Gordon Douglas Duffus, 79, of Jacksonville, North Carolina died on May 19, 2026, at Crystal Coast Hospice House. Memorial services will be held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 2:00 PM at St. Anne's Episcopal Church in Jacksonville.

Gordon was born on December 16, 1946, in New York City, New York to the late Robert Walter Duffus and Johanna Smith Duffus. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Donald; his son, Robert; and his daughter, Paige.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Slaughter Duffus; his brother, Robert, Jr.; his sister, Marilyn (Guy); his daughter-in-law, Pam, and granddaughter, Daryn; his son, Iain (Erin), and grandchildren, Mackenzie and Lennox, as well as his extended family and many friends. He will be missed dearly.

Gordon proudly served his country from 1964-1968 in the United States Navy with much of that time on the USS Independence aircraft carrier. He later protected his community for sixteen years in law enforcement, beginning in Prince William County in 1974 as a Juvenile Investigator. Gordon then moved to the Petersburg Police Department where he retired as a Homicide Detective. In 1987, he received the Police Purple Heart for being seriously wounded in the line of duty.

At the 1976 Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games, Gordon became one of the founding members of the Clan Sutherland Society of North America serving as Vice President for several years and Historian for the rest of his years. Gordon was a longstanding member of the American Legion and often donated his time and talents to the Episcopal Church.

Few knew that as the first Manhattan-born astronaut, Gordon often moonlighted as a landscaping consultant at Duffus Castle, Scotland. He was also Assistant Fashion Consultant to the Dalai Lama during His Holiness’ trip to Palm Coast's Walmart.

Gordon leaves behind a legacy of laughter and bravery, storytelling and community service. His spirit will live on through the family he loved so deeply and the memories they will forever carry.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Tunnels to Towers Foundation at t2t.org