Gordon Herbert Carlson, 91, died Monday Nov. 21, in O'Neill Healthcare, North Ridgeville, with his children at his bedside. A native of McKeesport, Pa., he was born Sept. 26, 1925, the son of Herbert Alric and Hulda Larson Carlson, and moved to Elyria with his family in 1935. An adventurous youngster, Gordon enjoyed guns and target shooting, soloed a Piper J-3 Cub at Lorain Airport, then enlisted in the Navy at age 17, hoping to secure a spot in flight school. When color-blindness prevented that, he was sent to gunnery school and became part of the Armed Guard, Navy gunners assigned to protect Merchant Marine vessels. A gunner's mate who showed an early knack for leadership, he was made a gun captain. At the battle of Okinawa in 1945, his transport ship was anchored off the coast of the small island of Ie Shima. When his ship was attacked by a Japanese kamikaze suicide bomber, Gordon was severely wounded in the resultant blast, earning a Purple Heart, while two buddies on his gun crew were killed. A member of Elyria High School's class of 1943, he went to college on the GI Bill after the war, earning a bachelor's degree in math from Ashland University and a master's degree in chemistry from Ohio University. Beginning as a chemist at Elyria's General Motors plant, Gordon spent his career there, retiring from Fisher Guide as Superintendent of Process Engineering after 33 years of service. He was also a stalwart member of First Baptist Church, spending a number of years as chairman of its Board of Deacons. During his retirement, Gordon enjoyed gospel music, working on his personal computer and eating hamburgers with his family at Smitty's. Active in planning his high school class reunions, he was also a member of the Disabled American Veterans, VFW and the National Rifle Association. Survivors include his daughter, Patricia Mae Wilson; his son, John William Carlson (Nancy); five grandchildren, Carla Ponting (Matt), Carrie Wisniewski (Tony), Cassy Hastings (Ben) Katherine Carlson, and John Gordon Carlson (Stephanie); great-grandchildren (Logan and Haisley Ponting, Vera Mae Wisniewski, Amber (Spencer) Patterson, Alyis and Brady Freeman. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Vera Mae (née Smith) Carlson, and his son-in-law, Robert Wilson, The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon Saturday November 26, 2016 at The Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home and Cremation Services 38475 Chestnut Ridge Rd. (at State Rt. 57) Elyria (440)322-4626. Graveside Services will be private at Brookdale Cemetery in Elyria where V.F.W. Post #1079 will provide full military honors. Gordon's family wishes to thank the staff of O'Neill Healthcare, whose love and kindness truly marked the last months of his life, making difficult days easier. Donations may be made to the charity of the donor's choice in his memory. Online condolences can be expressed at www.laubenthalmercado.com