Gordon James Gaines

He was born January 10, 1929, in Munday, Texas, the first son of James Robert Gaines and Maggie Lee Bilbrey.

He attended Lone Star and Love Creek rural elementary schools before graduating from Weinert High School. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business degree in 1950 and thereafter completed a Master of Education at Texas Tech in 1955.

While an undergraduate, Gaines supported himself by work at Eat & Run Meal on a Bun and then by driving an ambulance for Rix Funeral Home.

Gaines married Yvonne Austin 1950. The couple had two children, Gerald and Linda, and divorced in 1972. He married Sharilene Kirk in 1974 and had one daughter, Julie.

Gaines taught junior high math and science at New Home, Lubbock, and Ropesville I.S.D’s from 1950 to 1959. In 1959, he began a career with the Ector County I.S.D. serving as principal at Rusk, Fannin, Sam Houston, and Goliad elementary schools. He retired in 1985 after 34 years in the field of education. He said his “greatest joy is seeing ex-students being successful.”

Gaines was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Sharilene.

Gordon Gaines is survived by a brother, Robert and wife Patricia of Abilene, a son, Gerald Gaines and his wife Beverly of Amarillo, and a daughter, Julie and her husband Andrew Allbright of Midland, three grandsons, Nicolas and wife Jennifer of Suwanee, GA, James and wife Megan of Crowley, and Jayden Allbright of Midland, two great-granddaughters, Hannah and Paden.

Gordon Gaines exemplified the best paternal qualities. He said he had a wonderful life having a great family, a rewarding career, and an attachment to Texas Tech.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 3, 2015, from 6-8 pm at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors 4635 Oakwood Drive, Odessa, TX.

The funeral will begin at 1pm Friday, December 4, 2015 at Memorial Christian Church, 1001 Andrews Highway, Midland, TX. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Hospice of Midland.

Services are entrusted to Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors.