John Michael Gordon

John Michael Gordon (83) passed away peacefully on September 30, 2023, surrounded by his family after living with Alzheimer’s disease. He was born in Marshfield, WI to Jack and Jean Gordon and grew up in Green Bay, WI. John was a proud graduate of Premontre High School, St. Norbert College, and UW Madison. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

John was an extremely talented artist and dedicated his life to teaching and mastering his craft. John taught art to students at Parkview Middle School, taught private art classes to children and adults, and developed a home study art program for children all over the country through Gordon School of Art. After he retired from Ashwaubenon Public Schools, he became an adjunct professor of art at St. Norbert College. An impressionist, John completed thousands of paintings and was masterful at landscapes, portraits, self-portraits, and still lifes.

John had many beloved students and was happiest when he could bear witness to the profound, often therapeutic and spiritual effect art had on his pupils.

John was a lover of ideas, a philosopher, a seeker, a fisherman, an outdoorsman, a musician, a writer, and a book collector. John delighted his children with cross-country camping trips, summers at a family cottage, practical jokes, and his playfully inventive craftsmanship.

He loved sports, played basketball, baseball and softball, and loved swimming with his wife Dianne at the YMCA. He and Dianne shared many wonderful years in Kewaunee on their hobby farm where they raised chickens and pigs.

John was very proud of his history with the Green Bay Packers and would often reminisce about working as an assistant equipment manager under Dad Braiser and Vince Lombardi. John lent his talent to the Packer organization and helped design the “Packer G.” John was recognized for this contribution and is honored in the Packer Hall of Fame.

John had a smart, mischievous sense of humor that he passed on to his children and grandchildren. All his life, John was delighted and fascinated by other people. In his later years, he would strike up conversations and share his warmth, enthusiasm and humor wherever he went.

John is survived by his loving wife Dianne and their beloved dogs Audie and Annie; his former wife Joan Gordon and their six children Stephanie (Rick) Johnson, Benjamin, Molly, Jeremy (Dana Schowalter), Joshua, and Andrew (Sofia) Gordon; his three grandchildren, Jackson Gordon, Harvey Schowalter-Gordon, and Adelaide Gordon; his brother Joel (Meredith) Gordon, his sister Julie Gordon, and many nieces and nephews; He is also survived by his stepchildren Emily (Benji) Scherschligt, Michael (Carey Jacobsen) Marlett, and Andrew (Nicole) Marlett, and his step-grandchildren Elise and Aidan Marlett, Stella, Jacob, and May Scherschligt, and Jack, Megan, Sophie, and Natalie Marlett.

John was preceded in death by his cousin Jimmy McCann, his parents Jack and Jean Gordon, and his step-grandchild Lucy Marlett.

He will be dearly missed, and his memory will be cherished by the many people he touched throughout his life.

A heartfelt thank you to the compassionate staff of Unity Hospice who cared for and supported John and his family during his final days.

Please join us at Faith Lutheran Church 2335 S Webster Ave, Green Bay, WI 54301 on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 for a visitation between 9:00am to 10:45am, followed by Services at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association or Unity Hospice of Brown County.