Jim Gordon, who worked with Morpheus Lights from the late 1980s and served as that company’s vice president of sales and marketing before leaving in 2001, died May 11, 2014 from complications related to recovering from a liver transplant. He was 63.
Along with his prominent role at Morpheus Lights — he served as a spokesman for the company for many years — Gordon served as director of business development at ShowPro from 2002-2009. He then worked as senior vice president of production for Strikeforce, the San Jose, CA-based mixed martial arts/kickboxing organization. In 2011, Gordon parted ways with Strikeforce when they were acquired by the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) league.
In 2013, Gordon joined the Glory kickboxing organization. He served as vice president of global events there until his liver illness became too severe to continue working.
In December 2013, Gordon underwent a liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL, but he had to battle additional health issues and never fully recovered. Those included an episode of cardiac arrest that left Gordon with a severe brain injury.
Along with his career in live event production, Gordon, originally from Oakland and raised in San Jose, CA, was a talented keyboard player, trumpet player and vocalist and held a prominent place on the South Bay Area music scene for many years.
After performed and touring as a member of the Gary Smith Band and another band, Daddy-O, Gordon served for many years as the bandleader and founding member of The Groove Kings, a popular South Bay “rock and soul” band.
His two daughters, Lauren and Marissa Gordon, noted how Jim Gordon was “an amazing father to his girls and a big lover of music.” They recalled how their father “loved putting on a show and entertaining people. His work ethic and talent as a live event producer was unprecedented, and he touched so many people through events and music.”
Along with his daughters, Gordon is survived by two sisters, Diana Gordon and Carol Zaworski. He is predeceased by both parents.
Services have not been announced, but the family asks those wishing to make a donation in Jim Gordon’s memory to contact the Mayo Clinic, which can be reached at www.mayoclinic.org.
