Memories from Others:

1. Family,
   Thank you for sharing Paul with us. You must have had some awesome private times with him. How could anyone be as joyous as Paul from sunup to sundown and beyond. Only his life explains it.
   Thank you Paul for sharing with me. Thank you for being so open and Faithful.

   ~ Jon, May 19th, 2008

2. My fondest memory of Paul happened this past October. My family was in the office and Paul greeted us in his usual warm way. After talking with him for a bit, my 2-yr old daughter Susan wanted to sing and she and Paul sang “It is Well with My Soul” together. It was both delightful and beautiful. I am thankful for the Godly legacy that Paul leaves for us all, for despite all of the good things that Paul did, Paul’s hope was not in what he had done, but what Jesus did.

   In the letter he wrote to us in March, he reminded us of his security in Christ, “The only reason I can speak so confidently is because of God’s grace. The Bible says that we all fall short of God’s standards. I am only made right with God because the penalty that belongs to me was paid by Jesus!”

   Paul’s words bring another hymn to mind:
   “Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
   not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
   Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
   not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.

   Thy work alone O Christ, can ease this weight of sin;
   thy blood alone, O Lamb of God, can give me peace within.
   Thy love to me, O God, not mine, O Lord, to thee,
   can rid me of this dark unrest, and set my spirit free.”

   To the Gordon family, we know that the pain, though temporal, is still very real and we trust in the “God of all comforts, who comforts us in all our affliction;” but we also say triumphantly, “O death, where is your victory? O death where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 1:3-4; 1 Cor. 15:55-57)

   ~ Dan Simpson, PMT, May 19th, 2008

3. I had the pleasue to speak with Paul on a couple occasions. The most recent was at the OV Annual Meeting where I had the great honor to escort Paul, Dottie and other family members from each of the departmental meetings. When I was wheeling Paul from the Sales, Marketing and Administration meeting to the next room, people on the aisles were reaching out to shake his hand. It was evident that people were truly grateful that he was a part of their meeting, maybe even wishing he could stay a while longer. When I wheeled him into the Warehouse meeting, everyone gave him a standing ovation. The same is true for the Transportation meeting. I know first hand that he was happy to be at our Annual Meeting and that he was the one who felt honored to shake the hands of the Gold Club and Team winners.

   Paul will be greatly missed. God Bless the Gordon Family.

   ~ Karen Faust ~ Ohio Valley Divison, May 19th, 2008

4. A mental image of Paul Gordon was burned into me early in my career at GFS. It proved to be a defining expression of the man I came to know and treasure.

   It was captured on a snowy late afternoon in the middle of winter almost 30 years ago. After a long day on the road, I was walking across the employee parking lot back to the office when I noticed the players. On one side of the lot a Hi-Lo from the garage was having trouble gaining traction on the snow and ice. From the other side of the lot walked Paul Gordon. A heavy business dress topcoat covered his large frame. His head was lowered for protection from the elements, and he was deep in thought. What happened next has been recalled many times over the years. Within stride, he lowered his shoulder onto the frame of the spinning machine. The Hi-Lo immediately gained momentum to the stunned surprise of the driver. A smile came across his face as he looked back at Paul Gordon, the source of the boost.

   Many periods in my life I felt my “wheels were spinning.” I have received a boost recalling the stored image of Paul Gordon “dropping a shoulder” to navigate through the challenging times.

   ~ Sam Woolpert, Grand Rapids Transportation, May 19th, 2008

5. I have worked at GFS for only 2-1/2 years. I had the privilege of meeting Paul when he spoke at our Orientation in (2005). After he spoke and at the end of the Orientation I thought what a wonderful place this is going to be to work for. Paul made me feel so Welcome and Important that day. In the months that passed I would meet him in the hall and was surprised as so many others that he remembered my name. What a Special Gift that is but only one of the many that he possessed. The funeral was a wondeful tribute to God and Paul. It was very thoughtful of (you), The Gordon Family to have a screen set up so that the employees that could not attend the funeral in person were given the opportunity to see it Live in the 420 Building.
   My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you Dottie and the whole Gordon Family. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and in the difficult days ahead.
   Paul was a wonderful man with a generous heart. He impacted all of us here at GFS. Even though Paul is gone from this world he will never be forgotten. He will be missed tremendously.

   ~ Diane Hale, Bid Department, May 19th, 2008

6. Every time you were able to have interaction with Paul was always very memorable. I was one of the lucky ones to have 1 on 1 time with Paul either at breakfast or lunch and it was always a special treat. I am very blesses to be part of such a great organization.

   ~ LuAnn Gray, May 19th, 2008

7. Growing up as a GFS baby has been a blessing. And most likely if you are one you will end up working here too!! =) I started working in the Marketplace at age 16 and one of my first customers while training was sure enough Paul Gordon. He took a look at me and said ” I remember when you were this tall”- holding his hand about at knee level. He said i told you- you would work here one day. After I went home and told my mom about it (just to see if it was a true story)~ sure enough it was. His memory was fantastic! After i had my daughter he looked at her and said here is another GFS employee!
   Something tells me…he’s right. =)

   He’s on a band wagon to Heaven saving us all a seat! May your journey be a peaceful one.

   ~ Lillie Woodwyk~ Chain Accounts, May 19th, 2008

8. I began my career with GFS in the summer of 1988. Like many other Brighton Warehouse employees I first met Paul Gordon by the form of a firm hanshake in my own work area. Back then the strength of Paul`s handshake compared to mine seemed pretty overwhelming. What always impressed me the most was his interest in you and the fact he would always end any conversation with a “THANKS we couldn`t do it without you.” I can`t speak for all the veterans here on the Brighton Campus, but I gotta hunch that there are many here that have a special place in their heart for Paul. If there was one thing that stuck out the most about Paul was his ability to share how important it was to remind our customers as well as each employee that the difference between GFS and the competition were the employees at GFS. From answering the phone correctly, to picking the right case, tailoring a 1st class delivery for each and every customer, and most importantly thanking our customers for their business. All of us here at GFS play a key role in the success of our organization and Paul through his story telling would remind us that one role was no more important then any other.
   After receiving and sharing with my own family Paul`s letter that was released about 6 weeks ago I could not help but think to myself what a Powerful Testimony this one man has had to all he has come into contact with for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. On behalf of my Wife, two children, and myself our family would like to extend our Thanks for the example that has been so freely given. God Bless You Paul as well as you Dottie. Leslie and I will continue to keep you Dottie and the whole Gordon family in our daily prayers.

   ~ Bill Van Atten Brighton Transportation Asst. Manager, May 19th, 2008

9. Rest in peace!

   ~ Warehousing - Florida Division, May 19th, 2008

10. I first met Paul Gordon in 2007. I arrived in the parking lot at GFS Headquarters early one morning for a meeting with Jim Gordon & Tony Groll. As I was walking up to the front entrance, I noticed an elderly gentleman sitting on the front stairs tinkering with some small mechanical object. He was dressed in dark gray working pants and matching working shirt so I assumed he was a maintenance person for the company. I remember thinking that it was a bit inappropriate for a maintenence man to be sitting on the front stairs doing his job but his loud, “Good Morning, Young Man” quickly disarmed me. We exchanged some thoughts and he warmed my heart with some encouraging remarks. I told him I had to move on so I went inside to present myself to the receptionist inside. It was only then that she informed me that I had just been speaking to Paul Gordon. What a great reminder it was to me about judging people by what you first see and being kind to everyone you encounter - you never know.

    ~ Jim Hunter - Author of "The Servant", May 19th, 2008

11. just to let you no this man is a good man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ~ Anonymous, May 19th, 2008

12. I was thankful to be able to invite my father to attend the Winner’s Circle trip last fall, after my wife had our 3rd child just a few weeks before. One morning at the resort, Dad and I enjoyed some great stories around the breakfast table with Paul and Dottie Gordon. It was a special time to learn a little bit more about the two of them and feel the great love and appreciation they have for their business family at GFS.
    As soon as I heard, I shared the news of Paul’s passing with my family. I would like to extend our sympathies and condolences to the Gordons in this time of grief. But we also rejoice with them in knowing Paul’s blessed assurance and the enduring legacy of his faithfulness to God!

    ~ Mark Sulka, GLW, May 19th, 2008

13. Legacy.
    Each time I reflect on the impact of Paul, and the rest of the Gordon family, I hear the word legacy echo in my mind.

    It’s amazing to work within an organization that inspires me to raise the bar of integrity, character, and faith not only in my professional life, but personally as well.

    I was profoundly impacted by the testimony of Paul’s life. Immediately after the memorial service I made the decision to recommit my life to Christ. Having grown up in the church I found my “first love” falling by the wayside. The next step was for me to end a relationship that was inappropriate beginning again on this journey with Jesus Christ as the primary relationship in my life.

    I’m so thankful for the opportunity I have to work here at GFS, a company truly grounded in Christian principles and values.

    Thank you, Paul, for setting the example for those who come behind you to carry on your legacy of service and ministry. May we all continue to reach out and gently touch the lives of others no matter where we are in our journey so that others may know the One who loves us the most.

    ~ Anonymous, May 19th, 2008

14. Paul made a huge imprint on the lives of many, weather you only met him once breifly, or were a long time freind. He will be truly missed. My heart goes out the the Gordon family, but also to the many employees new to the company who never had the opportunity to meet Paul. I feel they are missing out the most. His spirit lives with GFS always.

    ~ Anonymous, May 19th, 2008

15. What more can be said about our beloved leader. Paul just had a presence about him, whether he was standing right beside you or in another state. I do remember every food show Paul would come up to me and ask how I was doing from my car accident and ask how my family was calling by their names. I always want to do my best for him and this great company. He will be truly missed, but he has given the correct call to arms for the rest of the family, immediate and the extended GFS family. Dottie this is not good-bye but we WILL see him again in heaven.

    ~ Mike Bush Traverse City Store Manager, May 19th, 2008

16. As a high school student I started working in the 50th st. warehouse at the age of 17. One evening I saw Paul walking thru the warehouse towards me and he stopped and said hello to me by name. This blew me away that he would even know my name much less take the time to chat for a minute. YThis left a very positive memory of Paul that I will carry with me always. He really cared about his “Family at GFS”

    ~ Keith Pell, May 19th, 2008

17. Paul Gordon was truly a people loving, God fearing, generous man. I remember many nights when Paul would come in to visit with us employees who worked on 3rd shift in the whse. just to let us know that we were important to the organization and share some jokes, a smile, a firm handshake, or a good laugh, Paul knew most everyone’s name and if he did’nt recognize you he would make an extra effort to say ‘Hello” and “Welcome Aboard” and just make you feel special! I remember when one employee mentioned that he did’nt get paid the proper amt. Paul took out his wallet, apologized, and asked how much $ he felt he had been shorted. When 50th was the only DC and people parked in the muddy Consumers lot, I remember Paul parking there in a rain storm and walking through the mud like everyone
    else. I had a great respect for Paul and he’s one of the reasons I still work for Gordon Foods after so many years. God Bless you Paul, you were one of a kind!

    ~ Anonymous, May 19th, 2008