Gordon N. Christiansen, 82, of Arcadia, Fl. passed away at his home on Sunday evening, March 22, 2009. He was born in Syracuse, New York on August 10, 1926, and is predeceased by his father and mother, Carol and Margit Christiansen, and his sister, Greta Mayberry.Gordon retired to Arcadia, Fl. in November, 1981, from his last post for IBM Federal Systems at the Kennedy Space Center. He was the Procurement Officer between IBM, NASA and Mc Donald Douglas, and was one of those person most instrumental in getting the first space shuttle, Columbia, launched.Joining the U.S. Navy at age 17, Gordon served on the U.S.S. Topeka in the Pacific Ocean in World War II, getting an honorable discharge in 1946, and receiving the American Theater Medal, the Victory Medal and the Asiatic Pacific Medal, 2 stars.Gordon was a Federal Systems Contract Negotiator/Manager for I.B.M Owego, and was a member of the "Twenty-Five Year" Club. Not one to sit still for long, upon retirement Gordon, a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Arcadia, served on the Prayer Group; the United Methodist Men's Group, Administrative Council and was an Adult Sunday School Teacher. He was the President of the local Gideon's camp for 20 years. An organizing member for the Arcadia Center for the Needy, he received the"Outstanding Leadership Award" for his many years as Director for the Center. Gordon also started the "Open Door Mission" in Owego, NY, having first served in the role of Deacon.Marrying the love of his life on February 18, 1951, Gordon is survived by his wife, Dolores Christiansen, two daughters, Diane Wolcott and Karen Sherman, 5 Grandchildren, Dr. Katy Markell and spouse, Matthew Markell, Thomas Gordon Wolcott and spouse, Dr. Susan Wolcott, Jonathan Wolcott and spouse, Jacqualine Wolcott, Benjamin Wolcott and his girlfriend, Jessica Mendez, and Rebekah Thompson, and 3 Great-Grandsons, Tommy Wolcott, Jack Wolcott and Joshua Markell and 2 neices and nephews, Margit Mayberry, Leslie Anne King , Jack Mayberry and Peter Mayberry.A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, March 26 at the Trinity United Methodist Church in Arcadia, Fl. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to the Gideon's___so the Word may be continued, Trinity United Methodist Church Soup Kitchen___so the needy may be fed, and Trinity United Methodist Church Building Fund___so the House of God remains open.