Committal
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 Holmes 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, Skylar Gordon, Tate Gordon, Nathan Maugans, Garrett Maugans, Jennifer Cárdenas, Lauren Powell, Bryan Powell, Jeffrey Young, and Michael Young; great-grandchildren, Brayden, Arthur, and Lydia; sister, Rebecca Anderson (Robert), brother in law Larry Van Horn; 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, Rev. Austin McNeil, and Rev. Dana McKim 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.
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Dear Waits Gordon Family, we are very sorry to hear of the passing of Waits. He was a kind and generous man always interested in helping and making a difference in the lives of individuals. In reaching out to others, he did so with a warm smile and sincere words of care and compassion. He will be missed by so many. God bless your family with peace.
I will miss you my wonderful neighbor. I will miss the short chats we would have, your thoughtful kindness and kind words always. Although a sad time indeed you are no longer physically here with us on this earth. You are where we prepare to go one day when we are called home by our Savior. To God be all the Glory! I’ll see you again my good neighbor and friend. My sincere condolences to your sweet wife Laura and family. Respectfully Brian Simmons
A servant's feet stopped moving, a servant's hands stopped working, a Servant's Heart stopped beating; "To be absent from the Body, to be in the Presence of the LORD"! I was saddened to learn of Mr. Waits W. Gordon, Jr.'s transition. I often walked with him as he came into the hospital caring for Ms. Laura., he had so much concern and passion for her well-being. Just as he did for our community and charitable activities that he could be involved in. He was a good man, and I believe a TRUE SERVANT of the Lord. To the Gordon Family, I offer my sincere condolences and prayers as you go through this difficult season of your lives. Sincerely with love and compassion, Ruth Roseboro
Dear Family, Please accept our sincere condolences. We both enjoyed working with Mr. Gordon to help the children in the school system and families served by Burke United Christian Ministries. Mr. Gordon was a born leader who used his gifts to serve others in the name of Christian love. Our prayer is thar God will grant you courage and peace.
Such a kind, generous man. HE will be remembered by many who worked with,benefitted from his kindness, and admired his character. RIP, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!
The Rotary Club of Morganton is heartbroken to hear the news of Waits’ passing. He has been one of our most respected and dedicated members for decades. Waits has always been the first to show up when help is needed to support any of our community projects. He has been a mentor to all of us and he has been a great friend. He is the embodiment of the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”. We are so grateful to the family for sharing Waits with us and we wish them peace and strength through this difficult time.
A farewell from your only son, your flesh and blood, and a forever broken heart. Through the good and the bad, I have only wished for you to be happy and to prosper. Mission accomplished, Soldier. Until we meet again... I love you, Dad. Skip
Wonderful brother and community servant and friend. Always in my heart and will be missed every day.