reconbob Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I am posting this for Doug Richardson as he is not currently able to access a computer. Doug is a closefriend of Gordon and he advised me that Gordon passed away this morning. I knew from talking to Dougthat Gordon had been seriously ill for some months and today that illness took its final toll. I did not know Gordon as well as many of you but I did meet him at the SAR Show a few years backand he was a great guy, a true gentleman and a great Thompson scholar. May he rest in peace. Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalbert Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Rest in peace, Gordon. I heard from someone at NRA 2 weeks ago that he was very ill. David Albertdalbert@sturmgewehr.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Beams Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 A true friend for years, we will truly miss Gordon and his visits to our home in Troy, TN. We have both editions of Gordon's Colt Thompson Serial Numbers and several Thompson accessories we purchased from him in the past. We will cherish them in his memory. Rest in peace dear friend. Ray & Vollie BoehmsTroy, TN 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorcar Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 A great loss to the community... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paladin601 Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I guess he really fought to finish his latest book, RIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ineverlistentoFM Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 sorry to hear about the guy. he sold me and police case and colt trigger wood from no. 122 that i have in my display case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Mills Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Bob, thanks for letting us know. Is there a family memorial fund or otherwise suggested manner of honoring his memory?Gordon, shoot that MMXV drum to your heart's content. Thanks for everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DLansky Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Although I was greatly saddened to hear that my good friend (and Thompson mentor) passed away yesterday, it comforted me to learn that Gordon received a copy of his new book last weekend, hand delivered by the publisher. Gordon happily and enthusiastically shared his knowledge about all-things Thompson with anyone who was curious, and his passion for researching and documenting the history of the gun was insatiable. Coupled together, his knowledge and passion earned him the respect of law enforcement, curators, private owners, and government officials, and access to the otherwise inaccessible records and Thompsons they possessed. As a result of his tireless efforts, a number of guns held by the FBI for years were returned to their rightful owners. It seems fitting somehow that on the day of this great man's passing, the publisher began shipping copies of his book, which will ensure his name and legacy will live on. We can all find comfort in that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwjw1 Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 (edited) Gordon was a TRUE friend for over 45 years. His many projects (all successfully micromanaged) were done to benefit others, not himself. I will miss him everyday. True Friend, Rest In Peace, Jim Watson Edited April 25, 2015 by docwjw1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBill Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I will miss you......RIP.......Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
21NAVY Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 When I bought my Thompson and first pieces of accessories that always go with it, Gordon was the first to help. He introduced me to virtually all of the important players, and I was honored to be with him at the tables with him and Murray at a few SAR shows. I was honored to have him and Murray sit at our patio overlooking Phoenix from Camelback mountain and listen to tales of J Curtis Earl et al. He was a great help to me. To all of you on the boards here, he brought me here. I share his intensity for history and we were working on something that I will finish eventually and present here.Thanks to D. Albert and SIG and Chuck and and Glen and TD and GI Jive and OCM and Lansky and Jim351 for all your help too. I never would have made it here if not for Gordon.He will be missed. He deserves a couple low passes down the runway.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R/R Bull Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I had the pleasure of knowing him here in California for the last 25 or 30 years as he examined my colt# 935 along with Doug R. For entry in his book. He had worked on several of my Thompsons over the years. One of the most knowledgeable Colt collectors I have ever known.One great guy. He will truly be missed in our group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T Hound Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 What is the name of the book? I hadn't heard. Buying his latest book would be the best memorial. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph12297 Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Rest in peace, Gordon. And thank you for everything you have done. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSU Tiger Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 He's in a better place. RIP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_brock Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Rest in peace Gordon. It is nice to see his book finalized and for him to have personally received a copy from the publisher. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron_brock Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 What is the name of the book? I hadn't heard. Buying hislatest book would be the best memorial.Details about his Colt serial number book are in a separate post a few threads down the page. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aut-ord-co Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I remember meeting Gordon at one of the early TCA Show & Shoots in Ohio at the Hill residence. He was very diligent in copying down every Thompson serial number, as well as, every "C" and "L" drum number on everyone's display. His copious "NOTES" were already growing. Rest in peace, Gordon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nfacol Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 I met Gordon at the 2004 SAR show. He was nattily attired in his gangster suit standing by his tables patiently explaining all things Thompson to anyone who had a question. The below pic is from 2006 and found at http://www.thompsonsmg.com http://www.thompsonsmg.com/PC020047.JPG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCM Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 A shame, a nice guy. we had talked a couple times about some John Dillinger guns and all. Great Thompson historian- OCM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colt Chopper Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Sad to hear, I had spoken to Gordon on the phone several times years ago when I aquired my first Thompson, he was very anxious to help me with submitting my FOIA paperwork properly and always had time answer questions and phone calls. A couple years ago I had the pleasure to meet him in person at the SAR show and finally introduce myself, he was a very kind and outgoing person. He is great loss to the Thompson community, May he rest in peace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giantpanda4 Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Very sad news. I tried to meet him in person a month ago - but it was too late. The best gentleman anyone can ever hope to know. His legacy will be around forever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
765 21D Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 very Sad indeed. Gordon's research work on the 1921 Thompson serial numbers and the known history of each Colt Thompson has made a huge impact on the history of the Thompson Sub Machine Gun and helped historians and collectors all over the world. RIP Gordon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmarvin Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Sorry to hear. Although I never met him in person, I felt that I knew him due to our numerous phone calls and emails.RIP Gordon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regalka Posted April 24, 2015 Report Share Posted April 24, 2015 Indeed, so sad. Gordon has been my friend and mentor for 25 years of collecting Thompsons. Needless to say, he was one of the most knowledgeable people on Thompson history, accessories and trivia. Anything he tackled, from his, now, three editions of Thompson Serial Numbers to the production of accessories that challenge experts on originality, Gordon was a perfectionist, almost to a fault! I will miss him. I will miss the SAR Shows where he, Murray and I would dress up in FBI mode (blue blazers) on Fridays and the mobster attire (pinstripes with white fedoras) on Saturdays. His visits to my homes in Boston and New Hampshire, the dinners, bars, the intense, focused discussions, all will be missed. I, too, am pleased that he saw his latest volumes come to fruition and actually were being delivered to Thompson devotees prior to his passing. Gordon will be rembered not only for his books, knowledge, advice and accoutrements, but, perhaps more importantly, for the numerous friendships that he helped to create and foster. Rest in peace, dear friend. Ron Egalka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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