Gordon's Obituary
On November 16, 2022, Gordon Naylor was called home to his Savior. Born March 21, 1928, to Oates and Odys (Puckett) Naylor in Bomarton, TX. At the age of 2 his mother was badly burned in a fire, so her sisters came to the rescue to take care of the children. Olan and Mirva Stewart took Gordon to raise him. Olen passed away when Gordon was 10 so Merva took him back to the family who had moved to Hobbs, NM in 1937.
In 1946, Gordon graduated early from Hobbs High School and went directly into the Navy. During his short enlistment, on the USS Char, he was able to travel to Hawaii, Japan, China, and the Philippines. He was honorably discharged in 1948.
He attended Abilene Christian University 1948-1952 where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. During these years Gordon, the only one having a car, drove young preachers around for their assignments. He began teaching adult classes, and when the opportunity came to preach, he stepped in. From 1952-1969 Gordon was the preacher at the Churches of Christ in Benkelman, NE, St. Francis, KS, Ulysses, KS, York, NE, Garden City, KS, Greely, CO, and Fort Collins, CO.
In November 1970, Gordon began preaching at the Great Falls Church of Christ. He was a bachelor until he found the love of his life. He married Betty (Cummings) Grisham on March 8, 1974. Betty had 2 sons, so they became an instant family.
Gordon and Betty decided that their family wasn’t complete. They wanted to adopt a little girl. The adoption agency called to let them know they found their little girl; however, she came with a bonus, a little brother. They didn’t hesitate, so in August of 1976 they drove to Denver, Colorado to pick them up. That little boy was the light of his life.
He retired from preaching in Great Falls in 1993. For the next 11 years they drove to Havre and Chinook, MT to preach every Sunday. He also served as an Elder at the church in Great Falls. He served the Church here for 47 years.
Gordon is survived by his loving and dedicated wife, Betty; brother, Jack Naylor of Albany, OK; children, Douglas (Lynn) Grisham, Richard (Laurie) Grisham, Korena (Cameron Riggin), and Jerry (Kristy) Naylor; 9 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oates and Odys (Puckett) Naylor; brothers, Orville, Leonard, and Connell Naylor; and sister, Seba Pate. He will be greatly missed by all that know him.
There will be a service to celebrate his life on November 21, 2022, at 11 am at the Church of Christ, 1300 6th St NW, Great Falls, MT. The service will be live streamed on the Great Falls Church of Christ Facebook page.
