Gordon Lee Anthony
Gordon Anthony, 95, passed away Thursday, September 16, 2021 at the Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation Center in Many. Gordon was born November 18, 1925, sixth of six sons born to Hoy Anthony and Ophelia Pilcher Anthony. He also had four brothers born to Hoy Anthony and Zelma Blackwell Anthony and two step-sisters, Juanita Delatin Blackwell and Betty Jean DeLatin Hopkins Lafitte. He attended Florien High School until the tenth grade when he dropped out of school to help his ailing father plant, cultivate and harvest cotton. He was drafted into the Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He earned two Bronze Stars, several service ribbons, and was awarded the French Legion of Honor medal in 2017, given to foreign soldiers who served in at least two of the major campaigns on French soil. He is preceded in death by his father; mother; his wife, Freddye Speight Anthony; his son, Michael Gordon Anthony; his wife, Ann Cain Anthony; his brothers, Furman; Howard; M. G.; Elmore (Buddy); Mack, Jimmy; and Robert; and his stepsisters, Juanita Delatin Blackwell and Betty Jean DeLatin Hopkins Lafitte.
Gordon worked for 35 years at Fort Polk. After retiring there he worked for the Sabine Parish Police Jury for 22 years and finally decided to retire at the age of 80 years and three months. He was a proud veteran of the 83rd Division, 331st Combat Team, Company B of the Ohio National Guard unit who anxiously awaited his monthly magazine published the unit. He was an avid fan of the Florien High School Blackcats, especially boys and girls basketball. From 1966-1973, he rarely, if ever, missed a boys basketball game. He loved watching NBA games, especially the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers and NFL games that featured the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. He talked about Terry Bradshaw and Drew Brees like they were on a first name basis with him.
Gordon never met a stranger and he was famous for starting conversations with anyone close to him. He called every man “sir” and every woman “ma’am” regardless of their age, race, creed or color. Once you met him, you were his friend. He was “Pap” many of his grandkids and most every person in Redland and Antioch Baptist Church and and he was Papaw Gord to the rest.
He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church in Dess, Louisiana, four miles West of Florien. He was a regular in church and actively supported the growth of the church to better serve the older members and the young people.
Gordon is survived by children, David and Janie Anthony; Darryl and Kay Anthony; and Kristi Langton McCormick; grandchildren, Derek Anthony and wife Ashley; Jared Anthony and wife, Sarah; Clintt Corley and wife Tara; Caroll Corley and wife Stephanie; Blake Langton and wife Crystal; and Drayton McCormick; great grandchildren, Caroline Anthony; Amelia Anthony; Oliver Anthony; Gordon Anthony; Elle Anthony; Paisley Langton and Ethan Langton; Callee Corley; McKenzie Welch; Kristian Welch; Cannon Corley; Arianna Holloway; Preston Holloway; and Sailor Corley.
Brothers, Rev. Wilton Anthony; Charles Anthony and wife Claire.
Graveside funeral services were held on Saturday 18, 2021 at Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. Wayne Chance officiating. Burial followed in the Antioch Baptist Church cemetery.
Honoring him as pallbearers were Derek Anthony, Jared Anthony, Clintt Corley, Caroll Corley, Blake Langton, and David Brown and Mack Anthony.
Honorary pallbearers were Bobby Williams, Reagan Anthony, Kenneth Funderburk, Tim Anthony and Ed Corley.
