Nedra Clair (Callender) Gordon

Nedra Clair Callender was born the only child of Evelyn Wright Callender and Clair Arnott Callender in Springer, NM on August 26, 1927 and passed away on May 25, 2017 in Albuquerque. Nedra attended schools in Santa Fe and Dallas, and then graduated from Albuquerque High School in 1945. She then attended the University of New Mexico graduating in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation from the first Marine Corps Women’s Officers Candidate School following WW II at Quantico, VA in the summer of 1949. She then worked as a bacteriologist and medical technician in Albuquerque prior to her marriage to Larry in 1950, and then they moved to Silver City where Nedra worked as the bacteriologist for the health department.

Nedra lived in Albuquerque for over 60 years, and she was a dedicated member of the Assistance League of Albuquerque for many of those years. She was always concerned with the health and welfare of her family, and supported their effort and achievements. She enjoyed bowling, bridge, travel, reading, and was a golf enthusiast active in many golf associations, including Pendaries Village in northern New Mexico where Larry and Nedra enjoyed their summer retirement home on the mountain golf course.

A third-generation New Mexican whose great grandparents arrived in northern New Mexico in the 1870s, Nedra enjoyed a rich life in the company of her three children, five grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clair and Evelyn Callender; and son-in-law, Rick Dunlap. Nedra is survived by her husband of 67 years, Larry; daughter, Debbie G. Dunlap of Albuquerque and her daughters, Dana Schaefer of Lubbock and Dana's daughter, Savannah of Albuquerque as well as Kim Milliman and husband, Robert and their son, Mason of Houston; son, Kent L. Gordon and wife, Elli Gordon and their daughter, Bianca Gordon of California; and son, Gary L. Gordon and wife, Terri Giron-Gordon of Albuquerque and their children, Celine and Bryce.

The family wishes to thank all the caregivers at The Retreat at Oxbow North for their loving attention in the years since Nedra suffered a debilitating stroke. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages a gift to the Stroke Program at UNM Health Sciences Center in care of the UNM Foundation, 700 Lomas NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102. The family will hold a reception to remember Nedra and greet friends at the home of her daughter on Saturday, June 3, 2017 between the hours of 4:00 and 6:00 p.m.