Gordon Earle Maroney III

The Reverend Gordon E. Maroney III passed from this earthly life of natural causes in his family home on December 2, 2024. He was born on August 14,1948. His early years were spent in Huttig, AR and later his father’s job led the family to Smackover, AR. He graduated from South Arkansas University-School of Graduate Studies. His career was spent teaching advanced mathematics in the Camden and Camden-Fairview High Schools. The last two decades of his life were spent serving as an ordained priest in the Episcopal Diocese of Arkansas. Gordon served St. John’s Episcopal Church in Camden and St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Hope. Much of his free time was spent playing with his cats or enjoying a competitive game of “Bridge”.

Gordon was a quiet man, always in the role of a teacher. He was passionate about things he saw as socially unjust and his responses to perceived injustice varied. He was never afraid of reprisal. An indelible vision of Gordon is standing at roadside during the morning rush of traffic, in front of the high school, in the rain, under an umbrella, smoking his pipe! He had been told he could no longer smoke in his school building and felt that his students needed to see that “(He) was, as they were, not voiceless in the face of injustice.”

As a teacher in his church, long before ordination, he instructed all acolytes in the ways and meanings of liturgy. He also, taught the care of the altar and fostered a reverence for the history of the church.

In his role as a teacher, he brought the world of complex mathematics to countless young people, enriching their lives and potentials for future success. He also developed and coached the “Quiz Bowl” team, while leading them to regional championships.

In his later years, with energy waning, he sought wisdom from many sources and shared it daily with all of us. Perhaps his most important lesson is that in all actions and interactions we should pursue life affirming paths before all others.

He is preceded in death by his father, Gordon E. Maroney, Jr., his mother, Myrtle Waldrop Maroney, and his brother, Michael R. Maroney. He is survived by his sister in-law Lora Maroney of Arkadelphia, several special cousins and his long time hunting buddies Lynn and Jeff Andrews of Wynne, AR.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 7th at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Camden, AR. It will begin at 11:00 AM. His interment will immediately follow at the Harper’s Springs Cemetery in Huttig, AR.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church.

Addresses: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 117 Harrison Avenue, Camden, Arkansas 71701, and Harper Springs Cemetery, 727 Harper Springs Road, Huttig, Arkansas 71747.

Condolences can be expressed online at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.