Mr. Kalman S. Gordon, 79, of Statesville, passed away peacefully at Gordon Hospice House, surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 18, 2016.
Kalman was born July 6, 1937 in Statesville, N.C. and was the son of the late Charlotte and Louis Gordon. He was a graduate of Statesville High School. He earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Alabama where he was a member of Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. On April 3, 1960, he married Toby Starr Gordon, who survives. He was a dedicated member and past president of Congregation Emanuel in Statesville. He served in the U.S. Air National Guard and was the President of L. Gordon Iron & Metal Company. He was a remarkable husband, father, “Granddaddy,” brother, uncle and friend. He was a dear and loyal friend to many and will be profoundly missed.
Kalman served on many community and philanthropic boards including the Statesville Family YMCA, United Way of Iredell County, Mitchell Community College Endowment for Excellence, Counseling Center of Iredell County, Foundation for the Carolinas and Iredell Museums. He generously supported many worthwhile organizations, some of which include the Boys & Girls Club of the Piedmont, Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County (the Gordon Hospice House), Fifth Street Ministries, Children’s Homes of Iredell County (Special Treasures), SCAN, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Iredell, Statesville Historical Collection, Food Allergy Research and Education, NC Children’s Hospital Food Allergy Initiative, Statesville Regional Development and the American Cancer Society of Statesville.
Kalman, a man of integrity and loyalty, leaves an indelible legacy enriching lives in both the national business world as well as the Statesville community. He served as president of the southern chapter of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) as well as on its national board. He also served on the Statesville boards of Wells Fargo Bank and the Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to his loving wife of 56 years, Kalman is survived by his daughter, Wendy Gordon Pake (Lee) of Mooresville; his son, Louis Gordon of Mooresville; grandsons, Reed Pake and Graham Pake; brother, Saul Gordon (Gene) of Statesville; sistersinlaw, Rona Gordon of Statesville, Anita Shapiro (Dr. Marvin Shapiro) of Charlotte, nieces and nephews, Barry Gordon of Troutman, Charlotte Margolis of Charlotte, Mark Gordon of Greer, SC, Craig Gordon of Cornelius, Richard Gordon of Statesville, Susan Sandler of Cornelius, Robert Gordon of Statesville, Jeffrey Shapiro of Weston, FL, Dr. Scott Shapiro of Jersey City, NJ, Lee Shapiro of Alpharetta, GA and many greatnieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Melvin Gordon, Ellis Gordon (Barbara) and Alfred Gordon.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 pm by Rabbi Murray Ezring on Friday, August 19 at the graveside, Oakwood Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Barry Gordon, Mark Gordon, Richard
Gordon, Robert Gordon, Jeffrey Shapiro, Scott Shapiro and Lee Shapiro. Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Marvin Shapiro, Frank Hahn of Atlanta, Ga and Gene Winner of Asheville, NC.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625; Congregation Emanuel, PO Box 145, Statesville, NC 28687; or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at
www.nicholsonfunerals.com
Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Kalman S. Gordon.