James R. Gorden

James "Bobby" Robert Gorden, 92, widower of Betty McCurdy Gorden and a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023, at Brookdale Staunton.

He was born on December 17, 1931, in Spottswood to the late James Alexander and Helen Louise Fravel Gorden.

"Bobby", as he was affectionately known by his family and friends, lived his entire life in Spottswood. The humble home where he was born later became a part of the old Spottswood High School complex and was known as the "Home Ec" cottage. Bobby had a deep connection to his hometown and could regale anyone with countless stories about the people and places of the past.

After retiring from Smith's Transfer in Verona following over thirty years of dedicated service where he worked in the scale house, Bobby leaves behind an indelible legacy of commitment and professionalism. Prior to his career at Smith's, Bobby worked at Clover Creamery in Lexington.

A lifelong member of Old Providence ARP Church, Bobby held a strong faith in God that guided him throughout his life. His devotion to living a virtuous life was evident in how he treated others. Bobby was always willing to lend a helping hand to both family and neighbors alike. He never had a negative word to say about anyone and approached life with kindness, compassion, and an unwavering positivity.

Bobby had a close bond with his siblings; they were always playing jokes on each other. It was hard to determine who did the best job at pulling off these playful pranks. Family was everything to Bobby, and he cherished every moment spent with his loved ones.

He is survived by his children, Martha Jane Gorden Earhart and her husband, Kenny, Emily Gorden Seaman and her husband, Bobby, and Robert Wayne Gorden and his wife, Donna; his grandchildren, Chris Groah and his wife, Rosa, Amanda Groah, Chad Groah, Jennifer Rea and her husband, Thomas, R.W. Gorden and his wife, Liz, and Michael Gorden and his wife, Crystal; seven great-grandchildren; and his brother, Thomas Alexander Gorden and his wife, Jan.

In addition to his parents and his loving wife, whom he married on December 19, 1952, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Mary Helen Gorden Ayers and Jane Gorden Peters.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 3, 2024, from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Henry Funeral Home in Staunton. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2024, starting at 11:00 AM at Old Providence ARP Church in Spottswood with the Reverend Patrick Malphrus officiating.

The family would like to especially thank the memory care unit staff at Brookdale Staunton for the kindness, care, and compassion shown to Bobby during the last year of his life. 

It is suggested that those desiring may make memorial contributions to the Alzheimer's Association (P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090) or to the Kingsway Help Center (PO Box 32, Steeles Tavern, VA 24476).