News

Norm Gordon of Norm’s Minit Marts dies at age 69

By Nancy Waclawek, Published: July 8, 2017

Norman Haywood Gordon, founder of Norm’s Minit Marts, died Thursday, July 6 at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville after an extended illness, his son Ken Gordon said Saturday. Mr. Gordon was 69.

Mr. Gordon was born on July 27, 1948, in Asheville. He is survived by his wife Marilyn, sons Michael “Flash”, Kenneth and his wife Stephanie, and his granddaughter Leah. He is also survived by his sisters Doris Hollifield of Etowah, Lynda Wilson (David) of Morganton, and his brother Richard Gordon (Jackie) of Etowah. His extended family includes Viola Allison, Martha Shoemaker (Don), and Mark Allison (Donna), along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mason and Christine Echols Gordon, and brothers Wallace, Tom, and Gene.

He began his business career with Longview Shell in Mills River in 1970 and sold the first self-serve gas in Henderson County there. He later became vice-president of Skyland Petroleum Co. and established Norm’s Minit Marts in 1980. He continued to operate this business with his family until his death. In addition, he operated a Pizza Inn franchise in Flat Rock for a number of years.

In 2015, Mr. Gordon, his wife Marilyn, a former county commissioner, and their children donated $175,000 to Pardee Cancer Center to become the naming sponsor of the healing gardens at the new facility. Mr. Gordon made the gift in memory of his mother, who loved flowers and gardening and who died from cancer when she was 45 and Mr. Gordon was 12.

An opportunity to visit with his family and to celebrate his life will be announced by Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors later. Donations in Mr. Gordon's memory may be sent to the Pardee Hospital Foundation, 561 Fleming Street, Hendersonville, NC 28739 or to Elizabeth House at Four Seasons Foundation Office, 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731.