| Graduation Year | Class of 1954 |
| Date of Birth | Mar 15, 1936 |
| Date of Passing | Mar 25, 2009 |
| About | James Gordon Mol was a highly respected, accomplished man who regarded his family as his greatest success. He was even tempered, good humored, easy going and kind hearted. With his steady personality and generous spirit, he accepted people as they were and helped others whenever he could. James Gordon lived a life of commitment to his family, his community and the many friends he made along the journey. James Gordon was born to John and Emma (Feutz) Mol on March 15, 1936 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It was a decade of economic turmoil at home and political unrest in Europe. American families found inspiration from President Franklin D. Roosevelts Fireside Chats and continued to make a life for their children amid the hardships of the Great Depression. Such was the case for Gordons father, who supported his family as a plumber, while Gordons mother cared for their three sons at home. When Gordon was two years old, the family moved to Charlevoix in northern Michigan. He and his older brother Jack and younger brother Bob, had a wonderful childhood filled with many activities, especially sports. In high school, Gordon played basketball and football, ran track and took up photography as a hobby. In the summer, he worked at a golf course and as a life guard. When he graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1954, Gordon was ready for whatever awaited him in college. That same fall, Gordon enrolled at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. He went there with his high school friend, Darlene Mason, and soon the two of them were dating regularly. Their relationship grew into love and commitment and, on September 7, 1957, Gordon and Darlene were united in marriage at Charlevoix Congregational Church. They returned to CMU, moved into married housing and soon began their family. Gordon and Darlene were blessed with two children: daughter Karen, born in 1958 and son Jeff in 1960. In between time, the young parents graduated from CMU in 1959, and Gordon took his first teaching position that fall as an Industrial Arts teacher at Beach Jr. High and Darlene taught kindergarten. They moved next door to the junior high on Medema Street and invested their lives in the community. Over the years, they had great times with many friends from Beach school and from Gordons card playing buddies. However, when summer rolled around, the Mol family headed back to beautiful Charlevoix for their vacation. Gordons career advanced when he became principal of Beach Jr. High in 1963 and earned a masters degree from Western Michigan University in the late 60s. In 1968, he assumed the role of principal at Fruitport Middle School in Fruitport, Michigan, and the family eventually moved into their present home on Walker Road. In addition to their family and school commitments, Gordon found time to golf, read, tend a large garden, form a rock collection and craft woodwork. He was a longtime devoted member of Fruitport Congregational UCC and Fruitport Lions Club, an avid Civil War buff and a Detroit Tiger fan. Gordons multiple talents kept pace with his expansive interests. Gordon was very committed to his family which, at times, included other children who came to share his home. In 1970, Darlene and he fostered one child, then another in 1976, and several others after that. In addition, the family welcomed many exchange students over the years, so it seemed there were always kids coming and going in the Mol household. In 1980, the family grieved over the death of Gordons mother, with whom he shared a special bond, and then his father died in 1982. As his children, Karen and Jeff, moved on and began their own families, Gordon and Darlene became empty nesters. Still, their lives were full with many community activities and the expansion of their family through grandchildren. With the births of granddaughters Cory in 1987 and Jessie 1989, Gordon and Darlene were ecstatic. They were very involved grandparents, going to sporting events and other activities that were important to the girls. Papa loved his grandchildren and they knew it. In 1990, after 30 years as an educator and principal in Fruitport, Gordon retired. Though he had concluded his service with the school, he remained active in his church and as a leader in the community. He enjoyed his many friends in Fruitport and his PHI SIGS Fraternity brothers in Charlevoix when they gathered regularly (every third year) for reunions. In retirement, Gordon and Darlene took trips out west, traveled to New York and Washington DC and wintered in Alabama. It was after a wonderful trip to Florida with their son Jeff and his wife Heather, that Gordon showed signs of failing health. On February 27, 2009, Gordon was diagnosed with cancer, and within the following month, his health severely declined. Sadly, he died on Wednesday, March 25th, leaving his loving family to grieve their loss yet celebrate Gordons life of purpose, integrity and devotion. Mr. James Gordon Mol, age 73 of Fruitport, Michigan is survived by his wife, Darlene of Spring Lake; son, Jeff (Heather) of Hamilton; daughter, Karen Kraai of Montague; granddaughters, Cory & Jessie; brother, Bob (Mary) Mol of NY; several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Jack in 1987. A service to celebrate Gordons life will be held Monday, March 30, 2009, 11:00 AM at Fruitport Congregational U.C.C. with Pastor Donald Wood officiating. Friends and relatives are invited to visit with Gordons family on Sunday, 3-6 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Fruitport. Memorial contributions made to Fruitport Lions Charities or Muskegon Rescue Mission are greatly appreciated. To archive a memory or photo of Gordon or to sign the online guest registry, please visit www.lifestorynet.com. |
