Memories from Others:

1. Paul’s legacy will be the number of people’s lives he has touched and as a result made better. His love and passion was genuine. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work for him, get to know him and learn from him. He was a true a great leader, leading by example.
   Paul God bless you. I will miss you.

   ~ Vito Manzella, May 14th, 2008

2. The fondest memory I have of paul is during our open house in springfield. I was walking my family around showing them the warehouse and introducing them to some of my co-workers and new friends I had made in the first couple weeks of production. When I noticed paul was coming to meet my daughter I new this because his eyes were focused on her. The key to this story is my daughter is hadicapped and is in a wheelchair and paul was going out of his way to make her feel special that night. I new then I was working for a very special person, Thank you for everything you will be very missed

   ~ Dennis Chaffin II, Springfield, May 14th, 2008

3. To the family of Paul my deepest regards. I was fortunate to have had the opportunity to share warehouses thoughts with your Dad on several occasions when I worked for Super Valu Stores and their Harrrison House Foodservice Group before it was sold to PYA/ Monarch. I later had the honor to visit several of his locations when I was with PYA//Monarch a division of Sara Lee.

   Paul was definetely a leader in the Foodservice Industry and he set the “bar” very high if you wanted to compete with his great organization.

   ~ Bob Schauer, May 14th, 2008

4. Things I remember about Paul:

   He parked across the tracks and made the long walk to the 333 building…no special parking for him. He also did not drive a special more expensive car than other managers at GFS even though he deserved to. He was also funny and did not mind being picked on…I remember all of the videos made for annual meetings or other special events that featured the Gordon family. It seemed like he was the easiest to be picked on.

   He was a true servant.

   ~ Anonymous, May 14th, 2008

5. I am a grandchild of Paul’s and wanted to share something that my Uncle Dan read during this past Easter when we had all gathered as a family. It was from a daily devotional and it explained grandpa so well. A special thank you to everyone for their continued prayers. We have felt your love!

   “Even to your old age, I am He, and even to gray hairs I will carry you! I have made, and I will bear; even I will carry, and will deliver you. The Lord knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. Love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days. O God, You have taught me from my youth; and to this day I declare Your wondrous works. Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, do not forsake me, until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

   ~ Melissa Metzger, Granddaughter, May 14th, 2008

6. I have to share this… I have only met Paul 2 times from my hire date of last year and he was very charming, warm hearted and I could tell he was a very loving person. During his Memorial Service I was very touched by the Doxology song and the story of the family singing that every night with him during his time of suffering. This was the first time I had actually heard this song sang and did not know the words but was clinging on to each word while the family sang! I am in Choir at my church and we are leading Worship this Sunday so I went to the church yesterday to pick up my music and would you know the very first song we are singing Sunday is Doxology!! I feel very privileged to be able to share this song with the congregation and able to share this story with you, for I know Paul really means he wants to see us again and I think this is his way of proving what he meant and to touch someone in question with their relationship with the Lord. Isn’t our God an awesome God! God bless you all and Paul until we meet again!!

   ~ Jennifer Knapp (CSD), May 14th, 2008

7. When I started working at GFS ten years ago, I was surprised to see Paul Gordon in the hallway, stopping and talking with everyone that passed by. He stopped me, asked my name, what I did for the company and what work I was currently doing. It was obvious he was genuinely interested in who I was and what I was doing.

   I saw him several other times and he always stopped to talk.

   I make it a point to thank the Gordon family when I see them at the Annual Meeting, and for bringing Jesus Christ to the party. Paul made it a point to share his faith and how important it was to the company. Paul, Dottie, my wife and I talked for probably fifteen minutes at the Annual meeting. I often marvel at how, at such a big company, he had time to spend and make an impression on so many.

   Even now, he is putting his faith in action, through these memories of his life, his letter to his employees and his message to all of us at the memorial service and his “passing of the mantel”. The Gordon Family brought tears to my eyes at the end of the memorial service. Everyone at the broadcast location stood and those that were able sang along. I am so blessed to be a part of the GFS family and to have experienced the wonderful example of Paul Gordon’s life here on earth!

   I look forward to seeing you again.

   Matthew 25:21

   ~ Anonymous, May 14th, 2008

8. The first time that my wife and I met Paul Gordon he was a member of the Board of Trustees for HCJB World radio. We were fairly new missionaries and along with the rest of the staff in Elkhart, Indiana were invited to join the board for a diner at a very nice restaurant. there was an empty chair next to my wife and this man with a very deep voice came over and sat down. He said to my wife “Do you know why I sat down next to you” she said “no”. He said “I want your pie”. We had a great laugh!!!! He spent the rest of the diner time with us and by the end of the meal he was no longer Mr. Gordon, he was Paul. What a blessing to have known such a wonderful man and true servant of God. Our condolences to the Gordon family on their temporary loss. There is great joy in heaven, one of the chosen servants has come home.

   Tracy & Gitti Forbes (HCJB)

   ~ Anonymous, May 14th, 2008

9. I was moved as I read thru the various yet similar experiences that many have had when they have had contact with Paul Gordon. I could relate to every fabulous story of how he touched our lives. And then those closest to him @ the Memorial service reiterated the consistent ways he impacted those around him. It reminds me of how I have fallen short in so many ways, and yet his legacy challanges me to love people more, to be more sincere, and prioritize those things that really matter in life.
   I am so humbled to have the opportunity to work for GFS. This is truly a blessed company.

   ~ Anonymous, May 14th, 2008

10. It’s hard to imagine the Grand Rapids Office without Paul’s smiles and laughter!

    This past Halloween when the kids were trick-or-treating, I was coming up the stairs when a gang of children came running towards Paul and he greeted them with a hearty “HO HO HO”, I whispered to him “Wrong Holiday” and he almost fell on floor laughing!

    One of my favorite days at GFS was at a Winners Circle Trip in San Francisco when I helped Dottie take Paul to a Spa Appointment that was in a different Hotel, She said she didn’t want to have to chase him down Knob Hill in a wheel chair! Afterwards Paul wanted to visit Grace Cathederal where we listened to the Choir and toured the Church. When we left the church he asked me if it was “OK” to go have lunch! What a rare treat to spend an afternoon with such wonderful people. Paul telling stories and Dottie winking at me when the tails got a little tall!

    We all are truly blessed to have been touched by such a warm spirit.

    Dottie and family, I hope your faith and wonderful memories will continue to support you.

    ~ Jeff Hanlin, Grand Rapids, May 14th, 2008

11. What always stays in my mind is the monthly directors lunches that were in the kitchen every month. We would be in the lunch room and all of the Gordons would come through and stop to talk to everyone. It always made me feel we were special because they took the time to stop to see how we were doing.

    ~ Darla Spoors, 50thst, May 14th, 2008

12. The Clay Ave. DC was under construction here in G.R and I was new at GFS. I was hanging over a cat-walk waiting for the conveyor to fire up for the first time. As I stood there, I noticed out of the corner of my eye, someone walking down that narrow bridge of iron and wood- right toward me. I had never seen this person before. He strode up to me and said, “Hi, Darrell. I’m Paul Gordon.” I almost fell off the cat-walk. How did he know my name? Had he taken the time to find out who would be in the building when he walked over, so that he would know the name of each person he came across? I know now that indeed, he must have done just that. Do you know how special that made me feel? That was just the beginning of many wonderful exchanges with Paul and the Gordon family, who are all so gracious. Paul will always rank right there with my own father as one of my heroes. To the family: My prayers are with you as you move through this difficult time and I celebrate with you the joy of knowing that Paul is with our Lord.

    ~ Darrell DeGraw, May 14th, 2008

13. God’s love for us is expressed in many fashions, but perhaps one of the most influencial methods is when His love shines through the lives of people. It is obvious that Paul wanted to be used as an instrument to shout God’s love. Paul gave daily examples of how to be a gentleman, leader, family man, giver, and lover of people. His passion for people and desire to serve others can only be described as Christ-like. I am honored to have known Paul and to have felt his influence in my professional and personal life. His example has touched me for a lifetime.

    ~ Craig Woodcraft, May 14th, 2008

14. I have an unpayable debt of gratitude to Paul for allowing me to be a part of Gordon Food Service. He must have seen something in me that I did not existed when I was hired.
    A short hand written letter from Paul thanking me for keeping me updated on my son and suggesting we make time in our busy schedules to have lunch, will always be one of my most prized possesions.
    2 Timothy 4: 7-8.
    Many thanks Paul.

    ~ Terry Diso, May 14th, 2008

15. Matthew 10:38 says “…and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me”. It was obvious from the memorial service that Paul took up his cross of being a businessman, father, and husband and followed Jesus. What a wonderful and inspiring example he has set for all of us.

    ~ Anonymous, May 14th, 2008

16. I was honored to become part of the GFS family though marraige. My husband was working in the Marketplace when we were married. He still remembers being a freezer stocker early in his career in Fort Wayne when he met Paul, and 3 moves later with the company and 20 years later how he remembered his name and family. It sounds so insignificant but it had a huge impact on him and still does.

    Our family is Blessed to be part of a Christian company that truly cares and shows compassion for each and every one. Thank you for sharing a Big part of your family with ours. Paul will be truly missed but, all of his memory lives on…

    ~ Anonymous, May 14th, 2008

17. I want to thank you Mr. Paul Gordon and the whole Gordon family for giving me the opportunity to work for such a great company.
    I have met almost the entire Gordon’s family at the GFS Marketplace 400 Nascar race of 2006, a fantastic day who will always stay in my memory. A great man, always happy, with an awesome smile, full of knowledge, humble, generous, a caring person. You don’t meet tons of people like him during an entire life.

    To Dottie and the entire Gordon family, you have my deepest and heartfelt sympathy for the loss of Paul. My thoughts and prayers are with the whole Gordon family.

    He will be missed.
    His legend will always live forever.

    Sylvain St-Cyr
    GFS Canada SCM/Distal

    ~ Sylvain St-Cyr, May 14th, 2008

18. I never met anyone who when they were in your presence you got goose bumps and every word you would hinge on, except for Paul Gordon. I made what I thought to be a great mistake once, my team missed a Benefits meeting that was very far for us to travel on a work night. People told me i was done at GFS. Paul approached me at a food show a few weeks later, I was very nervous. He said “Bring the product to the customer not the customer to the product”. A few weeks later we had the best benifits meeting.— To Paul and family. Through your accomplishments and achievements my life and my family’s lives are better because of you. I am very proud to be part of the Gordon Food Service family. It is a priviledge to serve and to be part of GFS. Thank you, God Bless

    ~ Randy Pritchard, May 14th, 2008