J. Oliver Gordon, age 88 died Sunday, June 9, 2019 at Northern Montana Care Center due to natural causes. Cremation has taken place. Holland and Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit J.'s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at www.hollandbonine.com .

J. was born on January 3, 1931 to Clement John and Nellie Maurine (Oliver) Gordon in Grand Forks, North Dakota and was a third generation Scotsman. He was the first born of two children, later joined by brother Robert. J. would often talk about how he delivered mail by horse to the surrounding towns and areas as a child. After J. finished High School he enlisted in the army as a cook for nearly two years. He then attended the University of Montana in Missoula where he obtained a degree in teaching.

His first teaching job was in Browning where he taught K through 12 art and art history. ON September 16, 1959, he married Wanda Miller and the couple had two children together, Linda and Lenore. They made their home in Joplin where J. again taught art and was known in the community for the adult education classes he taught in photography. J.'s biggest passions were drawing, photography and teaching. Later J. and Wanda moved to Wolf Point where he served as superintendent of schools before his retirement in 1990. The couple then moved to South Carolina where they purchased a home and lived until Wanda's death.

J. was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda.

He is survived by his daughters, Lenore Gjesdal of Kremlin and Linda Rhea of Missoula; and 8 grandchildren.