeply felt. It is now our obligation to carry that impact forward to others.
Rest in peace, my friend – it was my honor to have know you.
Mike Miller
Dear Mirian,
Thank you for the kindness you and your Jim showed my father Gene Larimer years ago,
Sincerely,
December Larimer Bailey