Ronald A. Gordon

Ronald A. Gordon, age 77, lifelong resident of Two Rivers, passed away peacefully at his residence Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2023 with his family at his side, following a short aggressive form of lung cancer.

Ron was born in Two Rivers on February 15, 1946 to Donald and Agnes (DeBauche) Gordon. He attended St. Luke's Catholic School and graduated from Washington High School in Two Rivers with the class of 1964. Ron was a proud United States Vietnam Veteran who served with the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1968. He served 13 months in South Korea, followed by 10 months in Vietnam. In May, 2018 he was fortunate to have joined in the Old Glory Honor's Flight to Washington D.C., which also won him a brand new Harley Davidson Motorcycle from a $20 raffle ticket he purchased on that glorious day.

On August 30, 1969, he was united in marriage to Alice M. Schleis at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Norman, Wisconsin. He was happily married to Alice for 54 years. The couple was blessed with 5 children and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 2019. Ron worked for the city of Two Rivers as a meter reader in 1968-69, and in February, 1969 started working for Paragon Electric Co. as a tool and die apprentice. Ron spent the next 30 years with Paragon working as a journeyman tool and die maker and machinist until the plants closing in 1999. He then worked for 2 years at the Mirro/Foley Company, followed by 5 years at Hamilton Industries, and retired from Manitowoc Tool & Machine in 2012.

Ron was very active with the local veteran's organizations. He served as chaplain and commander of the American Legion Post #165 and remained active as a member of the military Honor Guard with VFW Post #1248 and the American Legion; and member of the American Legion Clown Drill Squad. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, Mother of Good Hope Council #1957 of Two Rivers, serving as Past Grand Knight; and 4th degree member of Rev. Francis Simono ASM Council #1220 where he served as Faithful Navigator, and member of the 4th Degree Honor Guard. He was bartender at the KC Club for many years.

Ron belonged to the St. Joe's Club in Two Rivers for 55 years; member and lector at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church; St. Peter the Fisherman Men's Club; and enjoyed playing sheepshead with a group at the church. He was a member of the Two Rivers Senior Center, February Club, and participated in Two Rivers Pool League and Bowling leagues at Rudy's Lanes. He also enjoyed playing sheepshead on Monday mornings with neighbors and friends; putting Lego's together with Owen and Nahoa; and watching the Brewers, Bucks, Packers, or Golf and the Wisconsin Badgers on TV or attending the games. Ron enjoyed traveling the U.S. in a car, especially his Ford Mustang Convertible. He also enjoyed bus trips, a Caribbean Cruise, Alaskan Cruise, a trip to Mexico and Punta Cana Dominican Republic. He wanted to visit all 50 states, but accomplished 45 including Alaska and Hawaii. He most recently enjoyed a wonderful trip to Ireland, Scotland, London and Lisbon Portugal.

Ron started riding a unicycle in parades in 1968 from a $5 bet in the Two Rivers Snowfest Parade. He would be notably recognized for the next 47 years riding his unicycle in various parades throughout the county each summer, putting smiles on children and adults faces at each parade. He was proud to have his 3 sons and 3 of his grandsons follow in his footsteps. With 7 unicycles riding, he retired in 2014 at the Kiwanis Fish Derby Parade with all of his family joining him in the parade.

Survivors include his loving wife, Alice; sons: Mark Gordon (fiance, Rebecca Ernst), Scott (Josephine) Gordon, James Gordon (fiance, Rachel Fruin); daughters: Tina (Dean) Downing, and Tammy (Thomas) Lawler; his grandchildren include: Dylan Gordon, Austin and Megan Gordon, Taylor Gordon, Nevin Gordon-Keolanui, Azalea and Tiffany Gordon, Ian and Greta Lawler, Nathan Otto, Ireland Lawler, Owen Downing, Nahoa Sefo-Gordon, Jakob Fruin, and Cameron Fruin; three great-grandchildren: Kelly Gordon-Keolanui, Harper Gordon, and Sophie Lawler. He is further survived by one brother & sister-in-law, Thomas and Sandy Gordon; 10 brothers-in-law: Dennis Schleis and Lori M., Kenneth (Judy) Schleis, Michael (Judy) Schleis, James (Shirley) Schleis, Gerald (Betty) Schleis, Ralph (Kathy) Schleis, Wayne (Kathy) Schleis, Robert (Sue) Schleis, Harold (Kelly) Schleis, and Richard Schleis; 5 sisters-in-law: Jean Schleis, Susan (Rick) Barta, Lois (Hank) Baumann, Marijo Schleis, and Ruthann Peterson; his godchildren: Kaitlin Schleis, Kurt Schleis, and J.R. VanLeishout; uncle, Glenn Schultz; two aunts, Christine and Winnie DeBauche; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, and good friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Agnes Gordon; two brothers, Chucky and Steven Gordon; one sister & brother-in-law, Mary and William VanLeishout; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Louis and Violet Schleis; brother-in-law, Lee Peterson; sister-in-law, Ann Schleis; aunts, uncles, cousins, and nieces.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 15, 2023 at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church, 3201 Mishicot Rd., Two Rivers. Officiating at the Mass of Christian Burial will be Rev. Richard Klingeisen, assisted by Deacon Paul Gleichner. Burial will take place in Holy Cross Cemetery, Two Rivers. Military graveside honors will be held at the church immediately following mass by members of American Legion Post #165 and VFW Post #1248 of Two Rivers.

The family will greet relatives and friends at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church Friday evening, April 14th, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue at the church Saturday morning from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m.

The funeral service will be live streamed on the St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church website or St. Peter the Fisherman Facebook page.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.dejamartin.com.

Deja & Martin Funeral Chapels of Two Rivers is assisting the Gordon family with funeral arrangements.

The Gordon family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Dr. David King, Dr. John Charlson and staff at Froedtert Hospital and Kathy's House in Milwaukee; Dr. Glenn Smith and staff at the Two Rivers Clinic; and the caregivers of Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice, especially Ellen and Valerie for all the wonderful, compassionate care extended to Ron.