Robert "John" Gordon III, 66, of Springfield, MO, moved to heaven to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on May 8, 2019. Born in Detroit, MI, on May 11, 1952, John was the eldest son of Robert John Gordon, Jr. and Edith Mae (Dayton) Gordon.

John graduated from Wade Hampton High School in Greenville, SC and attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC. John and Brenda were married June, 16, 1972 at the Branson Bible Church in Branson, MO and made their home in Springfield, MO. John worked at Lilly Cup until 1980 at which time he started Landscape Artistry, a landscape design and Installation Company, which he operated until his death.

John was a faithful and loving husband, father, brother, brother-in-law and friend. Though John submitted his eternal life to Jesus Christ at an early age, led by the guidance of his Godly mother, it was in 1980, prompted by circumstances of life, that John began a much deeper walk with Christ. He and Brenda and young son Chris began attending Glendale Baptist Church in Springfield where they met and joined with other young couples in pursuing their Christian walk. Many lifelong relationships were formed at Glendale and many more were added when John, Brenda, Chris and Jenny began attending Rolling Hills Baptist Church. Old relations were kept and new ones added when the family began attending James River Assembly, now called James River Church.

John and Brenda were missionaries and Ambassadors for Christ, not formally ordained by any church, rather through their obedience to God's Word and calling on their life to be charitable, hospitable and to bind up the broken-hearted. Even though John traveled to many foreign lands on 14 church mission trips and although he spearheaded sending numerous shipping containers filled with clothes, kitchen equipment, bicycles, boats, and even Christmas lights to the church in foreign countries, most will consider the missional activities that occurred at the Gordon home as John and Brenda's most important mission work. God blessed John with a wife who could whip up incredible meals on a moment's notice, beds ready for the weary, so John could carry out his heartfelt backyard counseling and fellowship to people of all ages and cultures. Brenda and the family came to expect the 'guess who's coming for dinner' calls as John sought out those who may not know the Lord, those who needed a helping hand or those who could join in their fellowship ministry. An example of this compassion would be John and Brenda's taking meals to the homeless living under bridges in Springfield and sharing the Gospel with them.

John's mother provided an early foundation of Bible study and church attendance and John continued Bible study throughout his life. He had an excellent retention of scriptures and could always recall the proper scripture in the proper context to share with someone needing encouragement or guidance. John was a true prayer warrior, regularly leaving the house at 4:00 a.m. to pray with a brother-in-Christ.

John didn't merely read the Bible, it was his compass. One of this favorites, Isaiah 41:10 (NIV), "So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." John had experienced a long battle with congenital heart disease and yet was able to live a joyful and abundant life. He knew the measurement of success was not an earthly measure but rather heavenly. Jeremiah 9:23-24 (NIV) was imprinted on his heart. "This is what is what the LORD says ' Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me. That I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,' declares the LORD.

John loved fishing, bow hunting, golf and entertaining friends and strangers. John's unconditional love for his children Chris and Jenny naturally enabled him to be a fun and engaging grandfather "POP POP" to his three grandchildren. When he was able, he enjoyed taking them fishing on the piers in Florida and teaching them real life examples from the Bible. John was a true 'fisher of men'.

John wrote two published books, "The Lord and the Landscaper" and "The Landscaper's Secret". These two books chronicled intimate moments between the Lord and John in his regular early hours of reading, prayer, and waiting on the Lord.

Someone said when God made Robert John Gordon, III, the Lord broke the mold…we will not need another like him…so true. No one could or will ever be able to fill the place John filled in the hearts and lives of his family and friends. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things. I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your Master." Matthew 25:23 (ESV)

Visitation will be held Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. in the main auditorium at James River Church – West Campus, Springfield, MO followed in the same place by a Celebration of Life service at 11:00 a.m., Reverend John Lindell officiating. Immediately following the services, a graveside service and burial will be at Rivermonte Memorial Gardens, Springfield, MO.

Pallbearers are Ed Anders, Randy Cantrell, Ron Firestone, Don Frank, Bill Hart, Mike Morris, Galen Pellham, Phil Stocker, Curt Stiles, and Bill Woods.

John was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, William "Bill" Gordon.

John is survived by wife, Brenda Kay (Cushman) Gordon; son, Christopher and wife, Emma Gordon; daughter, Jennifer and husband, Ben Bosscher; grandchildren Skylar, Tristan and Landon Bosscher; sister, Sheila (Gordon) Summers; mother-in-law, Amanda Cushman; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vickie and Wayne Dixon, Lynda Jury, Sherry and Harry Behle, David Cushman; and many nieces and nephews.