Headstone for Homeless Friend Gordy
Donation protected
Please help fund a headstone and floral casket spray for our friend Gordy.
6 years ago shortly after moving to the city of Detroit, I befriended a homeless man named Gordon King. I would see him nearly daily at the corner of Chrysler Dr and Larned Street and would often bring him breakfast on my way to work. Once, when I asked him what I could get for him, his request was a simple "new socks and underwear".
Gordy always had a smile and a kind word for me and was always appreciative of any kind gesture, no matter how small. When I had to stop for gas rushing to get to OH to be with my dad in his final hours, I ran into Gordy inside the station. I was sobbing and when he saw me he came right over with the utmost concern and asked what was wrong. When I told him my dad was dying he gave me a quick hug and told me he would pray for him. I'm confident that his prayers joined a choir of others that ushered my dad from this life to the next.
This January, while working with dear friends, ministering to the homeless in downtown Detroit, I was hopeful that we would run into Gordy, who I had not seen in over a month. When we inquired, about him. We were told that he had been in the hospital.
Months passed and I still did not run into my friend. He remained in our prayers and I was hopeful that perhaps after being in the hospital a social worker had been able to secure housing for him.
On April 21st I was compelled to drive past "Gordy's Corner" wondering if I would see him. He was not there and I spoke to another man who had claimed the corner that morning. I asked about Gordy and he was surprised that I knew him. In such a kind and sincere way, he let this stranger know that Gordy had passed away "about 2 months ago". I started crying but instantly recalled a below zero day when I ran into Gordy with my young daughter. I asked him where he was staying and he pointed to an area under the bridge over pass. I started crying then too and he said "oh, please don't cry, I'm alright." I knew then too that Gordy was alright, resting in the arms of our savior.
With the help of a close friend in the funeral business in another state, I went to work to try to find out where Gordy was and if he had had a funeral. I quickly learned that he was still at the Wayne County Coroner's office as they were still looking for next of kin. I reached out the The Pope Francis Center in Detroit to see if they knew anything about Gordy. They knew him and Fr Tim and his assistant Joe took on the task of identifying Gordy. Since that time we have been working on securing a funeral home who would take on Gordy's final services, getting a burial plot and going to probate court to get Gordy released from the morgue as no next of kin could be found. His memorial service is Thursday August 9th at 10:30 am at Ss Peter and Paul Jesuit Church 438 St Antoine St Detroit MI 48226.
The last piece now is funding a headstone for Gordy and flowers for his casket. Please consider donating even just $10 to ensure we can get Gordy a proper headstone when we lay him to rest. Any and all funds collected that are in excess of what is need for his headstone and flowers will be donated directly to The pope Francis Center in memory of Gordy. The Pope Francis Center is an amazing Jesuit ministry located in the heart of downtown Detroit that aids the city's homeless. On an average day they welcome 170 guests and serve as many meals. Gordy was one of their guests.
How else can you help? If you are local please consider attending Gordy's memorial service on Aug 9th. And, where ever you are right now, please take a moment to pray for the repose of Gordy's soul.
God Bless you, Gordon King 4/9/53-12/29/17
popefranciscenter.org
ssppjesuit.org
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/detroit-woman-makes-sure-homeless-man-who-became-her-friend-gets-headstone-after-his-death
6 years ago shortly after moving to the city of Detroit, I befriended a homeless man named Gordon King. I would see him nearly daily at the corner of Chrysler Dr and Larned Street and would often bring him breakfast on my way to work. Once, when I asked him what I could get for him, his request was a simple "new socks and underwear".
Gordy always had a smile and a kind word for me and was always appreciative of any kind gesture, no matter how small. When I had to stop for gas rushing to get to OH to be with my dad in his final hours, I ran into Gordy inside the station. I was sobbing and when he saw me he came right over with the utmost concern and asked what was wrong. When I told him my dad was dying he gave me a quick hug and told me he would pray for him. I'm confident that his prayers joined a choir of others that ushered my dad from this life to the next.
This January, while working with dear friends, ministering to the homeless in downtown Detroit, I was hopeful that we would run into Gordy, who I had not seen in over a month. When we inquired, about him. We were told that he had been in the hospital.
Months passed and I still did not run into my friend. He remained in our prayers and I was hopeful that perhaps after being in the hospital a social worker had been able to secure housing for him.
On April 21st I was compelled to drive past "Gordy's Corner" wondering if I would see him. He was not there and I spoke to another man who had claimed the corner that morning. I asked about Gordy and he was surprised that I knew him. In such a kind and sincere way, he let this stranger know that Gordy had passed away "about 2 months ago". I started crying but instantly recalled a below zero day when I ran into Gordy with my young daughter. I asked him where he was staying and he pointed to an area under the bridge over pass. I started crying then too and he said "oh, please don't cry, I'm alright." I knew then too that Gordy was alright, resting in the arms of our savior.
With the help of a close friend in the funeral business in another state, I went to work to try to find out where Gordy was and if he had had a funeral. I quickly learned that he was still at the Wayne County Coroner's office as they were still looking for next of kin. I reached out the The Pope Francis Center in Detroit to see if they knew anything about Gordy. They knew him and Fr Tim and his assistant Joe took on the task of identifying Gordy. Since that time we have been working on securing a funeral home who would take on Gordy's final services, getting a burial plot and going to probate court to get Gordy released from the morgue as no next of kin could be found. His memorial service is Thursday August 9th at 10:30 am at Ss Peter and Paul Jesuit Church 438 St Antoine St Detroit MI 48226.
The last piece now is funding a headstone for Gordy and flowers for his casket. Please consider donating even just $10 to ensure we can get Gordy a proper headstone when we lay him to rest. Any and all funds collected that are in excess of what is need for his headstone and flowers will be donated directly to The pope Francis Center in memory of Gordy. The Pope Francis Center is an amazing Jesuit ministry located in the heart of downtown Detroit that aids the city's homeless. On an average day they welcome 170 guests and serve as many meals. Gordy was one of their guests.
How else can you help? If you are local please consider attending Gordy's memorial service on Aug 9th. And, where ever you are right now, please take a moment to pray for the repose of Gordy's soul.
God Bless you, Gordon King 4/9/53-12/29/17
popefranciscenter.org
ssppjesuit.org
https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/detroit-woman-makes-sure-homeless-man-who-became-her-friend-gets-headstone-after-his-death
Organizer
Tiffany Vangunten Brocker
Organizer
Detroit, MI
