Waits W. Gordon, Jr.

Waits W. Gordon, Jr., 84, of Morganton, NC, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2026 after a short period of declining health.

Born in Norfolk, VA on March 8, 1942, he was the son of the late Waits Walton Gordon, Sr. and Claudia Helms Durham Gordon.

Waits was a veteran of the US Marine Corps and the US Marine Corps Reserves. He was an active member of First United Methodist Church where he had served with the backpack ministry, finance committee, prison ministries, and the staff parish. He retired from Oster Corporation as a national sales manager and worked as store manager for Food Lion for over 20 years. Waits also was a servant to the community. He served on the boards of Burke United Christian Ministries, Burke County History Museum, and the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. He was also a member of the Morganton Planning and Zoning Committee and many other charitable organizations. Waits was the Morganton Rotary Man of the Year in 2008.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Laura Ann Garrison Gordon; children, Waits Walton Gordon, III (Denitsa), Kimberly G. Maugans, Laura “Beth” Powell (Tim), and Todd Young (Kimberly); grandchildren, Sylar Gordon, Tate Gordon, Kathan Maugans, Garrett Maugans, Jennifer Cárdenas, Lauren Powell, Bryan Powell, Jeffrey Young, and Michael Young; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Arthur, and Lydia; sister, Rebecca Anderson (Robert); and nephew, Robb Carr; niece, Jane Carr; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Waits was preceded in death by his sister, Margie VanHorn.

A celebration of Waits’ life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, April 18, 2026 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dan Hester and Rev. Austin McNeil officiating. The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.