News Summary
The Greenwood community is grieving the passing of Thomas “Tom” Dane Gordon at the age of 82. Known for his dedication to family and community, Tom leaves behind his beloved wife and children, as well as his grandchildren. His contributions were felt through his professional achievements and community involvement, including leadership roles at First Baptist Church and the Greenwood Lions Club. A memorial service will be held to celebrate his life and legacy.
Greenwood – The local community is mourning the loss of Thomas “Tom” Dane Gordon, who peacefully passed away at the age of 82 on June 19, 2025, at Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont, Hospice House in Greenwood. Tom is remembered as a devoted family man who devoted his life to both his family and the community.
Tom is survived by his wife, Julia Monroe Gordon, with whom he was married for nearly 60 years, celebrating their union at the First Baptist Church of Greenwood in 1965. The couple was looking forward to their anniversary in 2025. He leaves behind a close-knit family, including his son, Dane Gordon, and daughter-in-law, Wendy; his daughter, Ashley Cate, and son-in-law, Mike; his brother, Bo Thomas, and fiancée, Kelly; and his sister, Talia Murphy, with her husband, John. His legacy continues through his four grandchildren, Abigael and John Thomas Gordon, Evan Teeters, and Trace and Caroline Cate. Additionally, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Caroline Whitmire, along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Being affectionately known as ‘Pop Pop’ to his grandchildren was one of Tom’s proudest achievements, showcasing his deep love and connection to his family. He had a longstanding presence in Greenwood, having originally come from Florence, South Carolina. Born to the late Dr. David and Almenia Locklair Thomas, Tom dedicated his professional life to science and leadership.
He earned a degree in Chemistry from East Carolina University, demonstrating early on his commitment to education and knowledge. Tom served as an officer in the U.S. Army, with a notable assignment in Europe during his service. After his time in the military, he transitioned into a successful career at Hercules, Inc., where he retired as Corporate Director in 1996. He later continued his professional journey as Senior Manager at Meritus Consulting Group, retiring in 2001.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Tom made significant contributions to his community through various leadership roles. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Greenwood, where he participated actively in the Carpenter Sunday School Class and held several prominent positions, including Chairman of the First Baptist Church Foundation in 2010 and Chairman of Deacons in 2009. Tom’s leadership extended beyond the church as he was also a member and served as President of the Greenwood Lions Club in 2005, receiving recognition as a Melvin Jones and Franklin Mason Fellow for his contributions.
A memorial service to honor Tom Gordon’s life will be held at Blyth Funeral Home Chapel on June 28, 2025, at 2 p.m., officiated by Rev. John Uldrick and Rev. David Corbett. The family will welcome friends and community members at the funeral home from 5 to 7 p.m. the evening prior to the service, providing an opportunity for those who knew Tom to share their condolences and memories.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the First Baptist Church or to Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont, organizations that were significant to Tom throughout his life. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services has been entrusted to assist the Gordon family with the arrangements during this difficult time.
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- Index Journal: Severe Thunderstorm in Greenwood
- Wikipedia: Greenwood, South Carolina
- ABC13: Tree Falls on House During Storm
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Severe Weather
- WSPA: Severe Thunderstorm Damage in Lake Greenwood
- Google News: Greenwood South Carolina Weather
Author: HERE Greenwood
The HERE Greenwood Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenwood community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenwood Our team includes lifelong Greenwood residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent listing of the historic Grier Building, Greenwood’s railroad and textile heritage, and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Piedmont Technical College programs). Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
