Russell Wayne Gordy Obituary (1924

Russell Gordy, 91, of Mt. Sterling, Iowa passed away peacefully in his home January 16, 2016. Russell was the son of Jake and Ida Gordy born November 8, 1924. Russell married Florence (Flo) Aylor on August 18, 1945. They had one daughter Carla. Russell was a lifelong farmer and up until the last year still farming. He loved attending auctions and sales. You never knew what treasures he would come home with, whether it would be a horse, cows, tractor, a farm implement, or just a bucket of junk. For several years Russell was in a partnership of buying and selling tractors in the early to late seventies. He never knew a stranger; Russell could strike up a conversation with anyone and discuss anything. In the last several years you could find him first thing in the morning at Brewer's garage drinking coffee with friends. Russell grew up around horses all his life, first as a child using them to farm with, and later to ride. He always had a horse on the farm, and when he got older and could no longer ride, he went and purchased a buggy horse. You just never knew when he was going to ride into town with the horse and buggy. Sometimes in the winter he would hook up the sleigh and come to town. Russell enjoyed sharing his passions with his grandkids and great grandkids, whether it was raising ducks or raising an orphaned raccoon. He loved to travel, as a young man he traveled around the country before settling in the Mt. Sterling area. Russell traveled to many places, Texas, Hawaii, Mexico, Virgin Islands, and the Western United States. Russell is survived by a son-in-law, Freddie Henderson of Memphis, MO, a granddaughter, Lisa Orton (Mark) of Memphis, MO, a grandson, Jeff and Henderson (Rynee) of Ottumwa, IA, a great-granddaughter Kassidi Henderson of Ottumwa, IA, a special friend Irene Hammond of Keosauqua, IA, a step-great grandson Craig Orton (Jennifer) of Memphis, MO, a step-great granddaughter Brandi Sutter (AJ) of O'Fallon, MO, two step great-great granddaughters, Jailyn Sutter and Jenna Orton. Two step-great-great grandsons, Connor Sutter and Caleb Orton. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Florence "Flo" Gordy, and daughter Carla Henderson, also four sisters, Velva, Cleta, Inez, Neva, and a sister that died in infancy. Funeral services will at 10:30 A.M. Thursday January 21, 2016 at Pedrick Funeral Home, Keosauqua with Rev. Bill Shewmaker officiating. Visitation will open at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday with family present 5-7 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Harness Cemetery, rural Mt. Sterling. Memorials to Harness Cemetery may be left at the funeral home or mailed to the family at Route2 Box 106A, Memphis, MO 63555