Harold Eugene Gordon, of Jasper, Arkansas passed away Friday, August 25, 2017 in Harrison, surrounded by his family at the age of 81.

The son of William Jesse and Edna Jewel (Baker) Gordon was born February 13, 1936 at Manila, Arkansas.

Harold moved to Jasper 47 years ago from Bogalusa, Louisiana and attended Jasper First Baptist Church. He and his wife purchased the Gordon Motel in 1970 from his uncle. A longtime asset to the Jasper community, the hotel has been a resting place for travelers enjoying the beauty of the Ozarks for generations. In 1987, Harold opened Buffalo Canoe and in 1991, he added a canoe factory at Spider Branch, where he and his family made their own canoes. The Gordon Motel and Canoe Rental had a partnership with the National Park Service for over 40 years, and they carried one of the original canoe rental permits issued from the park service when it began control of the Buffalo River.

Harold was a Grand Mason and a former member of the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department. He was instrumental in forming the Newton County Jaycee's, building the Newton County Fairgrounds and the Arkansas Baptist Boys Ranch. He loved helping kids and was a federal juvenile probation officer for 8 years in Harrison. He also enjoyed spending time visiting with everyone at Sharon K's and Ozark Café until his health no longer permitted.

He loved horses, including training and riding them; basketball, activities with his family, camping, taking the camper to the lake and traveling with Rosalyn. He was an avid historian and loved visiting with his hotel guests about canoes and places to visit in the Ozarks. He looked forward to his annual pheasant hunting trips to Iowa with local friends and businessmen in Jasper. Harold had a strong love for family and his community, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and a loyal friend who will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Wanda Gail Countess.

Harold is survived by his wife of 60 years, Rosalyn Gordon of the home; two sons, Ricky Gordon and wife Candace Wells and Gary Gordon all of Jasper; four grandchildren, Katherine Gordon Rider, Whitney Gordon, Garrett Gordon and Trenton Gordon; and five great grandchildren, Hailey McCauley, Trey McCauley, Jamison Thomas, Luke Rider and Brinton Wells.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 2, 2017 at Jasper First Baptist Church with Pastor David Faught, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Jasper Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 PM Friday at Coffman Funeral Home in Jasper.

Pallbearers are Adam Rider, Eddie Mark Edwards, Carol Morris, Larry Hudson, Frankie Hudson, Shawn Stratton, Gary Bergeron, Joey Brasel, Bobby Raulston, Law Ponder, Darrell Jones and Joe Kinney.

On-line condolences may be left at coffmanfh.com.