Crossroads Presbyterian Church on December 3, 2006
The "Bell Tower" was built at the direction of Elders of the Crossroads Presbyterian Church. The details and the personal responsibility were carried out
by Rick Stogsdill with much encouragement from Keith Kirkland. It was completed in the Year of Our Lord - November, 2006.
A Prayer of Gratitude for those who planned, contributed to, worked with, and constructed the Bell Tower was given by
Elder Keith Kirkland. The following alliteration Honouring Vernon E. Gordon was was then delivered by Elder Bill Brummett:
"Vernon E. Gordon was born on August 19, 1910 in the community of Desert, Texas. His parents were James Wilson (JW) and Pearlie May (Vernon) Gordon and his paternal grandparents were Joseph Gordon and Una Pate Gordon. His maternal grandparents were Jim Vernon and Minnie Carraway Vernon. Joseph Gordon was a founding elder of the congregation of the Crossroads Presbyterian Church. Vernon graduated
from Whitewright High School and went on to study at Austin College, a Presbyterian affiliated institution, in Sherman, Texas. In college, Vernon met Isabel May -- they fell in love and were married
in July of 1950. They moved into the home that Vernon and his father built for their honeymoon in which he currently lives. As a tiny baby, Vernon was brought to the Crossroads Presbyterian
Church when it was located South of its present day location - across Highway 121. He was Baptized in 1911. Vernon came to Christ as a believer when he was 8 years old.
Vernon is now 96 years old and has been a member of the Crossroads Presbyterian Church for nearly a century. He is a living example of what it means to follow Jesus Christ and to worship weekly.
There will be no other man like Vernon Gordon - God made his from a special mould and we have been blessed to know him as a friend and fellow Christian. For all that his family has contributed
to the Crossroads Presbyterian Church and for all that Vernon means to this church, for all of us, who together make up the Body of Christ, We dedicate this bell tower in Vernon Gordon's name."
Vernon himself then rang the bell which will call God's People to worship for years to come, after which all members of the Crossroads Presbyterian Church were invited in ringing the bell.
Note: Sadly, Vernon passed away on June 23, 2007 and Graveside Services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 25, 2007. He was 96 years of age.
The Reverend David A. Sharp, who had recently retired as Pastor at the Crossroads Presbyterian Church, officiated at the service. Vernon was buried at the Crossroads Cemetery located near the church grounds.