Mick Gordon

Mick (Marvin) Keith Gordon, 85, a lifelong truck driver of Lynn, Indiana completed his final trip on January 8, 2021.  He was surrounded by loved ones in his family home as he peacefully left this world for the next.  Born October 4, 1935 in Winchester, IN, he was the son of David William and Edith (Thornburg) Gordon.

He graduated from Lynn High School in 1953.  On April 13, 1974, he married the love of his life, Sarah Marie Dees.

Mick grew up outside of Lynn, where as a boy, he would watch the trucks driving by on the highway and dream of being able to do that for a living one day.  His family farm is where his love for animals, nature, and gardening began.  These things would remain an important part of his life for all of his days.

After graduating, Mick served briefly in the U.S. Army and The National Guard before realizing his dream of becoming a truck driver.   Mick drove locally, and then nationally, primarily driving a car hauler, but he never encountered a truck he wasn’t comfortable in.  Mick’s friends and family would marvel when given the opportunity to see him load or unload vehicles from his trailer.  He did this with an ease that few could believe until they watched.  Over his lifetime as a truck driver he logged billions of miles on the road, traveled to every state in the contiguous U.S. as well as Mexico and Canada.   Mick could back a semi loaded with valuable cars into the tightest of spaces with ease, and was most proud in his final years to drive one of Cassens Transport’s 80’ trucks that could haul as many as 11-12 cars at one time.  He was a proud Teamster, and was one of the most respected drivers at Cassens.  His wife, Sarah Marie always said he was “The Legend of Cassens” because young drivers would meet him and tell how they’d heard stories of “the oldest Cassens driver,” Mick Gordon.

In addition to his love for driving truck, Mick was a dedicated family man who enjoyed walking his land in his bare feet, gardening, playing volleyball, ping pong, chess, bowling and more.    For many years, Mick’s garden was known as the place to go for the best free strawberries and sweet corn – friends and neighbors were welcome to take all that they could pick.  Throughout the 1980’s Mick and Sarah’s back yard was also widely known as the place to join in for Sunday afternoon volleyball games that would last into the evening as long as players could see the ball.  Mick’s name was often spotted in the newspaper as a ping pong champion during Randolph County’s Corporate and Church Challenges, with many individual wins as well as multiple years of team wins with his daughter Mendy and good friend, Chuck Glenn.    Mick truly enjoyed playing cards, particularly euchre which he taught Sarah Marie to play in the beginning of their relationship; they loved hosting their annual euchre tournament at home every New Year’s Eve.  He loved Indiana basketball, shared stories of his wife and children with waitresses and other drivers in diners across the country and whether he was driving truck, splitting wood or bird watching, he was rarely spotted without a toothpick in his mouth… just like his Pop.

At the heart of it, Mick was a no-nonsense, down to Earth, simple man who enjoyed traveling and had a great appreciation for all things in life.  He shared a beautiful life with his best friend, Sarah Marie, his children and many loyal dogs who could sense his true honest spirit.  He was quiet in manner and thoughtful with his words yet funny and enjoyed a good prank on a regular basis – when he laughed his eyes sparkled and the whole room lit up.  He will be missed by everyone whose life he touched and his legacy will live on with those that were blessed to share his love of life and the road.

Survivors include his loving wife of 46 years, Sarah Marie Gordon, children, Melinda “Mendy” (Patrick Foose) Gordon, Leslie (Jason) Blakley, David (Amy) Gordon, Cheryl (Kevin) Cash, and Keith Gordon, as well as, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, a sister, Marcella and a brother, Don Bill.   He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Maurice Gordon.

In accordance with Mick’s wishes, he will be cremated and no funeral service will be held, however, a celebration of life will be arranged at a future date.  Arrangements with DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, IN 46725.  Friends and family may visit www.demoneygrimes.com to send his family online condolences or sign the online guest book.

The family would like to express their enormous gratitude for the dedication and compassion shown by Mick’s entire healthcare team including Lacy Burge, Reid Hospital Oncology, and especially the Reid Hospice team, Courtney, Laura, Brittany, Marge, Rebekah, Chaplain Daniels, and Dr. Desantis.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Reid Hospice by utilizing the following website and selecting Hospice as the designated area of need: https://reidhealthfoundation.org/donate/.