1927
Gordon
2024
Gordon Ray Scruggs
August 30, 1927 — March 8, 2024
Gordon Ray Scruggs, 96 of Bedford died peacefully on Friday, March 8, 2024. Gordon was born August 30, 1927 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, son of the late Onto Scruggs and Hollie L. (Tate) Scruggs.
Gordon grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma with his older sister Hollie Jo, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He bragged that he had the best parents in the world.
At a young age, Gordon went to work with his father at the feed store. They were known as “Pete” and “Repeat.” Later Gordon began working at the Dixie and Grand Theaters at the age of fourteen. He sold popcorn and candy at the concession stand. Soon his boss was impressed with his work ethic and asked if he would like to run the projector. Gordon said, “Yes.” This began his love for all western movies especially those starring John Wayne.
In November of 1945, Gordon left high school to serve four years in the Navy. He had no idea he would be participating in a nuclear weapon test series in July 1946 and making history. He left the Roosevelt Naval Station in San Diego, California aboard the USS Avery Island headed to Bikini Atoll located in the Marshall Islands. Known as Operation Crossroads, the series consisted of two detonations Able and Baker, a low altitude test and a shallow water test. The purpose of the test was to investigate the effect of nuclear weapons on warships. A fleet of 95 target ships was assembled in Bikini Lagoon and hit with two detonations of fat man plutonium implosion. This was the same bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan when WWII ended.
Gordon loved being crew member on his ship, doing KP duty, keeping the ship painted, putting out the fires and running the projector.
In 1949, Gordon moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and graduated from Central High school where he met and married Anne Banister. They had three children, two sons and a daughter.
Gordon also enjoyed target practice at the range and was always making people laugh with his witty humor! He loved to work and retired at the age of 78.
Gordon is survived by his children, Gordon E. (Pam) Scruggs, Rees Scruggs and Patti Necessary; five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
A private commital service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on April 19, 2024.
Gordon grew up in Holdenville, Oklahoma with his older sister Hollie Jo, cousins, aunts, and uncles. He bragged that he had the best parents in the world.
At a young age, Gordon went to work with his father at the feed store. They were known as “Pete” and “Repeat.” Later Gordon began working at the Dixie and Grand Theaters at the age of fourteen. He sold popcorn and candy at the concession stand. Soon his boss was impressed with his work ethic and asked if he would like to run the projector. Gordon said, “Yes.” This began his love for all western movies especially those starring John Wayne.
In November of 1945, Gordon left high school to serve four years in the Navy. He had no idea he would be participating in a nuclear weapon test series in July 1946 and making history. He left the Roosevelt Naval Station in San Diego, California aboard the USS Avery Island headed to Bikini Atoll located in the Marshall Islands. Known as Operation Crossroads, the series consisted of two detonations Able and Baker, a low altitude test and a shallow water test. The purpose of the test was to investigate the effect of nuclear weapons on warships. A fleet of 95 target ships was assembled in Bikini Lagoon and hit with two detonations of fat man plutonium implosion. This was the same bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan when WWII ended.
Gordon loved being crew member on his ship, doing KP duty, keeping the ship painted, putting out the fires and running the projector.
In 1949, Gordon moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and graduated from Central High school where he met and married Anne Banister. They had three children, two sons and a daughter.
Gordon also enjoyed target practice at the range and was always making people laugh with his witty humor! He loved to work and retired at the age of 78.
Gordon is survived by his children, Gordon E. (Pam) Scruggs, Rees Scruggs and Patti Necessary; five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.
A private commital service will be held at the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery on April 19, 2024.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Gordon Ray Scruggs, please visit our flower store.
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