Memories from Others:

1. I have had the honor of talking with Paul and Dottie several times over the years at Annual Meetings and have been impressed with them and the entire Gordon family. I am thankful that God brought me and my family into contact with Paul and his family. We have been more than blessed. I mourn for our loss but I celebrate Paul’s life and the lives that he has touched during his time here on this earth. Peace and Blessings.

   ~ John Willoughby, May 11th, 2008

2. Just wanted to say what a wonderful and kind man Paul Gordon was. I would see Paul only at the annual meetings and he would always remember my name and smile and say “how are you Bob” although I would only see him about every other year. I can still see Paul dressed up in the ZZ Top outfit and singing “We got Food” and playing his guitar. I also remember the “Whazzzup’ skit with the Gordon family. It was hilarious. Paul exemplifies what generosity is. My wife and I were so saddened to hear of Paul’s passing but we know he is on the right hand of the Lord and looking down on us all. He will be missed. Our prayer are with Pauls family.

   ~ Bob and Kay Woodling, May 11th, 2008

3. It was always a treat to visit with Paul Gordon. He had a way about him that no one else had. He made you feel like family. I always looked forward to his speaches. He always had something great to say, but he also made you laugh all the way through it. I think he was one of the most funniest men I ever knew. This past year, in December, at the Annual meeting in Columbus, he was at the top of his game. He was cracking one joke after another and at one point he just stopped, turned around, looked at the screen behind him, and laugh at himself. I feel honored that I was able to know such a great man and that I work for such a great company. I will truly miss Paul and the way he made me laugh. Thank you, Paul and God bless you and your family at this time.

   ~ Vera Bretz, CDS Cleveland, May 11th, 2008

4. Our family’s memory of Paul will be of his engaging personality and his larger than life laugh. When Paul would speak to us, he truly made us feel special. The philosophies and principles that Paul believes in have created an organization that we are proud to be associated with.

   ~ With great respect,, May 11th, 2008

5. Sometimes, every so rarely, a person touches your world in such a way that you are indelibly marked by their persona. Paul Gordon was such a man for me. When I came to work for GFS over 10 years ago, it was at one of my lowest points in my life, and GFS and the family took a chance on me. At that time, I didn’t know what it was to work in an environment where principles like the Cornerstone Values were lived each day, and didn’t just hang on a wall. I learned what Culture meant, where Teamwork happened, and that Everyone Was Important. I learned that Christian Values and Business did mix and work together causing the greatest of all synergies. Every time I had the privilege to talk to Paul over the years, he impressed me so because he truly listened. He cared about others and what they had to say. He embodied GFS Culture.

   Last year our team had the honor of getting our picture taken with Dottie and Paul on the last day of Winner’s Circle. That photo is displayed in my office and is one of my most prized possessions. I look at it often, but when times might get a little rocky, and see that infectious smile of Paul’s, it encourages me to press on. For each of us, to truly honor Paul, is to continue to keep his legacy alive by living and teaching the Culture that he professed and lived each and everyday to others.

   God Bless you Paul….you will be missed but never forgotten. We will carry on your Legacy as best we can.

   ~ Bill and Kathy Tschida, May 11th, 2008

6. I enjoyed the few times I chatted with Paul over the years — he was an interesting person to talk with — sincere but with a sense of humor! I appreciated his friendliness.
   I rejoice with you that Paul is enjoying the glories of heaven but also grieve with you in losing the presence of someone you so very dearly loved.

   ~ Gloria Baker, May 11th, 2008

7. I fortunate to have worked a supplier to GFS for approximately 25 years, and in that time I have made many trips to GFS offices, facilities and shows. Throughout those years it has been that ‘infectious’ smile, that welcoming handshake, those kind and gentle words of wisdom, the hearty laugh, and the feeling of ‘belonging to the GFS Family’. Paul never forgot a name or a face, he never forgot his roots, and he never failed to make us all feel like we were the most special person that he ever met. In short he was a wonderful man, and always a touch of class! What a role model for all of us in the industry to follow.

   ~ Rick Mier, Sugar Foods Corporation, May 11th, 2008

8. What can one say that hasn’t been said already?

   “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, for they rest from their labors”

   Your labors have produced good fruit, Paul.

   Thank You!

   ~ anonymous, May 11th, 2008

9. What a wonderful tribute and a beautiful way to celebrate the life of Uncel Paul. Uncle Paul touched so many lives. He loved so many people, and was loved by so many people. This picture of Uncle Paul truely captures his smile, his laugh, and his love of life. He always had a way of having “fun” and having a good laugh, which I can still hear now! He was such a warm and generous person! Uncle Paul’s service to the company, to his familiy, and his loving Savior will be inspiration to so many and will live on forever! I can picture him now dancing at the feet of his Savior, Jesus in heaven!

   ~ Rachel Borich (Des Moines, IA), May 11th, 2008

10. forgot to add my company name below can you please add thanks Val Chumney Michaels and Associates

    ~ val Chumney Michaels and Associates, May 11th, 2008

11. One of my fondest memories of Mr. Gordon was back in the late 1980’s and we were attending a GFS Golf customer / vendor golf outing in Indianapolis . He had ripped him pants and approached me and asked if I had a needle and thread, I did not and told him that unfortunately I never had learned how to sew and I suggested that he use a stapler to mend his pants , He proceeded to find a stapler and and we all laughed about his mending job all day .

    Over the next twenty years that I been working with GFS , every time time I saw Paul in the offices or out in the field the first question he usually asked if me was *If I had learned how to sew yet * and we always shared a good chuckle.

    Such a wonderful person he will missed by many. My sympathies to the entire GFS family.

    ~ Val Chumney, May 11th, 2008

12. I don’t think Paul ever did anything small. One Christmas, Paul and Dottie along with some of their children and grandchildren journeyed to Ethiopia. Along with a keen interest in seeing what God was doing in that part of the world, they came prepared to bless each one they met. Our kids still talk of the surprise Christmas party Paul and the family threw for all the Ethiopian missionary kids. That kind of thoughtfulness, generosity, and celebration of life earmarked every aspect of Paul’s life. He loved His God with great abandon and loved all the people God gave him throughout the world. Not only did he exhibit those qualities in his fun, gregarious way he accomplished the amazing feat of passing those traits on to his children and his grandchildren. I can’t imagine what kind of celebration welcomed him into Heaven, but I do know their gain is truly our loss. As we rejoice over a life well lived, we are also asking the God of all comfort to be with Dottie and their entire family.

    With love,
    Joe and Kay Harding
    SIM/Sports Friends, USA & Ethiopia

    ~ Anonymous, May 11th, 2008

13. My heart is filled with memories of all the Gordon Family. It is very difficult to put into writting any of them. Words just don’t seem to come. The tears fall freely each time I try to express them on paper. This would seem strange to an outsider, but reading the many outpouring of memories and thoughts from the individuals that have known Paul Gordon, I am not alone. He has made an impact on so many lives. For this, the Gordon Family can be proud. This is his Legacy. We as individuals have been driven to care about this company and this family as our own due to their caring for us.
    My husband Jon and I have been sharing memories together over the last several days of this amazing man. We are laughing one moment and then the tears. Our prayers are with the Family. May God bless you all. For he has Blessed us with each of you.

    ~ Cheryl and Jon Satterfield / Florida, May 11th, 2008

14. We will both miss Paul deeply. We still remember the first time we met Paul. Ron had been working at GFS all of 2 months at the time when we attended our first annual meeting. When we got there, everyone had already gone into the meeting room. As we were rushing to get in, Paul stopped us and greeted us (in that wonderfully unique voice!) as if he had known us all our lives. In spite of the meeting starting shortly, it felt like talking with us was the most important thing for him to do. We were touched by his genuine warmth and caring right from the start. Since then, we’ve both enjoyed each opportunity to talk with Paul and to hear from him through the many videos (both serious and humorous). No matter what, his strong faith and commitment to the Lord always came through, and has been an inspiration to us.

    Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Gordon family.

    ~ Ron & Cathy Hull, May 11th, 2008

15. I came to work GFS in 1995 and had the oppurtunity to meet Paul and Dottie during a Winners Circle trip, my wife Lynn and myself got the biggest kick out of watching Paul walk the room taking pictures of everyone with a little throw away Kodak camera, laughing and smiling with everyone. He always took time out to talk to all of us. He truely ” walked the walk”. His faith in the good Lord above was amazing.I could go on and on about what Paul Gordon meant to all of us. I would like to thank Paul and the rest of the Gordon family for providing me the oppurtunity to take care of my family. May God bless Paul, Dottie and the rest of the Gordon family—-you will always have a special place in mine and Lynn’s heart.

    ~ Pete Sargent CDS, May 11th, 2008

16. The first time l met Mr. Gordon was when the Gordon family first purchased Neptune Foodservice,at the time l was a DSR and was introduced to him in one of our hallways by Frank Geier. At that point not truly knowing the man our the Gordon family l thought to myself well chances are that will be the first and last time he will ever recognize me (how wrong l was). Some time had passed and Mr Gordon’s next visit to the West Coast we crossed paths again and with no one to prompt his memory he with that Mr. Gordon smile stuck out his hand and said “Mark Marshall how are you doing” with the number of people he would meet in a day never mind a year l was amazed. At that point l started to truly understand the commitment to people that he had.
    To the Gordon family my thoughts and prayers are with you.

    ~ Mark Marshall, Vancouver BC, May 11th, 2008

17. Paul Gordon- Servant Leader. I am so honored to have had the opportunity to work for the Gordon Family for over 17 years. What other billion dollar company can you walk up to to the head of the Family and start a conversation? I think my favorite memories are the skits that Paul, John, Dan, Jim and John jr. used do. ZZ Top, Wuz Up ?, to name a couple. Paul, there’s no question in my mind my precious Son Dean met you at the gate last Tuesday and said ” Hi Mr. Gordon. My Dad works for you. Welcome to Paradise!

    ~ Scott LeCompte- Indianapolis, May 11th, 2008

18. I met Mr Gordon at a food show in Chicago. I was very new to the Gordon Food Services family of customers but I could tell right away why Ty Troy, the person that handled our companies account, was as pleasant and accommodating as he was. You could tell the culture that Mr. Gordon created had influenence everyone that represented his company. Though I had nothing to do with our company joining the GFS family, I can say that I would recommend GFS to anyone who ask.

    I can remember telling Ty Troy about the “Feed the Need” program that we have at our church. We were trying to find out how we could take advantage of food that would be wasted at GFS. In short, Ty had the opportunity to share our vision with Mr. Gordon who didn’t think twice about donating to our program. Im sure many others have benefitted from acts of kindness simular to this one.

    My prayers go out to the Gordon family, and the Gordon Foodservices family. An “Angel” has finished his work and gone home!

    God Bless..

    ~ Dennis Allen, May 11th, 2008

19. My memories of Paul go back over two decades. Like so many others in the Food Service Industry I am far better both professionally and personally for having known him. May we all strive every day to be a little more like Paul Gordon. Imagine how better off this Industry and this world would be. May God bless and watch over the Gordon family as they cope with the loss of this gentle man.

    ~ Mike Roach, May 11th, 2008

20. You will be deeply missed, Paul. I remember sitting down in the 420 conference room for my group orientation. Paul was the last speaker of many that came in and spoke to us about GFS. After his presentation, the meeting adjourned and Paul proceeded to make his way around the room, meeting everyone that attended. He made his way over to me and asked where I was from, what market I would be working out of, as well as who was our greatest competitor. I introduced myself and told him that Bunn Capital was the main competitor in our market, as they had been around for many years and was local. Paul looked me in the eyes and asked, “Do you think we should buy them”? I’ll never forget the chuckle we both had over that! So many great statements can be made about Paul, but the one that resonates with me is genuine. He had a way of relating to people and truly cared for everyone he touched. God Bless and Thank You Paul!

    ~ Fred A. Morgan Milwaukee/Madison Region, May 11th, 2008

21. I was working nights at GFS going on maybe my first year there and Paul came down to the packing area and struck up a conversation with me, I was amazed when he asked me how each and every member (calling them by thier first names) was. I thought to myself I didn’t think he even knew who I was? I had lost my previous job to a union strike and I knew from our conversation that my career at GFS was very secure. 24 years later I’m still grateful to Paul and all the rest of the Gordon family for providing me the opportunity to have employment that has allowed me to take care of my family.

    ~ Bob DeLano, May 11th, 2008

22. Dear Gordon family,
    All of us have such wonderful memories of Paul. I have many but will share my first and last.

    My first - 1977 - right out of college. My room mate had been Maggie Day, Paul’s neighbor and Joyce’s friend. Paul taught me the business as a Dad would. Little did I know how fortunate I was and how special
    he was. I left GFS in 1980 - took me till 2004 to “come back home”. I am so blessed to have been warmly welcomed back by Paul.

    My last memory is the summer of 2007. My dad was dropping off paperwork at GFS for me. From our lobby I saw my dad and Paul walking and talking together - about WWII, retirement age etc. I told them they were my 2 favorite guys. And so I remember Paul - figuratively and literally standing beside my dad.

    With much love a,d admiration

    ~ Mari + Rick Wielopolski, May 11th, 2008

23. Your warm smile, firm handshake, and hearty laugh will be missed. Even though I have spent very little time face to face with you I know that I am a better man just from knowing you. You have inspired so many people in so many ways I can only hope that from that inspiration that I may inspire one person from what I have learned from your lrgacy.
    My family prays that Dottie and the entire Gordon Family will find comfort in each other, and knowing that we all will meet again in the home of our Lord Jesus Christ.
    Memories are one thing that death can not destroy.

    ~ Duane Luecke Central States Division, May 11th, 2008