Gordon Eldon Tower Sr., 85, of Hersey, went to be with Jesus on Sunday, November 23rd, surrounded by his loving family.

Gordon was the loving husband of Linda May Tower for 64 years. He was a devoted father to Lonnie (Lynette) Tower, Sue (Wayne) Steffes, Gordon (Angie) Tower Jr., and Shari (Doug) Johnson. He was a proud grandfather to Jeffrey Tower, Jennifer Tower, Nicole Tower, Kristina Jennings, Jason Rizor, Amandalyn Johnson, Dalton Kuklewski, Joshua Steffes, Troy Steffes, Gordon Tower III, Adam Tower, Chelsea Jeffery, Alex Tower, and Douglas Johnson. He was also a loving great-grandfather to 29 great-grandchildren, including his namesake, Gordon IV.

Gordon was born December 28, 1939, in Reed City, Michigan, to Elmer A. Tower and Ina May (McCain) Tower. He grew up with a strong work ethic, a close family, and a deep love for the simple things in life. On October 9, 1961, he married the love of his life, Linda May (Aspinall). They had known each other since childhood—neighbors, friends, and eventually soulmates. Gordon loved telling the story about how Linda lived up the hill from him and how they created a path between their homes, a path that truly did lead them into a lifetime of love.

Gordon attended a one-room schoolhouse on Sylvan Road in Evart until the 10th grade, when he left school to begin working. From peeling potatoes on the Badger in Ludington at age 17, to working at the Pulp Wood plant in Evart, the Salt Plant in Midland (where he met his lifelong friend James Estep), American Seating in Grand Rapids (where he met another lifelong friend and bowling partner Bob Hofmeyer), and eventually Wynalda Litho, Gordon worked hard his entire life. He retired in 1999 but didn’t slow down for a minute. He worked later at Walmart in Big Rapids and then at Vic’s Grocery in Reed City. Even at 75, you could still find him on a roof or fixing something for a friend. Gordon simply never stopped helping people.

Serving God and the church mattered deeply to Gordon. While raising his family in Evart, he served faithfully at Evangel Assembly of God as a song leader and Sunday School teacher. After moving to Cedar Springs in 1972, he stayed committed to serving and became a proud 20-year member of the American Legion Post 287. Later, he became a member at Church of the Rock in Greenville, where he went on a mission trip to Belize to help build homes for families in need. After retirement, Gordon and Linda returned to Hersey, and he once again attended Evangel Assembly of God, serving as an usher and groundskeeper. He took great pride in keeping the church lawn beautiful. In 2017, he began attending New Beginnings Fellowship Church, serving faithfully alongside his son, Pastor Gordon Tower Jr., as a greeter and usher.

Gordon loved people with his whole heart. He was known for his big smile, his strong handshake, his love for country music, and the way he could make anyone laugh. He had a playful way of “picking on” people that made them feel loved. He was always ready to help, fix what was broken, or brighten someone’s day without being asked.

He loved to travel, enjoyed family vacations, and especially loved being a grandpa—wrestling with the kids, telling stories, hunting, and fishing. His family was his absolute joy, and he poured his life into them generously, with love, humor, and strength.

Gordon leaves behind a legacy of faith, hard work, kindness, and laughter. That legacy lives on in his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and all who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed, but he will also be joyfully remembered.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda Tower; children Lonnie, Sue Gordon Jr., and Shari; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great grandchildren; his sister Nancy Bodman, and numerous family and friends.

Funeral services will take place at 3:00 P.M. at the New Beginnings Church, located at 139 W. Church St. in Reed City with visitation starting at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, November 28, 2025.