Gordon Vincent Salsman
July 10, 1954 — February 2, 2022
Gordon Vincent Salsman, 67, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. A memorial service for Gordon is being planned for a later date. Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Marion, Iowa, is assisting the family.
Gordon was born on July 10, 1954, in Garberville, California, the son of James and Mary (Pesce) Nelson. He was a 1972 graduate of Sonora High School and went on to graduate from Simpson College in San Francisco, California, on January 31, 1978. On May 28, 1977, Gordon was united in marriage to Karen Swanston in Sonora California. He graduated from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California, on June 5, 1981. Gordon served as Pastor for Calvary Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon, Fresno First Baptist Church in Fresno, California, Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, served as an Associate Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, then served as pastor at First Baptist Church – Church of the Brethren in Cedar Rapids, and at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Marion.
Gordon and his two brothers all achieved the honor of being Eagle Scouts. Gordon loved technology and utilizing it for Christian outreach. He loved the churches he was called to serve and coordinated many mission trips. Gordon was regularly involved in planning youth events and camping programs for the American Baptist Churches of Oregon. While in Fresno, California, he volunteered as a Police Chaplain. Gordon was a great cook, making meals for hundreds of his church families and friends. He was the author of the book, Give A Dog, Learning To Do What You Can Do. The purpose of “Give A Dog” is to show God’s Love to children and others in need of God’s touch by sharing the Gospel, Prayer, games, and hot dogs. Gordon loved his family and was most proud of his title, “Popo” (Grandpa). He recently was approved to be a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer chaplain. Gordon will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gordon is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Karen Salsman of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Courtney and her husband Richard of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter, Sarah Salsman; two brothers, Richard (Claire) Salsman of Roseville, California, and Donald (Sherre) Salsman of New Mexico; and brother-in-law, Don (Pam) Swanston, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Nelson; and in-laws, Peter and Dorothy Swanston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the FLY (Feeding Lunch to Youth) Program in Marion.
Gordon was born on July 10, 1954, in Garberville, California, the son of James and Mary (Pesce) Nelson. He was a 1972 graduate of Sonora High School and went on to graduate from Simpson College in San Francisco, California, on January 31, 1978. On May 28, 1977, Gordon was united in marriage to Karen Swanston in Sonora California. He graduated from Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, California, on June 5, 1981. Gordon served as Pastor for Calvary Baptist Church in Salem, Oregon, Fresno First Baptist Church in Fresno, California, Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado, served as an Associate Executive Minister of the American Baptist Churches of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, then served as pastor at First Baptist Church – Church of the Brethren in Cedar Rapids, and at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Marion.
Gordon and his two brothers all achieved the honor of being Eagle Scouts. Gordon loved technology and utilizing it for Christian outreach. He loved the churches he was called to serve and coordinated many mission trips. Gordon was regularly involved in planning youth events and camping programs for the American Baptist Churches of Oregon. While in Fresno, California, he volunteered as a Police Chaplain. Gordon was a great cook, making meals for hundreds of his church families and friends. He was the author of the book, Give A Dog, Learning To Do What You Can Do. The purpose of “Give A Dog” is to show God’s Love to children and others in need of God’s touch by sharing the Gospel, Prayer, games, and hot dogs. Gordon loved his family and was most proud of his title, “Popo” (Grandpa). He recently was approved to be a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer chaplain. Gordon will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Gordon is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife, Karen Salsman of Cedar Rapids; daughter, Courtney and her husband Richard of Cedar Rapids; granddaughter, Sarah Salsman; two brothers, Richard (Claire) Salsman of Roseville, California, and Donald (Sherre) Salsman of New Mexico; and brother-in-law, Don (Pam) Swanston, Idaho.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mary Nelson; and in-laws, Peter and Dorothy Swanston.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the FLY (Feeding Lunch to Youth) Program in Marion.
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