Clifford "Tom" Gordon

Clifford “Tom” Gordon, 95, of Welcome, Maryland, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at his home with loving family at his bedside. Born on March 6, 1928 in Plymouth, NH, he was the son of the late Ercell Gordon and Doris (Clark) Gordon. Mr. Gordon served in the U.S. Air Force for 3 years during wartime and was honorably discharged at the rank of Corporal in 1948. After marrying his high-school sweetheart, Pauline, the pair moved to Camp Springs, MD where they raised their three sons. He worked for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) as a Nuclear Physicist and Oceanographer where he published numerous scientific papers, translated scientific Russian, and traveled the world completing research until his retirement to Knoxville, TN in 1990. Mr. Gordon had a number of passions throughout his long life. He joined the Prince George's County Police Pipe and Drum Core as a bagpiper and went on to become Pipe Major of Tennesee’s Knoxville Pipes and Drums. Mr. Gordon was also an active member of the NRL’s Toastmasters during his time in Maryland and the Hibernian Society in Knoxville, TN. Later in his years, Mr. Gordon returned to Maryland to his youngest son’s house, where he presided as “Lord of the Lower-Chambers” and became a member of the Mattawoman Creek Arts Society. Mr. Gordon was a lifelong learner. He enjoyed experimenting with cooking strategies and new recipes; he remained an avid reader, language aficionado, and scholar of European history and always enjoyed completing the daily crossword. In addition to his parents, Mr. Gordon was preceded in death by his wife Pauline Emily Gordon; his brother, Norman Ercell Gordon, and sister Eleanor (Gordon) Amend. He is survived by his sons Michael (Sandra) Gordon, Mark Gordon, Thomas (Judith) Gordon; granddaughters, Ashton and Olivia Gordon; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M., September 1, 2023 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 8855 Chapel Point Road in Port Tobacco, Maryland. A Celebration of Tom’s Life will immediately follow at the FOP Lodge #24, 10285 Rosewick Road, in La Plata, MD. In lieu of flowers, should you choose, the family invites you to make a donation to the Alzheimer's Association in his memory.

Clifford "Tom" Gordon

March 6, 1928 - July 5, 2023