WESTGATE - Larry Donald Gordon, 64, of Westgate, died suddenly Saturday evening, Dec. 6, 2008, at Mercy Hospital of Franciscan Sisters, Oelwein.

He was born Dec. 12, 1943, in Oelwein, son of Donald Millin and Irma Clara (Brickman) Gordon. He was baptized Jan. 2, 1944, at Evangelical Lutheran Church, Fayette, and was confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate, on March 30, 1958. Larry graduated from West Central High School, Maynard, in 1962. He married Catherine Ann Weepie on Nov. 10, 1967, at Little Brown Church, Nashua. Larry worked at John Deere Waterloo Tractor Works for 29 years, and after retirement from John Deere, worked at Woodlawn Cemetery, Oelwein, where he served as sexton.

Larry was a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate, where he served on many church committees; was a member of the Westgate Fire Department for 20 years; and was a former city councilman and former mayor in Westgate. He was a longtime Westgate resident, and he and Cathie loved to go for motorcycle rides around Northeast Iowa. Larry loved NASCAR (especially Jeff Gordon), playing cards, the Iowa Hawkeyes and playing practical jokes.

Larry is survived by his wife; three sons, Scott (Pam) Gordon of Independence, Brad (Jenn) Gordon of Fairbank and James Gordon of Independence; a daughter, Carla (Chris) Even of Jesup; 10 grandchildren, Celia Tucker, Brittnie, Danielle, Seth, Lucas, Brandon and Brooke Gordon and Cory, Casey and Chloe Even; a great-grandson, Connor Tucker; his mother of Westgate; a brother, Lyle (Julie) Gordon of Westgate; a sister, Lois (Ed) Erickson of Maynard; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father Dec. 14, 1997.

Funeral services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Peter Lutheran Church, Westgate, with burial in the church cemetery. Public visitation from 3 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Jamison-Schmitz Funeral Home, Oelwein, and for an hour before services Wednesday at the church.

Memorials may be given in his name to St. Peter Lutheran Church or the Westgate Building Committee.