James L. Gordon, 92, of Friendship Village Retirement Center died at his home Monday, February 5, 2007, of heart failure.

He was born July 22, 1914, in Waterloo, son of Homer and June (Buechele) Gordon.

He married Helen J. Todd on June 27, 1941, in Peoria, Illinois.

Jim graduated from West High School in 1932. While still in high school he was one of the first members of the newly-formed Symphony Orchestra, playing 1st Trombone. He played in the orchestra for years and later served on the Symphony Board of Directors.

In 1940, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Master of Arts degree in 1956 from the University of Northern Iowa; and completed post-graduate studies at University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

As the Director of Instrumental Music, Jim began his career teaching in New Hampton (1940-1946); Marshalltown (1946-1950); East High School (1950-1977); and last at McKinstry Middle School (1977-1980).

Jim was active at First Congregational Church where he served on the organ selection board and the board of finance. He was Past President of the Community Concert Board; board member of Friends of the Library and the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra; and member of Phi Delta Kappa Educational Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Music Educational Fraternity, American Federation of Musicians Local #334, and the Iowa Band Masters Association. Jim was a life member of the Iowa Education Association and the National Education Association. He also volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was a Journal Buddy to students at Bunger Middle School.

He is survived by his wife Helen of Waterloo, daughter Kerry Stone of St. Paul, Minnesota; daughter Lynne Carlisle and her husband Ray of Missoula, Montana; four grandchildren: Kelly Runyon, Nathan Stone, Elizabeth Carlisle, and Andrew Holder; four great-grandchildren: Summer, Melissa, A.J., and Rose Bond; and brother Homer K. Gordon of Lincoln, Nebraska.

He is preceded in death by his parents.