Leroy Edward Gordon, identified as a 74-year-old male, passed away from natural causes at his home in Tacoma, Washington, on July 30, 2017. At the time of his death, Gordon was known to have no immediate family, prompting an extensive search for next of kin by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO). Despite their efforts, the medical examiner's office could not initially locate any relatives to make arrangements for Gordon's remains.
After the unsuccessful search for relatives, the decedent was entrusted to the contact rotation funeral home, where his body was cremated. The cremated remains were subsequently returned to the PCMEO for safekeeping. During the following weeks, a niece in California was eventually identified as a potential family member. Contact was made with the niece, who expressed her intention to claim Gordon's remains; however, further communication attempts failed as the phone number provided was no longer in service.
In light of these circumstances, an important aspect of Gordon's life came to light: he was a veteran, rendering him eligible for interment at the Tahoma National Cemetery. On November 30, 2017, the Missing in America Project, which aims to provide proper burials for unclaimed veterans, took responsibility for Gordon's cremains. His remains were respectfully laid to rest at the national cemetery, honoring his service and ensuring a dignified commemoration of his life.
Through the steadfast efforts of the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, key steps were taken to address the case of Leroy Edward Gordon. Despite the initial inability to locate kin, the eventual acceptance by the Missing in America Project underscored the significance of recognizing and honoring veterans, even when familial connections appear elusive. The case number for this investigation is 17-1545, and inquiries can be directed to the agency's contact number at 253-798-6494.
Date Found: 07/30/2017
