Gordon Lee Dunahoe  1938-2021

Gordon Lee Dunahoe, born April 5, 1938 in Crow, went home to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 25, 2021. He was preceded by his parents, Willie Lee and Anna Lou Dunahoe. He is survived by his beloved wife, Draper Dunahoe; his sister, Jean York and her husband Frank; children, Laurea Irving and husband Chip, Lance Dunahoe and his wife Danielle, and Vance Dunahoe; and grandchildren, Landon, Gavin, Caleb and Ela. 

Gordon grew up in hard times in Crow. He did not consider himself poor, despite that there was no electricity or indoor plumbing in his childhood home. It was the norm of the day. He was guided by the strong principles of his grandmother, and as a young boy worked the farm with his father and went to church with his mother. 

Gordon was always independent and entrepreneurial and at age 15, hitch-hiked his way to work the wheat harvest in Kansas where he spent the next two summers. After his senior year and inspired by his father’s military service to the US Army, Gordon volunteered for the US Marine Corps. He excelled in training and was at the top of his class in Marine Corps Sea School. He was selected for prime duty serving the Navy Vice Admiral Robert L. Dennison and Admiral Libby. He was recommended for the Naval Academy but was prohibited due to color blindness. 

Gordon worked through college on a limited football scholarship at Southern State College in Arkansas. There, he married Relda, the mother of his beloved children, Laurea and Lance. They moved to Dallas, where they attended graduate school at SMU. Gordon worked at Pillsbury, then soon went into sales for the Johnson and Johnson hospital division. This was the beginning of an extensive and very successful career spanning decades with medical manufacturing companies. He was well known for his quick country wit and unique ability to relate to anyone (and locate every great restaurant in the South). He ultimately retired from Kimberly Clark after receiving highest sales awards and highest respect from his peers. 

In midlife, Gordon was born again and later called into Christian ministry. He met his faithful and loving wife Draper and enjoyed 46 wonderful years of marriage, ministry and travel. Gordon loved fishing and good music, which are passions shared by their son, Vance. He was an avid gardener and at one time had one of the most beautiful peach orchards in East Texas. 

Through teaching, prison ministry, and later pastoring the Community Church in Crow, Gordon has served our Lord faithfully since 1984. In his final days, he continued to care for and minister to others despite his own health challenges. Jesus changed his life, and he wanted to share that love. 

Gordon will be deeply missed, but we are comforted by the words he often shared, “One day at a time, Sweet Jesus.” 

Visitation was held from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021 at Beaty Funeral Home, Mineola. 

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29 at Beaty Funeral Home with Pastor Jim Clark officiating. Pallbearers were Lance Dunahoe, Vance Dunahoe, Chip Irving, Johnnie Stokes, Teno Barriga and Jerry Huff. Private family graveside followed at Ray Cemetery, Hawkins.

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations can be made to the Bridges for Peace Foundation, https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/ or the Oasis of Hollywood, https://www.oasisofhollywood.org.