HM1 (SCW/FMF) Charles Thomas “Tommy” Gordon, USN, Retired, age 62, passed away Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Sumner Regional Medical Center with his daughter Rachel with him via video call, after a short battle with COVID.
Tommy was born in Camden, Tennessee, on March 25, 1959, to James T. and Lucille Lay Gordon. When he was 5 years old his family moved to Old Hickory, Tennessee, where he resided until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1985. Tommy graduated from DuPont High School in 1977.
Tommy was a highly decorated veteran. He retired in 2005 after serving his county for 20 years as an 8404 Combat Corpsman spending most of his career with the U.S. Marines. While in the Navy he was involved in the Panamanian Conflict, Persian Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He received the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, (3) Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Presidential Unit Citation, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, (5) Navy Good Conduct Medals, (2) National Defense Service Medals, Navy and marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, (3) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, (2) Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons, Expert Pistol Shot Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy Fleet Marine Force Ribbon, and Meritorious Unit Commendation. After retiring from the Navy, Tommy worked for Lexus of Nashville until he retired in May 2021.
He is preceded in death by his Mother Lucille Lay Gordon his father James Timothy Gordon, brothers John Timothy Gordon and James Paul Gordon, and sister Cindy Maniscalco. Also, his Son-In-Law Joshua Vincent Chandler.
He is survived by his daughter, Rachel Tuesday Chandler (Davey), his son Charles Thomas “Tommy” Gordon Jr., his 6 grandchildren Xiona Tuesday Chandler, Ayiana Grace Gordon-Chandler, Peyton Olivia Chandler, Rachel Elizabeth Chandler, Alexus Rose Gordon, Alejandro Garcia his girlfriend, Renee Minchey, his sisters Muriel Humphries and Mary-Nell File and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and special friends.
Tommy loved being a grandfather, spending time with his trusted companion Silka, riding his Harley Davidson Road King, and spending time on his boat.
Tommy’s family would like to give a special thank you to Tommy’s girlfriend, Renee Minchey. He could not have asked for a better companion to enjoy his life with. Tommy loved Renee deeply and they have been inseparable for the last 10 years. Renee ensured that those years were filled with love and adventure for Tommy and for that we will be forever grateful.
A graveside service will be held at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Lane in Nashville, TN, on Friday, September 17, 2021, at 9 AM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project in Tommy’s honor. https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/contact-us
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