Frankie Dewain Gordon, 67, died June 10, 2026, at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, North Carolina. He was born on May 28, 1959, to Billy and Alice Faye Gordon.

Frankie was never known for being still or quiet, but he found a peace in his final hours that could have only come from God above.

Like the wind, Frankie blew in and out of our (dys)functional family. If you asked him about us, he might have told you how much he loved aggravating his sister, Mary Ellen. He would probably tell you about his hard-headed brother Danny, and he would surely mention his brothers Tony and Joe and how they had more common sense than the rest of us combined.

There would be stories of his nieces and nephews—Danielle, Joseph, Justin, Brittany, and Allisan. He'd tell you how he taught them to swing a hammer, drive a car, use a bottle rocket as a weapon, and scrap metal when money was tight. He'd definitely tell you about his great-nieces and great-nephews, because he liked them best of all. Carter, Amelia, Leland, Joseph, Charlie, Andrew, Emma, Sofia, and Luca brought immeasurable love and joy to his life.

Frankie was a career handyman and collector of discarded things. He loved a junkyard so much that he turned his own yard into one. He was an abstract artist, creating and displaying roadside eyesores for all to enjoy. He was the neighborhood DJ with loud speakers and a reluctant audience. He ate at least 50 watermelons every summer and always had Bojangles on his mind.

He'd leave you cussing mad, but he'd always come back around—with some junkyard treasure and a story too crazy to be anything but the truth. Mad or not, we know he meant it when he said, "Call me if you need me."

We didn't like all his ways, but we always loved him. There will never be another quite like our Frankie D.

A celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date. It won't be fancy, but there will be fireworks.

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to: SECU Hospice House, In Memory of Frankie Gordon, PO Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577.

Somewhere there's a place in your heart

Where the wounds never heal

Well you're not alone

That's just how I feel

Love conquers all

This one will last a lifetime

And if love conquers all

This one will last forever

"Love Conquers All" Deep Purple