SENIOR SALUTE

Editor’s note: We hope you enjoy this new weekly series, offered over the next few weeks. We appreciate Jan Koepke writing the intriguing articles about seniors in our community and their interesting lives.

Gordon King

Gordon King is someone you should know.

Gordon was born in the small town of Kirwin, in Philips County, Kansas, in 1933, population of between 392 and 500 according to census data from 1930 and 1940. He was the youngest of 4 children, and the only boy. In 1933, small towns like Kirwin were profoundly impacted by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. As a child, Gordon remembers playing outside with bottles and cans in the dirt that blew in during those years. His favorite thing when growing up was when His Grandfather Gordon bought him a pony and saddle for his 6th birthday. He spent many summer years riding that horse while playing cowboy.

After graduating from high school in Agra, Kansas, in 1951, Gordon joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a crypto operator with the primary task of operating complex machines, many still reliant on rotor technology developed in the World War II era. These were used to scramble and unscramble messages. Secrecy was paramount for crypto operators. They followed strict protocols to protect classified information, including being trusted with “eyes-only” information that was meant for specific high-level officials. Gordon served in this capacity while stationed in California, Wyoming, Illinois, Texas, and for a short time in Japan.

Following his discharge, Gordon attended college in Hays, Kansas, on the G.I. Bill. From there, he taught one year of high school in Woodston. Not satisfied with the low salary, he decided to go for bigger money working as an accountant for an oil company in Casper, Wyoming. That job lasted for 3 years. He headed back to Kansas and the beginning of a long career in education — as a teacher, Principal, and Superintendent (32 years), all in various towns in Kansas - Russell Springs, Agra, Clyde, Dodge City, and Spearsville.

Gordon said his biggest challenge during those years was organizing and running a school for drop out high school students in Dodge City, KS. He said it was extremely difficult to maintain the students’ attendance and interest. However, during his time there, 25 students received their high school diplomas, and the school is still in operation today. Even though a major challenge, Gordon also counts this “SOS” (Second Opportunity for Students) as his greatest accomplishment, along with earning his two college degrees.

Gordon’s best friend was another farm boy, Fred, who he says was bigger and stronger than him. They always got along well together, and after high school they became brothers- in-law as a result of marrying sisters.

Gordon says the biggest lessons he learned in life were to be honest, to accept other people as they are, to be kind, and to not sweat the small stuff. He also says an important lesson was about taking whatever comes your way, and if you fail, get back up and keep working toward your goals.

When asked about his opinion on the most significant change, or discovery, that has happened in his lifetime, Gordon said there were so many amazing things — like nuclear generating stations, computers, cell phones, replacement body parts, new drugs, advances in surgery procedures, travel to the moon and beyond — that it was impossible to pick one that was more significant than the another.

Gordon said he enjoyed Council Grove for “the friendly people, being able to purchase nearly everything one needs here in town, and most of the time the weather is pleasant, with few extremes. The access to larger cities within driving distance is a plus, too. Also, there is an abundance of history to observe and read about.”

As a high school student, he read all of Zane Grey’s books and liked going to a movie theater to watch a western on a Saturday night date. He still likes Gunsmoke re-runs today.

Gordon likes being around and interacting with people, visiting with family and friends, playing card games (5 Crown and Poker).

He also likes to make a strange comment every now and then, just to elicit a reaction - all in fun, never to put anyone down or make them feel bad. He definitely has a sense of humor, and he is someone you should know!