Edwin Lawrence Gordon was born February 24, 1923, in Patterson, New Jersey. He died on January 8, 2011. His parents were Dr. Harry A. Gordon and Fannie Miller Gordon. At 18, he left New Jersey for Ohio where he attended Ohio State University. In 1943, Ed was drafted in the US Army. He completed basic training in Illinois and Pennsylvania before being deployed to Europe where he served as a medic in 317th Infantry Medical Detachment in France and Germany.
According to his discharge papers, he ?performed immediate first aid to personnel wounded on the battlefield. He also tended other ailments occurring in the unit while on the battlefield. He often worked under enemy fire during the Campaigns through Europe?. For this, he was awarded the Purple Heart.
In 1944 he was captured by the Nazi?s and kept in a German prisoner of war camp for seven months.
Following the war, Ed moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and began attending the Ohio College of Podiatry. He attended a dance in the evening and met Alaine June Carl. He used his charm and podiatry skills (she had a sprained ankle) to woo her. They married not long after on December 21, 1947.
Alaine and Ed first settled in Cleveland where Ed started a podiatry practice. Eventually, they settled in Wooster in 1955. By this time, daughter Kathy was born, followed by a son Kenny. Ed began a thirty year career as a podiatrist for the State of Ohio at Apple Creek State Hospital. He made some lasting friendships there.
Ed was always a very involved father. He supported Kenny?s sports endeavors and Kathy?s academics. He was always very civically involved, staying current with politics and world affairs. Whenever possible he was for the underdog.
He read a lot and wrote frequent letters to the editor. When he retired, he became even more politically active. He was a key player in helping to make Wooster a nuclear free zone and in protesting when President Reagan came to Wooster. Ed made no secret of the fact that he was an avid Democrat, and was an active member of the Wayne County Democratic Party.
In his retirement, he became an active volunteer. He drove elderly people to appointments and worked for People to People Ministries. The family belonged to Knesseth Israel Temple.
Starting in about 1986, Ed and Alaine began spending winters in Florida. For about 15 years, they went each winter. There, they developed a large group of friends, played golf and cards and truly enjoyed their retirements. Additionally, they traveled to many places including Israel, Mexico, Greece, Egypt and Alaska.
Ed and Alaine made many trips to Portland, Oregon to visit daughter Kathy and her family. His three grandchildren, Viviana, Micah and Daniela brought him immense pleasure. He was a devoted grandfather and they loved their ?Papa?.
Ed spent the last years of his life at Shady Lawn Nursing Home in Dalton. There, he received loving care from many devoted staff. He had received care from Wayne County Hospice for over 3 years. The family will be forever grateful for the care he received.
Ed is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alaine June Carl Gordon, daughter Kathy Gordon, son-in-law Bill Farver and grandchildren Viviana, Micah and Daniela. He is also survived by a niece Helaine Gross and nephews Ralph and Jim Liss and Philip Carl. Additionally, he is survived by Beth Entsminger, his devoted caretaker and friend.
Ed was preceded in death by his son, Kenny, in 2005 and two sisters Ruth and Grace. A service has been held.
McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster is assisting the family.
Contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691

Memorial Contributions
Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691

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