Gordon Gilbert, 88, was born in Memphis on Mother’s Day in 1929. He went home with Jesus on Jan. 19, 2018. Gordon, known as “Red” to some, and “Sonny Boy” to others, never met a stranger. He received his BS and MA degrees from Memphis State College, now University of Memphis. He went on to teach and coach football, baseball, track, and wrestling at Treadwell High School before joining the Army and being stationed in Korea.

Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Gordon held various teaching, coaching, and administrative positions at White Station High, and also began a 16 year stint of measuring cotton for the U.S. Farm Bureau in the summers. He was principal at Bellevue Jr. High and then Humes Jr. High during the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, before becoming the founding principal of Wooddale Jr. High. He completed his educator career as principal at Hillcrest High School. After retirement, he spent periods of time as a real estate agent, mortgage representative, and cabinet maker. In his later years, he took great pleasure in gathering friends to share fellowship and a meal at monthly get-togethers.

Quite the athlete, Gordon lettered in football, basketball, baseball, tennis, boxing, and golf during his high school and college years. He excelled as a boxer, winning the Memphis Golden Gloves championship for his weight category in 1948, 1949, 1950, and 1951. He was voted into the Memphis Boxing Hall of Fame, as well as the Memphis Amateur Sports Hall of Fame for his years of officiating boxing, softball, baseball, and basketball.

He is predeceased by his parents, Elbert Lee Gilbert and Rosa Alyne Wilcox Gilbert; siblings, Rebecca June Hartmann and Billie Jean Harrell; his wife of 53 years, Marilyn Joyce Norman Gilbert; and his daughters, Teri Leigh Gilbert and Debra Anne Gilbert. He is survived by his daughter Cathi Lynne Moore of Memphis, nine grandchildren, six great grands, and a number of cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2018, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Forest Hill Funeral Home East. The funeral will be Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. at Forest Hill Funeral Home East, with burial to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Gordon was a member at Ridgeway Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Ridgeway Baptist Church or an organization of donor’s choice.