Gordon Burke Wilson
January 31, 1944 – March 5, 2017
Gordon Burke Wilson, 73, of College Station, Texas, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2017. Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life during a memorial service beginning at 1 p.m. Friday, March 24 at the Unitarian Universalist Church currently holding services at the TAMU Hillel Center in College Station. Cremation services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers of Bryan College Station.
Gordon was born January 31, 1944, in Germantown, Tennessee to James Gordon Wilson and Donna Ruth Randolph Wilson. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Memphis State University, now the University of Memphis. He married his wife of nearly 44 years, Deborah Farrior, on August 11, 1973, in Memphis, Tennessee.
Gordon served four years of active duty in the United States Air Force in Signal Intelligence with a top secret crypto clearance. From 1972 – 1982 he worked at WHBQ-TV, an ABC affiliate, as a news producer and staff artist. He advanced to Senior and later Executive News Producer. He held managerial and executive positions in the Memphis area at Guardsmark, Inc., The National Cotton Council, Baddour, Inc. (parent company of Fred’s Dollar Store), Time Warner Communications, Lifeblood and Keep Tennessee Beautiful where he retired in 2013. Gordon was involved in many community organizations. At different times throughout his career, he was president of the Public Relations Society of America and was named Professional of the Year in 1992. He served as president of Tennessee Cable Telecommunications, the Commission on Missing and Exploited Children, the Literacy Alliance For Memphis and Shelby County, the Rotary Club of Memphis Central and was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a Leadership Memphis Alumnus, Class of 1990. Gordon never lost his love for news and was an avid follower of local news and world events. His favorite passion was watching the University of Memphis Tigers basketball.
Gordon and Deborah moved from Memphis to College Station, Texas in 2013. He is survived by his wife, Deborah, daughter Heather Wilson-Robles and her two sons, Noah and Liam and daughter Jennifer Branum, all of College Station, Texas, his sister, Donna Armstrong and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Brazos Valley, PO Box 12372, College Station, TX 77842 or Hospice Brazos Valley, 502 West 26th St., Bryan, Texas 77802
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com
I graduated from high school with Gordon and remember him fondly. Sending my deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you so very much, Lynda. Gordon and Zeke Johnson still kept in touch. My best to you.
Heartfelt Condolences to the family. If we have faith that Jesus died and rose again, so too God (Psalms 83:18) will bring with him those who have fallen asleep in death through Jesus. 1 Th 4:14
Thank you so very much. I’m so sorry that I don’t recognize your initials PW. Gordon would know.
My best to you,
Deborah
Gordon was on my board of directors for the Commission on Missing and Exploited Children in Memphis. He could always be depended upon to come to our need whenever we called upon him. His kind spirit and exemplary community service was a tribute to what a fine man he was.
I admired him so much.
Len K. Edwards
Executive Director
Commission on Missing and Exploited Children
Len, thank you so very much. Gordon truly enjoyed his time spent on that cause.
My best to you and yours,
Deborah
Thanks for sharing the announcement with the Memphis community. It appeared in the Commercial Appeal this morning (March 19). I feel the loss along with Deborah and the family.
I remember developing the plan for his year as Memphis chapter president — and later working through that plan. I believe it was an effective year. Shortly after we won the PRSA chapter “banner” award. I picked it up at the national conference. I was very proud. I still am.
Thank you so very much, Rick. I do believe Gordon felt those were his finest years. I hope you are doing well.
My best to you and yours,
Deborah
I am so sorry to hear of Gordon’s passing. He was a very close, professional colleague and friend of mine for years. I did not know of his passing until today.
He certainly was a valued communications/public relations leader in our circles and a great resource. And he was a friend who was true and genuine.
He will be greatly missed.
Thank you so very much, Kim. Gordon was passionate about his community involvement and felt those were his finest years.
My best to you and yours,
Deborah