Troy Gordon
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Troy Gordon, 47, passed away Friday, April 25th. There will be a memorial gathering in the Shelter House at the Arrow Rock State Historic Site on Saturday, May 3rd from 2-4pm. Around 3:15 we will have a short service and sharing of memories
Troy was born August 18, 1960 in Independence, MO to Milo Jacks & Maxine Isabell (Matteson) Gordon. He graduated from UMKC with a Bachelor of Arts in Middle Eastern Studies. He worked in libraries until he became a stay at home dad when his first daughter was born. He continued volunteering for many groups, among them the Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, MO
Master Naturalist, MO River Relief, & MO Dept. of Conservation.
He was a Master Hummingbird Bander and participated in songbird banding. Troy gave many presentations on hummingbirds and river animals to schools and groups. He especially enjoyed showing kids about birds and nature. He loved to travel, camp, and contra dance.
Troy is survived by his loving wife, Janine, two very special daughters, Jasmine & Genely, a sister Linda Hester & family, two half-sisters Suzanne Smith & Sandy Gedminas & their families, a half-brother Fred L. Ehman, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. . In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to Missouri River Relief, P.O. Box 463, Columbia, MO 65205 for a special project on the Big Muddy Refuge.
Visits: 14
Janine & Family,
I feel like I knew Troy and his family, I was suppose to introduce him at our (FGCM) in Jeff. City, I know he will be sadly missed. My deepest regrets to you and your.
rochelle murdock
Janine & family,
Heartfelt condolences at this sad time. Troy’s memory lives in the hearts of so many here in Ellis Library.
From my family to yours, we will keep you all in our hearts & prayers. Although he was our friend & colleague, we felt that he was part of our family too. We will miss his smile & laughter.
From my family to yours, we will keep you and yours in our prayers. We will miss Troy greatly. He was a true friend and compassionate coworker. Take care and may God bless all of you.
Janine, I remember fondly the presentation you and Troy gave in Ellis Library about your trip to S. America. I enjoyed talking to you both at Big Muddy and other places. I am deeply saddened for your loss.
Janine & family: Although we have known each other only a short time, you are a part of our Guatemalan Family Network. We will miss Troy’s smile and he will be sadley missed. My deepest regrets to you and the girls.
Randy and Mary Sebastian
Janine, Jasmine, and Genely, We are so incredibly saddened to hear of Troy’s death. His tireless work on behalf of the Missouri River and all its inhabitants will never be matched or replaced. Even when we were doing clean-ups with 3 people he always used part of the time to educate and teach us about the river and conservation. I truly admired him. You are all in our thoughts.
Janine, I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. I always enjoyed interacting with Troy when we both worked at the MU Libraries, and I appreciated his dedication and good work. More recently, I would have the plesure of seeing him from time to time in the grocery store. He was a fine man who made so many contributions to important environmental causes, and he will be greatly missed.
Janine,Jasmine, and Genely, We remember with great fondness first meeting you, your parents, and Troy at the Folk Center in Mountain View, AR at the Dance Weekends. Troy always captivated us with his cheerful smile and enthusiastic dancing. We were most delighted to find you both involved with the Contradance group in in Columbia when we moved here. And it was a delight to share in your joy as new parents when Jasmine was born. And to witness that delight again when Genely joined your family. Troy always openly showed the world that he treasured you and each of his daughters in a very tender,loving, and gentle way. We loved watching you both dance with both of the girls. We are both deeply saddened by his passing and by your profound loss of a wonderful husband and father, as well as our loss of a very dear friend. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My wife Debra and I live about a mile south of where Troy Gordon lived. For the past 10 years or so, Troy has been coming to our house to trap and band hummingbirds. When he first came by with this proposition, Debra and I were somewhat skeptical. How does one safely trap, handle, measure, weigh, and band a bird that weighs about the same as a penny? We agreed to let Troy trap at our place and soon learned that he knew exactly what he was doing and knew how to do it gently and with the utmost concern for the safety and well-being of the tiny hummers. It was such a treat watching him work at something he obviously loved doing. We will miss Troy’s visits and the joy and pleasure that he, his wife Janine, and their beautiful girls shared with us. Our deepest condolences go out to all members of Troy’s family. Will Rogers had a quote that pertained specifically to dogs. I have adapted it in honor of Troy Gordon. I think Mr. Rogers would approve. “If there are no hummingbirds in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went!”.
Janine, Jasmine and Genely, Linda and I want you to know that we share your grief and sorrow over the loss of your husband and father. We will always cherish the hummingbird banding day we shared with you all at your home. That video of that day is still online at You Tube. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
Janine and family: To lose a friend of nature such as Troy is a great loss to anyone who cares for wildlife and this planet. A cry for everyone. Your feathered friends will deeply miss you, Troy. Rest in peace.
Janine, Jasmine, and Genely, I am so sorry for the pain this loss has for you. Troy was such a good man. In the ten years I worked with Troy in MU Libraries I came quickly to respect his keen intellect, his conscientiousness that went beyond the workplace, and his honesty. He cared deeply for the people and living beings of this earth. His energy and enthusiasm gave rise to a wonderful concept and organization — Friends of the Big Muddy — and I regret I didn’t spend enough time working with those good people. I will very much miss his leadership and his friendship.
Janine & Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Troy’s love and passion for family and nature will never be forgotten. Susan, Ted & Hope Worstell
Janine, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time of loss.
Janine: As you know we moved to Macedonia last July. I only just heard about Troy. I am stunned and saddened. I have kept up with Master Naturalist news through Suzanne’s and Don’s e:mails. Although I am far away, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and the girls. I’m sorry I could not join you all for the memorial service. Troy was fun to work with and his enthusiasm was infectious. I know you will greatly miss him — so will I and many, many others. He does leave a beautiful and wonderful legacy. Take care.
Dear Janine,
I first met Troy at a Big Muddy event probably 10 years ago or more. Then he started coming to contra dances and is a wonderful dance partner. then I found out that he banded hummingbirds when he presented at a River Bluffs Audubon meeting. How sad I am to hear of his passing yet how blessed I am to have known him. My heart fore out to you and Jasmine and Genely. We will all miss him. Love, Anne
Dear Janine and Girls, You are in our prayers, thoughts and we send our deepest sympathy at this most difficult time. Though we didn’t get to know Troy, it sounds as if he left many wonderful memories for all who loved and knew him. Please know that our family extends their condolences as well and all our hearts are heavy for you. May God bless you, Jasmine, Genely and all your family. We love you, honey….your friends, The Clarks
Janine,Jasmine and Genely
We were very shocked and saddened to hear of Troy’s death. We send our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love you very much.
Janine, Darry and I are so very sorry
Janine, I was shocked and very saddened by the news of Troy’s passing. I am so very very sorry. My heart goes out to you and the girls.
Janine and family- It has been many years since I have seen or spoken to you. We are so very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Dear Janine, I am so deeply saddened by this news. Troy was such a unique young man and you two were made for each other. We loved him because he loved you! And he was very sweet and talented. Troy was a great husband and father. Please know Grover and I grieve wtih you and pray for God’s strength to sustain you. He is our peace. Betty and Grover Smith
Janine & Family, we were so sad to hear of Troy’s passing. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I’m sure he had many many friends because you couldn’t help but love him once you met him. He had such enthusiasm for contradancing and passed it on to others as well. His mischieviousness teasing and playfulness was endearing. May God comfort you and keep you in his arms in the days ahead.