Austin Louis Gordon, Sr., 73, passed on Saturday, February 20, 2016, with his family by his side in a local hospital in Lake Charles, LA.

Austin, "Tootsie" Gordon, Sr., was born December 3, 1942, to Dorothy Gordon Vital and was raised in a loving household by his grandparents, Oncy and Mary Gordon.  He graduated from W.O. Boston High School in 1963, and attended Grambling State University.  He met and married his loving wife, Mary L. Gordon and from this union two sons were born, Austin Louis Gordon, Jr., and Terrance Tramaine Gordon.

Austin attended Zion Tabernacle Baptist Church in his younger years where he sang with the Male Chorus and in the Mixed Choir.  Later in life, he became a faithful member of New Covenant Faith Baptist Church.

He served in the United States Army and was a member VFW post 551  in Lake Charles, LA.  Austin worked as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service.  He started his career in Houston, TX where he was a member of the postal union where he served as Union Steward at the main post office.  Austin later transferred to his hometown of Lake Charles, La., where he finished his 35 year career with the United States Postal Service.  But he wasn't done yet, for he was not a man to keep still.  He worked as a slot attendant for Isle of Capri Casino in Westlake, La., for ten years and Ned's Clothing Store for and additional five years.

Austin never met a stranger.  He greeted everyone with his charismatic smile, great conversation, and his "what happen was" stories.  He loved gardening, watching TV and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren.  He showed his perseverance, faith and what fighting the battle really meant.

Austin leaves to mourn his loving wife of 47 years, Mary; two sons, Austin (Chikytra) Gordon, Jr.,  and Terrance (Christina) Gordon of Lake Charles, La.; four grandchildren, Austyn, Michaela, Tyren and Shondalynn; his mother, Dorothy Vital; one uncle, Robert Gordon, (brother); one aunt, Ruby G. Boone, (sister); six brothers, Michael (Cassie) Vital, Robert Vital, Eddie Vital, Bryant K. Vital, Stafford (Jacqueline) Vital, and Gordon Vital all of Lake Charles; five sisters, Bobbie Jean Joseph, Paula Vital, Eddie Arlene (Darrell) Glasgo, Mary Denise (Elton) Rougeau and Della (Dexter) Fontenot all of Lake Charles, La.; two goddaughters, , Deidre Clark and Ericka Hoskins-Guillory and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Maudria Randall and one brother, Kenneth Patterson.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., at King's Funeral Home and funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., at New Covenant Faith Baptist Church, visitation at 8:00 a.m. Burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery under the direction of King's Funeral Home.

For words of comfort, please visit www.kingsfuneralhomela.com