James Gordon

A tribute to my father

For everyone who doesn't know me, I am the daughter that James probably has made some crazy, funny, or hopefully impactful reference too. My name is Lady-Dreama Kay Gordon and as you can see my dad's unique, creative, and vibrant personality is present even in my name. James was born on February 13, 1957, in Columbus, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janet Gordon and brother, Donald Gordon. James is survived by his loving children, Lady-Dreama Gordon and Patrick Henry; grandchild, Patrick Jr.; father, James H. Gordon; Sisters, Cassandra Price, Crystal Gordon, Janet Gordon, and Tameka Gordon; brother, Ronald Gordon; nephews, Lee Price, Travis Langhorne, and Ronald Gordon; and great niece and nephews, Layla, Christopher, and Damian Price. James is greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues, and clients that he has serviced throughout his career. Family was important to my father and he tried to make every environment that he was a part of feel like family. When he was a young man he could be quoted as being rambunctious, bright, and charismatic. My father was not a perfect man, but there is truly no human that is. His imperfectness is what he would use later in life to help others. My father went through a period of what he would call "Being out in the wilderness" or "wilderness training" but was able to get back to what was important him, bettering himself for his family, so that he can make a mark on his community; and servicing people that are in the same situations that he had once found himself in. My dad decided that it was time to make a change and started to pursue higher education. He realized that he had to nurture his best self in order to be able to put forth all his effort into not only being a representation of how one can turn their life around but to also be an example so that we can walk the path of higher education together. My father, James was 43 when he received his associate's degree, 49 when he received his bachelor's degree and 52 when he received his master's degree. Age was never a hindrance or a crutch when it came to what my father set his sights on. My dad taught and raised me as a single father to be strong, and to always work to continuously improve myself, to always find opportunities to learn and grow, to have a deep love for humanity, and to leave my mark on the world. Besides his children, and family, James, my father had a deep devotion to his work and developing his craft. He loved his clients and colleagues as if they were an extended part of our family. He would always find ways to go above and beyond to lead us to options and possibilities that we may have not known if it were not for him. He always made a point to let all that he encountered know that they are SOMEBODY and that we all matter. So if everyone could say out loud with me once so that my father knows that this is a lesson none of us will forget. Please say "I am somebody"___________________. This mantra is how he would end all of treatment groups and individual sessions. As evidenced by the tremendous out pour of love, support, prayers, kind words, and positive thoughts I know we all can say that my dad, James Eugene Gordon was somebody that will never be forgotten His earthly life is proof that anyone can turn their life around and can do anything that you put your mind too. All dreams are attainable with hard work and dedication. Do not let your pass affect your future but use it as a learning experience and as a step in the right direction. The one's that love us never really leave us. You can always find them (hold heart) in here and I feel my father James in all of you. Let my father be the light when you think that the darkness will never end. This is a CELEBRATION of life for the love of my life James Eugene Gordon.