Lasting Memories

Susan Purchas Gordon
July 29, 1939-July 11, 2024
Plesanton, California

?Susan Gordon passed away on Thursday, July 11 in her home. Susan was a joyful, positive person who spent most of her time with her beloved family and friends. Susan was born in Detroit, MI, moving to Scottsdale, AZ with her mother for high school. She graduated from the University of Arizona and attended graduate school at Arizona State University and UC Berkeley. She was married to LaVern A. Bladon (Clearfield, IA) and then to Archie Thomas Gordon (Tucumcari, NM). In the early 1960s, Susan broke traditional conventions by fighting for women’s rights and being one of the few women in the world to earn a private pilot’s license. In the 90s, Susan worked in Silicon Valley for several high-tech companies. She left after 10 years to start her own small business in Pleasanton, which she ran for 30 years, tutoring and counseling hundreds of Pleasanton students to improve their grades and create successful college applications. Susan was an avid animal rescuer, helping to fund the Tri-Valley Human Society, and volunteering and donating to countless animal rescue organizations. She also loved music, reading, flying, and traveling internationally. Susan is survived by her five children: Christopher Bladon of Atlanta, GA; Rebecca Bladon Kuykendall (Dale) of Woodland, CA; James Bladon (Angela), of Tarzana, CA; Lea Reed (James) of Scotts Valley, CA; and Stephanie Gordon of Virginia Beach, VA. She is also survived by many grandchildren: Alexander and Gabi (Christopher) Bladon; William and Elizabeth (Rebecca) Kuykendall; George, Charles, and Christopher (James) Bladon; and Jimmy, Willa, David, and Ava (Lea) Reed. Susan’s friends and family are invited to gather for memories and refreshments on Saturday, August 3rd from 11:30am - 12:30pm at the Graham Hitch Funeral Home.