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Post Office dedicated to Dr. Carl Gordon
By Karen Cohilas
ALBANY, GA (WALB) - The main courthouse in Albany is now the Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. Post Office Building, named in memory of a long time Albany physician and community activist.
A man of many titles... Dr. Walter Carl Gordon, Jr. served as the first African American Chief of Staff at Phoebe Putney Hospital, he served 25 years in the military, was a community activist. A man who will be remembered because of his good works, and his good name.
"The essence of the livelihood of Dr. Gordon, is he had a good name. He blessed people, his family, church, his community," said Rev. James Bush.
His wife Suzanne stood by his side for 52 years until his death last year. She's proud to stand in the building named in his honor today. "It is one of the most wonderful, magnificent things in my life."
Naming a federal building in honor of a person truly takes an act of Congress. "I've been at the post office 35 years and this is the first occasion that I've encountered of it," said Ron Bradley, Post Master.
While Bradley never had the fortune to meet Dr. Gordon, he's certainly learned he was no ordinary man. "I realize he's not your average man by a long shot."
Dr. Gordon was Robert Glover's uncle. He says not only was he instrumental in the founding of Morehouse School of Medicine, he was instrumental in growing new physicians, as Glover himself has become a cardiologist.
"Ever since I was small, he challenged me to excel, go beyond the norm and do better, do better, do absolutely level best in whatever you do."
A plague hangs in memory of Dr. Gordon in the lobby of the post office now named for him. His portrait inside. Here is the message his friends hope the community will take from Dr. Gordon's example.
"I believe that if all of us collectively were to emulate his life, Albany, the world over would be a better place for all of us," said Bush.
Legislation to rename the post office in honor of Dr. Gordon was introduced by Congressman Sanford Bishop and passed by unanimous consent.
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