Julius Gordon Obituary (1939 - 2024)

Julius "Sonny" Webb Gordon was born on March 23, 1939, to Julius and Celia Gordon in Austin, Texas. Growing up, Julius loved playing in the creek behind his house. He also played basketball with a net hung from a tree, where he had to dribble uphill to score. His favorite subjects in school were biology, P.E., and lunch. Some of his favorite childhood memories were hunting and fishing with his father, where they would talk freely and frankly with each other. Julius graduated from "Old Anderson" High School in 1956. He then served in the Navy at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, for two years before returning to Austin, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and Sociology from Huston-Tillotson College. Julius went on to earn a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling and Guidance at Prairie View A&M University. He was initiated into the Gamma Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. in 1970. Julius worked briefly as a parole officer before moving on to work at the Texas Education Agency, where he worked for 30 years, specializing in Equal Education Opportunity. He was a lifelong outspoken supporter of educational opportunities and of passing on our history to younger generations. Julius married Shirley Thomas on July 7, 1964. Together they raised their two sons, Brent and Brandon, in one of the first racially diverse neighborhoods in Austin. Julius traveled often for work, but was sure to return home to help coach his boys' football, baseball, and basketball teams. Julius is remembered for his love of singing, dancing, and delicious food. He loved driving with the windows down on a hot day while listening to talk radio and drinking strawberry soda. He loved Motown love songs and westerns, especially The Lone Ranger and Gunsmoke. Julius was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Bobbie Thompson, and his aunt Hertha Glenn. Julius is survived by his wife Shirley, his sons Brent and Brandon, his grandchildren Danaka and Brandon, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and loved ones.