John "Jack" Gordy, Iv

John Stuart Gordy IV, or Jack as he was best known, was born April 30, 1947 to Jack and Dortha Gordy. He was the 1st born son of six boys. Jack's beloved Grandma Engel lived in the home and was instrumental in making him the kind and generous person that he was. Grandma Englel helped nurse him back to health after an almost fatal case of polio when he was three. Jack attended St. Patrick's Catholic School. As an 8th grader, he helped build St. Patrick's Catholic Church; specifically, the gigantic angels. Jack began sweeping out the store for his future father-in-law, Ray, at Tener's Western Outfitters when he was 16. Jack went on to attend Bishop McGuinness High School and graduated from there in 1965. At McGuinness, Jack was a talented athlete, especially on the baseball field and shot put in track. He loved sports all his life and as an adult his passion turned to golf. He was lucky enough to play some of the best golf courses, including Pebble Beach.In 1967, Jack joined the Army Reserves. He graduated from Oklahoma City University with his B.S in Accounting in 1970. Jack met the love of his life, Katie Tener, when they were 15. After being introduced to Katie, he turned to his friend later and stated "I'm going to marry that girl." And he did! They were married March 22, 1969 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. They shared 52 years of joys and sorrows and were an inspiration to many with their love story. To that union was born 5 beautiful daughters, who all believed that they were their Daddy's favorite. Jack was so proud to become a PaPa to his 8 grandchildren.In 1979, Jack and Katie had an opportunity to buy a house in the neighborhood in which she had grown up in Gatewood, affectionately known as the Catholic Ghetto. They were passionate about their Catholic Faith and strived to give this Treasure to their children. They were very active members of St. Francis of Assisi in various ministries. They prepared over 120 couples for marriage in the "Love and Deed" program. They began a successful "Very Married" social group that ended up inadvertently converting many spouses to Catholicism. Jack served as Pastoral Council President for 12 years and School Board President of Rosary School for 6 years. He was extremely honored to be one of the first lay Eucharistic Ministers at St Francis, along with Katie's uncle, Francis Sprehe. When they were 24, they started the process of buying Tener's from Katie's parents. At the height of the oil boom, Jack expanded and moved Tener's Western Outfitters from the stockyards to 4320 West Reno in 1979. To save the business after the oil bust, he took the show on the road and spent many years traveling through the United States to horse shows and rodeos with his portable storefront. Jack and Katie moved to Edmond in 1993 where they helped found a new Catholic Church, St Monica's. There he served on the Finance Committee and helped clean the church. They were parishioners there for 23 years.In June of 1995, Jack sold Tener's and began a new career as a financial planner for Chase. In 2015, Jack and his business partner, Yolie Kearns, began working for Waddel & Reed, where he loved ministering to people who had recently lost a spouse by giving them free financial advice. In 2012, Jack and Katie adopted their daughter Joanna's children, Dorena, Jorgia and Vera Gordy.Jack was afflicted with Parkinson's disease the last 13 years of his life and he handled this ravenous Beast with great grace, faith, humor and dignity. On April 12th, after a rough night of hallucinating, Jack's best childhood friend came to let Katie go to the grocery store. She told Dennis that Jack might just slumber after not sleeping the night. She went to kiss him goodbye and he asked, "Now, what time will you be home?" In his lucid moments, Jack talked with Dennis about golf courses they'd played and other memories. Then Jack had "an episode" where his whole body got rigid and shook violently. When he "came back," Dennis asked him if what just happened was as painful as it looked. He said, "No, I'm not in pain but I am exhausted." Then he shut his eyes and went to sleep. It was so peaceful; Dennis didn't even realize right away that he had died. Katie believes Jack couldn't leave her while she was there but he could let her go. God gave Jack a special gift by taking him before he had to experience the worse things this disease can do. The family would especially like to thank Physician's Choice Hospice for their wonderful care of Jack in his final days. Jack was preceded in death by his parents John and Dortha Gordy; his beloved Grandma Rena Engel and his brothers, Jeff and Pat Gordy. He is survived by his wife, Katie Gordy; their daughters and families: Jenny Farris (Todd) and children Caitlin Archer (Scott), Braden Farris and Anna Marie Farris; Joanna Gordy and her children Dorena, Jorgia and Vera Gordy; Jessica Smith (Charlie) and their son, Mason Smith; Jackie Callister (Chris) and their daughter, Beatrix Callister; and Julie Gordy (Jassen Smoot). He is also survived by his brothers, Jim Gordy, Joe Gordy and Mike Gordy and their families. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Jack's life can be made to Willow Pregnancy Center PO Box 94533 Oklahoma City, OK 73143.A wake will be Sunday, April 18th at 4:00 p.m., at Smith and Kernke, 14612 N. May in OKC. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 19th, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 900 S. Littler, in Edmond, Ok. A light lunch will be offered afterwards for family and close friends. We shall approach, trembling Nervous, no doubt But reassured and at peace As we tell the story Of our lives which only He can understand -Cardinal Basil Hume