Born in Brown Summit, North Carolina, Gordon received an Artium Baccalaureus degree from Elon College in 1941 and a Bachelor of Laws from Duke University School of Law in 1941.
He was in private practice in Alamance County, North Carolina, from 1941 to 1942 and then served in the United States Army during World War II from 1942 to 1946.
[1] On April 30, 1964, Gordon was nominated by President Lyndon B. Johnson to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina vacated by Judge L. Richardson Preyer.
Gordon was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 27, 1964, and received his commission on June 9, 1964.
He served as chief judge from 1971 to 1982, assuming senior status on July 12, 1982, and serving in that capacity until his death on May 4, 2002, in Greensboro, North Carolina.