By Betty Allison | Special to the Index
GORDON – Gordon is so proud of its new Community Center. The only thing lacking were new tables and chairs to grace the lovely interior!
Former Gordon High School friends “stepped up to the plate” and furnished the funds to buy round tables and 100 chairs. I have written about one of the couples who have been so much a part of Gordon, even though they now live in Stephenville, Evelyn and Skeeter Pierce. Skeeter challenged Homer DeFord to match him in supplying the needed tables and chairs. Homer came through with “flying colors.”
Homer graduated from Gordon High School in 1940. He hitched a ride to Austin, where he enrolled at the University of Texas. He had two jobs in order to pay for his schooling, which didn’t leave much time for studying. If a male student did not make straight A’s they were drafted into the Army to serve during World War II. So, Homer found himself in the Army! They soon learned that a childhood disease kept him from being able to handle the infantry and he was given a medical discharge.
He then went to work at North American Aviation, where he became foremen of inspectors. After the war, a friend opened a lumber company and asked Homer to be his manager. After gaining knowledge of the lumber industry, Homer started his own company in 1964, located at 1018 Duncanville Road. The company specializes in contractors sales, custom millwork and wholesale supplies. They offer a wide variety of products and provide best-in-class service for professional builders, contractors and property managers in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
Next door to the DeFord Lumber Company is Homer’s pastime: The Olden Year Musical Museum. It houses one of the largest collections of mechanical automated musical instruments in the world. Homer and his curator, Rick Wilkens, have been on the prowl all over the world, collecting antique musical instruments for the past 20 years. Rick travels to Europe or wherever yearly, looking for rare instruments. Homer is presently working with architects on a new location to house his growing collection, probably near his lumber business.
Gordon appreciates its exes who still have fond memories of growing up in a unique, small town and want to give back to the community where they “grew up.”
When the sewer system is completed and the parking lot is paved, it should be complete just waiting to serve the community.
The Gordon Lion’s Club recently met at the Back Road’s Bakery (also known as Carol’s Corner Café). Each year they give a scholarship to an outstanding student. The faculty chooses the students. They gave a short talk, telling what they are involved in during and after school.
Representing the junior class, Amber Proctor; from the Sophomore class, Emery Allen; and from the Freshman class, Randi Kelleher and Kaylee Ginn. The scholarship will be awarded at the high school graduation At the club’s next meeting, the debate team is going to present their study of wind power – the pros and cons.
Gordon News
News from the new Gordon Community Center
- Gordon News
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A look back at Thorp Springs Christian College
GORDON – Thorp Springs Christian College was chartered in 1910 by members of the Church of Christ. Thorp Springs has been the site of several educational institutions.
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Thurber High School, circa 1923
GORDON – The Gordon Library and Museum received an email from Avalon Bruce of Imperial, Texas. She is moving and found an annual that belonged to her mother, Faye Davis Bruce. She wondered if we would like to have it and I immediately responded that we would LOVE to have this bit of history.
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Rhonda Patterson named ‘Citizen of the Month’
The Gordon City Council recently selected Rhonda Patterson its “Citizen of the Month.” We normally put this information out on the marquee by the bank, but she wanted no part in that.
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Despite technology advances, car batteries relatively unchanged
We have so many interesting, talented people in and near Gordon!
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News from the new Gordon Community Center
Gordon is so proud of its new Community Center. The only thing lacking were new tables and chairs to grace the lovely interior!
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Gordon Gala ushers in new year
A Gordon Gala was celebrated Dec. 30 at the New York Hill Restaurant. This was an attempt to recognize Gordonites that have contributed to the betterment of Gordon.
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Public invited to Gordon Library's Appreciation Tea
The Gordon Community Library is having an Appreciation Tea 2-4 p.m. this Saturday at the library.
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Backroads Bakery celebrating grand opening in new location
The latest addition to Gordon's Main Street is the Backroads Bakery. They are having a grand opening on Thursday, Nov. 18, beginning at 6 p.m. Their bakery is located at Main and State Highway 193.
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Gordon's new community center nears completion
Back around 1948, the American Legion No. 544 of Gordon acquired an Army mess hall from Brownwood. (They were unable to get one from Fort Wolters because of difficulty crossing bridges).
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New community center going up fast
The new Gordon Community Center, under the auspices of the Gordon Development Corporation and the City Council, is being built at a rapid pace.
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