Reverend Gordon Hall Wadsworth, Jr., beloved husband, dad, papa, brother, and pastor, walked into the arms of Jesus on November 30, 2023, at the age of 88. Gordon met Jesus peacefully, surrounded by all his family. His legacy extends far beyond his family, to hundreds of prisoners and their families.
Gordon was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Gordon Sr. and Ruth Tidball on October 23, 1935. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Pauline; and son, Stephen Matthew. Gordon is survived by his wife, Janet; his daughters, Kim, Julane, and Tara, their spouses and ten grandchildren, as well as his brother and best friend, Jim Wadsworth. Gordon loved his family well and treasured time with each of his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all.
Gordon was well-known as the “blue blazer guy” at Northpoint Community Church, where he spent years greeting visitors and offering high-fives to every child who walked into the building. He and Janet became active members at Woodstock City Church upon the opening of that location. Following an Apostle Paul-like conversion to Christianity in 1970, Gordon became a powerful witness for Jesus Christ. He gave his life to Jesus on an airplane, recalling God got his attention by being as close to heaven as possible. The song Amazing Grace and John 3:16 became the testimony he shared with everyone: that no sin is too great for Jesus to forgive. Gordon’s love for others led him to prison ministry, originally serving with Campus Crusade for Christ. For the next 30 years, Gordon shared the love of Jesus with the broken and forgotten, leading Bible study and worship services at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary and the Atlanta Federal Prison Camp. Later, he became the Prison Pastor for Northpoint Ministries. As part of Northpoint Ministries, he visited local jails and shared Jesus’ love and forgiveness with countless inmates.
Gordon attended the University of Iowa before serving in the U.S. Army from 1958-1960. After graduating from San Jose State in California, Gordon moved to Manhattan Beach where he shared a home with Frank Davis, cousin Johnny Bolger, and younger brother Jim. Gordon introduced his cousin Margie Bolger to roommate Frank Davis, and the two later married. Margie and Frank returned the favor by setting Gordon up on a blind date with Margie’s friend Jan. On July 11, 1964, Gordon married Janet Arlene Earhart in Kettering, Ohio. Gordon and Janet had three daughters and a son, Stephen Matthew, who sadly passed away April 2, 1979, after only three days on this earth.
Gordon had a successful career in sales and marketing, beginning with Johnson & Johnson and Sylvania before working in advertising. He started his own advertising and marketing agency in Atlanta. Gordon earned his pilot license and spent three and half years flying toys to an orphanage in Mexico. In addition, Gordon was an avid train collector. Everywhere he and Jim traveled, they rode as many trains as possible, both in the U.S. and abroad. Gordon became a passionate Auburn Tigers football fan, after sending all three daughters to Auburn University. He greeted many with the famous Auburn battle cry, “War Eagle”. Gordon published three nonfiction books with Moody Press, which helped families manage student debt.
To some, Gordon will be remembered for his pushy faith; to others the one who offered hope. Yet no one will dispute that Jesus Christ greeted him with the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
A service to celebrate Gordon’s life will be held on December 8, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at Woodstock City Church, 150 Ridgewalk Pkwy, Woodstock, GA 30188. All are welcome.
The family has requested donations in Gordon’s honor to Samaritan’s Purse, where Gordon volunteered as a disaster relief chaplain from May 31-June 2, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, after a devastating tornado.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
II Timothy 4:7
*All obituaries are submitted by family and friends of the deceased.
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