Gordon Russell McNutt, Jr.

Gordon Russell McNutt, Jr., beloved husband, father, and brother, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, after a relentless fight against multiple myeloma and complications from congestive heart failure. He spent his final days surrounded by his devoted wife of 38 years, children, and sister.

Gordon was born on November 17, 1943, at the old St. David’s Hospital in Austin, Texas, to Gordon Russell McNutt, Sr. and Dorothy Marks McNutt. A fourth-generation Austinite, he was a member of the “First 1st Grade Class” at Casis Elementary in 1951 and later attended O. Henry Junior High and Stephen F. Austin High School at 12th and Rio Grande. He achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and continued to be a lifelong supporter of the Boy Scouts. His love for cars started at an early age cruising up and down Lamar Boulevard with his best friends from high school, usually up to no good! As a teenager, he was a lifeguard at Westwood Country Club where he later served on the Board of Directors. Gordon loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends on Lake Austin. He attended Camp Longhorn as well as Friday Mountain Boys Camp with some of his most cherished friends.

After graduating from Austin High in 1962, Gordon attended Colorado College where he pledged Kappa Sigma Fraternity and then completed his undergraduate business degree at the University of Texas at Austin in 1966. Following graduation, he packed his bags for Chicago, all of which easily fit in the trunk of his car (in true “Gordo” fashion). There he earned his Master’s in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

While he always considered Austin home, Gordon had a successful career in banking and real estate that took him to all corners of the country. He first worked at the Trust Company of Georgia in Atlanta and later made stops in Los Angeles, where his son Steve was born, and then Union Bank in San Francisco. Texas once again came calling, so he moved to Houston to work for First City National Bank where he met the love of his life, Kay Martin. She was initially skeptical of his charming wit, but he later convinced her to marry him in April of 1984.

Gordon continued his banking career in Austin where he and Kay had their children, Russell and Louise. His next professional venture was real estate investing and financing. In addition to various deals and projects, Gordon was appointed as a Special Commissioner of Travis County for condemnation proceedings. He enjoyed serving his community in this capacity lending his real estate knowledge and expertise to a variety of issues facing the city of Austin. To keep things interesting, Gordon also served as a business manager for a dear friend and Texas Country singer-songwriter who became like a third son. Fun was always had attending his shows and sharing a passion for fast cars.

Being the social butterfly that he was and in true Austin fashion, Gordon loved a good party and was involved in the Bachelors of Austin, Knights of the Symphony, Austin Assembly, and the Admirals Club. He was a loyal supporter of the Helping Hand Home for Children which his great-grandmother Laura McKean helped to establish in 1893. He was also a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.

Gordon, known by so many as “Gordo,” was truly larger than life. He was the life of every party and lit up every room he entered. His pride and excitement were ever present, whether he was firing the Ol’ Bart cannon at St. Stephen’s football games, cheering from the sidelines during field hockey games, or setting off one too many fireworks on the 4th of July. He never met a stranger and made everyone feel welcome and special no matter the place or occasion. One of these places was Lake Austin which in his mind was “as good as it gets.” A favorite pastime was driving around by road or water, giving tours and reminiscing on the place Austin used to be while also enjoying the new and exciting changes he experienced during his lifetime.

Up until his later years, Gordon was always on the move, whether opting to road trip over flying, driving down to the Gulf Coast to fish with his sons, or sailing in regattas with friends from Rockport and Port Aransas. He also enjoyed numerous bird hunting trips across Texas, the United States, and Argentina. Gordon loved spending time on just about any body of water, but most of all he was happiest on the lake, teaching his kids to water-ski or hosting friends and spending time at his family’s lake place.

Most of all, Gordon fiercely loved his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dorothy Marks and Gordon Russell McNutt, Sr., his son, Stephen (“Steve”) Bishop McNutt, and his brother-in-law, William Holland (“Billy”) Page. He is survived by his beloved wife of over 38 years, Kathryn (“Kay”) Martin McNutt, of Austin; his son, Russell Edward McNutt (fiancé, Emmy Bateman) of Lake Charles; his daughter, Louise McNutt Brazitis (Matt), of Austin; his sister, Lolla McNutt Page, of Austin; his niece, Elizabeth Page Ryll (Scott), of Atlanta; his nephew, William Holland Page, Jr. (Marly), of Austin; and extended family across Texas and the rest of the country.

Gordon was lovingly cared for by his family, friends, Dr. Elisabet Manasanch and the staff at M.D. Anderson, Dr. Jerry Fain and the staff at Texas Oncology, Dr. Jerome Thomas, Dr. David Tschopp, everyone at the Heart Hospital of Austin, Dr. David Vo and the staff at Capital Medical Clinic, Dr. Bob Frachtman and Austin Gastroenterology, the team of wonderful nurses and physical and occupational therapists from TheraCare Home Health, and Austin Palliative Care. While the multiple myeloma was successfully treated and remained in remission, it was followed by heart failure complications. Gordon put up a good, long fight with the support of so many for which we are grateful.

The family wishes to thank Lili and Pancho Muñoz, Mary Gil, Gloria Ojeda, Mary Jane Rivera, Millie Vargas, Michael Bailey, and Paul Estrada for their love and care throughout this journey.

Memorial contributions may be made to M.D. Anderson, the Helping Hand Home for Children, Boy Scouts of America - Capitol Area Council, the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, or your favorite charity.

Honorary pallbearers will be Milton Allen, Paul Austin, Matt Brazitis, Walter Eeds, Vince Guarino, Bill Kirmse, Tommy Martin, Russell McNutt, Cory Morrow, Sid Orton, William Page, Jr., Buck Sandlin, and Billy K. Thomson.

A visitation will be held at Weed Corley Fish Funeral Home (5416 Parkcrest Dr. Austin, Texas 78731) on Wednesday, June 1 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A Celebration of Life service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd (3201 Windsor Rd. Austin, Texas 78703) on Thursday, June 2 at 2:00 pm.