Colonel Gordon N. Dison Sr was born in Purvis, MS; son of Aaron Pierce and Irene Dison. He attended the University of Alabama and graduated from Jacksonville University with a major in Business Administration and a minor in Accounting.
He received his Commission in the US Army from the Reserve Officers Training Corp (ROTC) at Jacksonville and served in the Korean War in combat for 15 months as a Forward Observer, Battalion S-3, Battalion Executive Officer and Commander. He continued in the US Army Reserve attaining the rank of full Colonel serving as an instructor for the US Army Command and General Staff. His last 5 years assignment was at the Pentagon to the office of the Secretary of Army. Decorations include, the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, United Nations Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and The Republic of Korea Presidential Medal.
Colonel Dison retired from NASA and was responsible for the External Tank as Contracting Officer. He was a fellow in the National Contract Management Association, active in the US ARMY Reserve Program, the Retired Officers Association and was an active lobbyist for securing health benefits for retirees. He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis serving as President from 2008 – 2009, served in several positions at Holmes Street United Methodist Church Board, Redstone Officers’ Club Board, and Maxell Place Board Member. He was an original Board Member of Redstone Village Retirement Facility.
He was very interested in WWII history having lost a brother in France in WWII. He traveled as an Associate member of the 29th Infantry Division of which his brother was a member of, researching his brother’s time during the war.
Colonel Dison was proud of “coming from the farm”, completing his degree, being commissioned as an Officer in the US Army, serving his country, raising a family with values and three children in long lasting successful marriages. He was part of the “Greatest Generation” and America’s Team that put a man on the moon.
Colonel Dison is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ann Rogers; daughters, Cheri Dendy of Huntsville, AL, Susan Waller of Houston, TX; and son, Gordon Dison Jr. of Asheville, NC; 6 grandchildren; and 7 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. at Holmes Street United Methodist Church. The funeral service will immediately follow in the sanctuary. Internment will be private with full military honors.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Homes Street United Methodist Church.
