Funeral services for Sam Gordon, 75, of Livingston, Texas, will be held Monday, August 31, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Livingston, Texas with Rev. Steve Woody and Rev. James Frazier officiating. A reception will immediately follow the church service. Interment will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, August 31, 2015 in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Livingston, Texas. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 30, 2015 at the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Sam Gordon, 75 passed away Thursday, August 27 in Lufkin, TX following a brief illness. He was born on March 26, 1940 in Corsicana, TX.

Raised in Corsicana, Sam graduated from Corsicana High School in 1958 and the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas in 1962. He met his future bride Margie on a blind date in 1958. Shortly after graduation they were married in Baytown, TX on February 2, 1963. He and Margie then moved to Las Vegas, NV for his first job at Titanium Metal Corporation. Sam and Margie came back to Texas in 1964 where he worked as a Division Manager for Gifford Hill, overseeing the daily operations of all the ready-mix plants in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. On July 4, 1968 Sam, Margie, and their two young daughters moved to Livingston, TX. where he worked briefly for Earnest Reuter at Reuter's Building Materials before becoming part owner of Lakeway Building Materials. He worked in the tax office for Livingston Independent School District and served as their business manager for 10 years. In his life, Sam worked in many different capacities, but the job he loved the most was his time with the City of Livingston, first as the Assistant City Manager 1984-1986 and then as City Manager from 1986 until his retirement in 2005. During his tenure with the city, he was instrumental in the development of Pedigo Park, successfully writing and obtaining a grant to construct the soccer and baseball fields and the picnic area by the lake. He directed the construction of the new Municipal Complex and Police Station which opened in 1998. He oversaw the construction and upgrading of the Mathews Street Park swimming pool, jogging trail, covered picnic pavilion, and playground equipment. While he was at the helm of the city the VF Factory Outlet Mall opened as well as the TDCJ 2250-bed maximum security facility. He oversaw numerous city infrastructure, airport, and recreational projects. One of his proudest accomplishments was the hiring of the city's first Parks and Recreation Superintendent. In 2005 Livingston received the Main Street City designation from the Texas Historical Commission.

Sam was a very active member of the Livingston community. He had been a member of the Livingston Lions Club since 1968, serving as President from 1979-1980; zone chairman from 1990-1992, treasurer at various times and had 46 years of perfect attendance. He was a member of the Polk County Industrial and Economic Development Board, the Texas City Management Association, the Texas Public Power Association, the Sam Rayburn Municipal Power Agency, and the Small Cities Advisory Council of the Texas Municipal League. He was the past president of Livingston Team City, in association with Entergy economic development group. He served on numerous committees at First United Methodist Church, was the past treasurer of the Polk County Mission, and was the secretary/treasurer for the Walding Hunting Club. He was an ex-officio member of the Livingston/Polk County Chamber of Commerce. He was the past president and tournament chair for the Livingston Men's Golf Association. He and Margie were also members of the Grasshoppers Golfing Group.

Sam was preceded in death by his parents John Samuel Gordon and Carrie Jergins Gordon, sister and brother-in-law Wanda Gordon Brashear and Wesley Brashear, sister Bonnie Gordon Mathison, and brother Danny M. Gordon.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Margie Weeks Gordon, daughter Whitney Gordon Blankenship and husband Loyd Blankenship, daughter Samantha Gordon Rine and husband Doug Rine, granddaughter Holland Elizabeth Rine, grandson Grayson Douglas Rine, sister Kathy Paschal and husband Joe Paschal, sister-in-law Betsy Gordon, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Pall Bearers will be longtime friends Henry Ager, Gene Bush, Bob Cook, Jimbo Hopson, Guinn Jones, Preston Jones, Cecil Langston, Jack Sprott, and Claude Thomas. Honorary Pall Bearers will be the City of Livingston, Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, Livingston Police Department, Livingston Lions Club, and members of the Walding Hunting Club.

The family would like to thank Dr. Raymond Luna for his loving care and guidance throughout Sam's illness. They would also like to extend their gratitude to Corky Cochran, Livingston Volunteer Fire Department, and Livingston Police Department for Sam's meaningful homecoming.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be given to First United Methodist Church or Polk County Mission, Center of Hope.

Cochran Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Please sign our online guestbook at www.cochranfh.com .