Kenneth "Ken" Clark Gordon

Kenneth “Ken” Clark Gordon, age 86, of The Villages, Florida, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, surrounded by family. Born to Gilbert and Leona Gordon on July 1, 1938, Ken’s life was defined by his devotion to his family. 

Ken’s life began in Gary, Indiana, where he grew up with his two younger sisters, Phyllis and Norma. After graduating from Lew Wallace High School in 1956, he attended college at Butler University in Indianapolis for a year and a half before returning home and taking a couple of years off to work in the steel mill. When he returned to college, he decided to attend Ball State University, earning a Business degree in 1962. While at Ball State, Ken met Karen Heid, and they were married shortly after graduation on September 2, 1962. Together they raised two children, Kim and Kevin. 

Ken lived a full and loving life rooted in devotion to family, hard work, and strong values. He proudly served in the United States Army. Ken’s work life began with Stark & Wetzel, a meatpacking company, but he soon left there to begin a long and successful career with The Kroger Co.; first as a store manager in Indianapolis and later as a Director of Labor Relations working in Cincinnati. Ken accepted an early retirement package from Kroger at the age of 48. For the five years following retirement, he owned a yogurt shop, worked at Sara Lee and was a consultant for Kroger. 

Ken’s free time was often spent on the golf course. This was a lifelong hobby he greatly enjoyed with Karen and friends whether in Cincinnati or while on vacation. Ken passed on his love of golf to Kim and Kevin who started playing at a young age. Ken also loved playing cards - he was an avid poker player and he and Karen would often have friends over for dinner and to play cards. 

In July 1994, Ken and Karen moved south, first to Keowee Key, South Carolina; then to Brooksville, Florida, and eventually settling in The Villages, Florida in 2000. Ken played his beloved game of golf 12 months a year; often five times a week! The frequency dwindled over the years until it stopped altogether in 2023 when Karen got sick. For nearly two years, Ken was Karen’s constant caregiver and put her needs above all else. 

Ken will be remembered for many things: his kindness, his integrity, his work ethic, his devotion to family, his sound advice and his sense of humor. He was often a jokester with his children and grandchildren and, more recently, his great-grandchildren. He always made them laugh and they loved being around him. 

Predeceased by his parents and his wife, Karen, Ken’s memory is honored by his devoted family: his children, Kim (Bill) Bresler and Kevin Gordon; his six grandchildren, Katie (Dan) Brunck, Allie (Derek) Bowles, Christopher (Deanne) Bresler, Jessica (Branden) Scott, Savannah Gordon and Kevin Gordon, Jr.; and his eight great-grandchildren, Audrey, Claire and Charlie Brunck; Alden, Addie and Luke Bowles; Matthew Bresler; and Peyton Scott. He is also survived by his two sisters, a sister-in-law and four nieces, as well as many close friends. 

A visitation from 10:00am-12:00pm, followed by a memorial service to celebrate Ken's life will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at Flanner Buchanan - Washington Park East, located at 10722 E. Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. A private family burial will follow at the same location. 

In lieu of flowers, Ken requested that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers, www.t2t.org, a charity that meant a lot to him.