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March 15, 1926 – Jan. 15, 2025
Just shy of 99 years young, Doctor Clayton Hill Gordon passed away at his home 'Flyway' in Bloomfield Hills on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, with loving family surrounding him. He is preceded in death by his adoring wife of 72 years, Grace Fletcher Gordon, his son, John Hurter Gordon III of Covington, Louisiana (Deborah Broadwell Gordon of Mandeville, Louisiana), his brother, John Hurter Gordon, junior, M.D. of Syracuse, New York, and his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mariette Fletcher Potvin and James Eugene Potvin of Cadillac. 'Dad/Daddy/Champ/Clay/The Man Who Rubs My Belly' is survived by his children Peter Fletcher Gordon, M.D. (Paula Retamal Zamora) of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Susan Gordon Kern (Jeffrey Loud Kern) of Aiken, South Carolina, as well as the family dog, Blue. 'Grandaddy or Grandy' is survived by his grandchildren Jennifer Elizabeth Gordon (Samuel Ruesga) of Guadalajara, Mexico, John Hurter Gordon IV (Mary Kathleen Gordon) of Mandeville, Louisiana, Ian Fletcher Gordon (Caroline Hill) of San Francisco, California, Clayton Gordon Kern of Aiken, South Carolina, Mackenzie Gilchrist Kern of Bloomfield Hills, and Paget Grace Kern Collins (Jacob John Collins) of Arvada, Colorado, and 'Great-Grandy' by his great-grandchildren Sophia Ruesga Gordon, Emma Ruesga Gordon, John 'Hayes' Gordon, and Graham Hill Gordon. Uncle Clay is survived by three generations of nieces, nephews, cousins, and four godchildren.
Delivered by his father, Clayton Hill Gordon was born on March 15, 1926, in Pontiac and raised in Birmingham, the second son of Jenny Peterson Gordon and John Hurter Gordon, M.D. Nicknamed 'Buddy', he grew up on Baldwin Street with his back yard reaching Quarton Lake. His childhood was filled with fishing, ice skating, wild adventures with his Saint Bernard Don Pedro, and many pickup baseball games that often resulted in neighbors reinstalling new windowpanes. He attended Quarton School in Birmingham and Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. As a young boy, his father took him out of school one day. He took Clay down to Huston Hardware to buy an official baseball and on to Birmingham Country Club where Babe Ruth, barnstorming around the country, was golfing with members. Upon arrival, Babe Ruth was in the Men's Locker Room. An attendant informed Doctor Gordon that he could go in, but minors were not allowed. So, his father went in and young Clay could hear a boisterous voice saying, "Well, send him in!… No? Well, I'll go out there!" So out came Babe Ruth in nothing but a towel to sign a baseball and shake his hand. Clayton attended Baldwin School where he frequently would take a friend to visit his father's office above the Birmingham Theater. His father gave Clay 25 cents to get a hamburger, fries and a chocolate shake from Hunter House, bowl a game in the lanes below the theater, and return for afternoon classes. Many times, his friend would ride a horse through the Huston Hardware Store and the horse would grab a candy bar on the way out! Instead of graduating with his classmates in December of 1942, Clayton attended summer school at Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills and entered early that fall into The University of Michigan for his college and medical school years, graduating in 1950. He often kidded that he became a doctor without finishing high school. In 6th grade, Clay wanted to dissect a frog to learn biology. So, his father went to The University of Michigan and met with the Dean of the medical school, asking for a frog. Years later, when Clay applied to medical school, he asked the Dean of his chances of being accepted. The dean told him about his father and said, "We've been waiting for you." Clayton was a Navy man through the V-12 program and was on active duty during World War II and the Korean War. He was stationed in North Carolina at Camp LeJeune as a physician for the Marines, and later returned to Ann Arbor to finish his education and training.
Clayton spent a summer externship at Alpena General Hospital where he met Katie Fletcher, who insisted he stay for dinner and meet her daughter Grace upon returning from her date! Clayton met "my greatest love in life"! Gracie and Clay were married at Trinity Episcopal Church in Alpena on April 10, 1950. Gracie and Clay made their home at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from 1950 to 1957, studying under Frederick A. Coller, completing a medical degree in surgery, attending many football games and welcoming their three children. The family eventually settled in Bloomfield Village.
Clayton was a sixth-generation physician. He began his practice as a General Surgeon, later specializing in cancer and abdominal surgery. His surgical and teaching practice was at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac and William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak. His private practice was in Downtown Birmingham, and his wonderful partner of 50 years was the late John 'Jack' McLaughlin, M.D. He would retire from surgery at the age of 70 and continue to see patients at The Rose Center of William Beaumont Hospital with his Associate, Pamela Benitez, M.D. Friends and patients tell stories of stiches that healed without a trace, and of his amazing kindness and gentleness when attending to them. They continued to call Doctor Clay Gordon for his listening and advice until his last days. Clayton strongly believed in giving back to his community. He was in the Alpha Omega Fraternity throughout high school, a member of Alpha Tau Omega at The University of Michigan and Nu Sigma Nu in medical school. He originated DCDS Tennis Club, joined the school board, created the school medical emergency plan, established his Annual Science Award, and became Chairman Emeritus at Detroit Country Day School in Beverly Hills, Michigan. He volunteered at the Wound Care Center in Pontiac, was a member of The William Beaumont Hospital Foundation and The University of Michigan Coller Surgical Society, was a past trustee and president of the South Oakland Branch of the Michigan Cancer Foundation, and was a past president of the Oakland County Medical Society. He enjoyed his POET's Men's Club, the Birmingham Men's Club, The University of University of Michigan Alumni and Medical Alumni, and Michigan football season tickets. He is a past Board Member of Alpena Power Company and Fletcher Paper Company, and remains an Honorary Armenian through Richard Manoogian, and an Honorary HOHOHO Staff with Tom Muir.
Clayton was an involved family man believing faith, education, travel, and sports were important. He taught his children to make their beds with hospital corners and quarter bounces, and once used his surgical stitching talents to hem a dress for his daughter's last-minute date. He grew up summering in Oscoda with fishing and sailing on Lake Huron, playing ping pong in the cupola, and tobogganing down from it to the middle of Orchard Lake. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, and enjoyed golf, snow skiing, paddle tennis, and tennis, winning many tournaments and earning his nickname 'Champ'. He belonged to: Christ Church Cranbrook; Orchard Lake Country Club; Gaylord Hidden Valley/Otsego Ski Club; Royal Poinciana Club in Naples, Florida; Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Arizona; and Coral Beach Club in Bermuda. He shared wonderful memories of family reunions in Bermuda with his knighted Cousin Ann Smith Gordon and the Duchess Katherine Kent, trips with Gracie to California and Italy, golfing from the river boat going down the Danube, and off the Clipper Ship sailing around Scotland and Ireland. In 1994, they traveled and dined on the QE II with friends Dolly and Ben Wright, Marge and Andy Rooney, Walter Cronkite with Ann Moeller, Harold Stuart with Francis Langford, Robert Stack, and Herb Caen for the 50th celebration of The World War II Normandy Invasion in France. As a natural athlete with a photographic memory for all sports players and statistics, he continued to tell great stories, and exercise up until his last days. At 98, he could still pull a 50lb bow with either hand! Clayton Hill Gordon, M.D. is synonymous with kind, patient, thoughtful, giving, generous, loyal, devoted, excellence, wise-counselor, respected, accomplished, twinkling eyes, bright smiles, and fun. He fixed things with glue, humor, patience and love. Known for his quick wit, puns, toasts, punchlines and laughter, our hearts are filled and provided with much strength. Believing patience to be the secret to happy relationships, he gifted us his three life lessons: Love Always, Never Give Up, and Keep Having Fun!
There will be a celebration of Clayton Hill Gordon, M.D. with a service at Pine Grove Cemetery in Alpena in late spring. Plans will include Gracie's song and bugle, bagpipe and big-band music, and a reception at Commodore Phil Fletcher's Alpena Yacht Club. Donations in his memory may be sent to the John Hurter Gordon III Endowment Fund at Detroit Country Day School, 22305 West Thirteen Mile Road, Beverly Hills, Michigan 48025.