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Posted: Dec 29, 2021 5:28 AMUpdated: Dec 31, 2021 6:36 AM

Former Bartlesville City Manager Ed Gordon Passes Away

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Tom Davis
 
Former Bartlesville City Manager Ed Gordon passed away on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
 
Bartlesville Mayor Dale Copeland had this to say about Ed Gordon:
 
"Ed Gordon’s death Tuesday was a terrific loss, not only for me personally, but for our community.  I have known him for almost 50 years now.  Over a span of decades he had served in so many ways – from starting and pastoring churches, wiring buildings as an able electrician, knowing (it seemed) where every single manhole cover in Bartlesville connected and as perhaps one of the best city managers in the state.  He was, first and foremost, a follower of Christ and it guided everything he said and did.  Everyone thought they were his favorite (but really I was).  We will not be able to fill those shoes and must now join together to fill the gaps he left behind.  
 
He leaves a legacy of two fine sons and their wives, five grandsons and a granddaughter, all whom he loved dearly.
 
Obviously, we are thinking of his family during their time of loss and trying to help them however we can. Ultimately I appreciate the time we had Ed and his wife, Janie, with us, but that time has ended now. We will miss them, but this too is a part of life and I think we’ll understand in God’s good time. Our community is a better place because of their time and investment in it."
 
LISTEN AS MAYOR DALE COPELAND REMEMBERS ED GORDON
 
Gordon had been employed with the City of Bartlesville since 1991 and has served as city manager since 2006. He served previously as Wastewater Department supervisor (1991-2000 and Public Works director (2000-2006).
 
LISTEN AS JULIE DANIELS TALKS ABOUT ED GORDON
 
After a 27-year career with the City of Bartlesville, City Manager Ed Gordon officially retired on August 1, 2018.
 

Gordon was born in Bay City, Texas, and raised at the Sweeny Refinery in Old Ocean, Texas, and in Bartlesville. And there was a stint in Borger, Texas. His dad was a design engineer for Phillips, and they moved him around.

 

Ed graduated from College High. There was only one high school then, and just a couple of years after that they split that and opened up Sooner. He graduated in 1966.

 

Gordon went from Northeastern A&M, where he did his basics, and spent one year at Oklahoma State University.

 

When he left Oklahoma State, he went to work for Cities Service Oil Company first in Land and Geological. Shortly afterward, he joind the Army in 1970 and was honorably discharged in 1975.

 

When he got out of the Army, Ed finished his education in 1976 at what was called then Bartlesville Wesleyan College where his major was education.

 

He later attended seminary at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis. He joined on staff as associate pastor at Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis — one of the largest Southern Baptist churches in the world.

 

Gordon began working for the City of Bartlesville at the Sewer Plant. He then they moved to operations and was promoted and given different job opportunities. When (then police chief) Steve Brown became city manager, he promoted Ed as director of Public Works.

 

Mr. Gordon was asked to serve as interim city manager following the resignation of Steve Brown. And he was promoted to the permanent position on April 1, 2006, when (now State Senator) Julie Daniels was Mayor.

 

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 4, 2022, at 10am at First Baptist Church in Bartlesville at the East Sanctuary under the direction of Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be Sunday, January 2, 2022 and Monday, January 3, 2022, from 9am to 8pm at Stumpff Funeral Home and Crematory at 1600 SE Washington, Bartlesville, OK. 

 
 
 This story will be updated.

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