Denzel Gordon

(From Konantz Warden Funeral Home)

Denzel Dean Gordon of Lamar, Missouri, passed away on Wednesday September 2, 2026. He was born in Lamar, Missouri, on June 21, 1936, to Isa and David Gordon.

He was a proud graduate of Lamar High School, Class of 1955. Following high school, he joined the United States Air Force, where he had the opportunity to combine his service with one of his lifelong passions—photography. While in the Air Force, he took photographs from airplanes, beginning what would become a lifelong love of capturing memories through a camera.

After leaving the Air Force, he returned home to Lamar. He later married and moved to Wichita, Kansas, before returning to Lamar in the early 1970s, where he would make his home and become a familiar and well-loved member of the community.

Throughout his working years, he held many different jobs, including working at the bowling alley and taking on various odd jobs. He eventually began working for O'Sullivan Industries, where he worked in maintenance and as a tool and die maker until his retirement. Even after retirement, he continued to stay busy, working for Hardware Rental and serving on the city council.

Photography remained a special part of his life throughout the years. He operated a photography business because he truly loved taking pictures and preserving memories. He was also a man of many interests and hobbies. He loved guns of all types and even made his own bullets. An avid bowler, he spent many years enjoying the sport and the friendships that came with it. Whatever hobby he took up, he approached it with curiosity, enthusiasm, and enjoyment.

He was well known throughout the Lamar community and enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors. One of his favorite places to spend time was Castle's Shoe Shop in Lamar, where he loved hanging out, telling stories, and visiting with the friends he had made over the years.

His presence, his stories, his humor, and his friendship will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his son, David Bowes of Arvada, Colorado; daughters, Cynthia McIntire and her partner, Rick Marti, of Lamar, Missouri; Andrea Shaver of Lamar, Missouri; and Kandace Wallace and her husband, Vance, of Wichita, Kansas; brothers, Lister Potter and his wife, Judy, of Lamar, Missouri; Clayton Alumbaugh and his wife, Queta, of Sugar Land, Texas; and Jimmy Potter and his wife, Armeta, of Phillipsburg, Missouri; as well as 10 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Isa and David Gordon, and his brothers, David Gordon and Michael Gordon.

Though he is no longer with us, the memories he created, the photographs he captured, the friendships he cherished, and the love he gave his family will live on for generations to come.

He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.


The family would appriciate donations to the final expenses in leiu of flowers.

A funeral service will be held on Monday September 7, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Lamar Living Hope Church of the Nazarene.