by Mike Sharkey
Staff Writer
There may not be too many around with as diverse a personal and professional resume as Gordon Morgan. He’s been a licensed cosmetologist, he’s sold dental equipment, he’s a former Marine, an avid Harley Davidson rider, dog lover and over the course of two stints with the Clerk of the Courts office, Gordon has done every job in the office.
In early January, Gordon will add to the resume when he begins pursuing his next career.
“I will hit the ground full steam ahead Jan. 7. That will be my full-time job,” said Gordon, who has filed to run for the State House of Representatives Dist. 17 seat currently held by Stan Jordan, who cannot run again due to term limits. “It will be my only job.”
Tuesday, Gordon filled out his retirement paperwork. He plans to turn out the lights Jan. 4 after being with the Clerk’s office for 21 years — the first time from 1974-77 and second from 1991 to the present. In the early ‘70s, Gordon was a trial clerk for Circuit Court judges Hudson Oliff, Cliff Sheppard and Virginia Beverly. Then things got interesting.
After a few years selling dental equipment, the 1961 Terry Parker High graduate parlayed his love of motorcycles — Harley Davidsons, in particular — into a tour of the country in search of a home and a job. He landed in San Jose, Calif., where he went to cosmetology school and cut hair for a year.
“I worked for a fella for a year, then bought him out,” said Morgan, whose office is filled with mini Harleys, various framed photos of the Jaguars, history books and plenty of pictures from his travels and his dogs. “I left Northern California a year to the day after the big earthquake (of 1989). I came back to Jacksonville in November of 1990. I came to the Clerk’s office in February of 1991 as a part-time temporary, filing files. I took my civil service test that September and became a trial clerk in 1995.”
Since then, Morgan has done literally every job there is in the Clerk’s office. In 1999, then Clerk of the Court Henry Cook appointed Morgan assistant to the Clerk. Four years later, Clerk of the Court Jim Fuller — who was just sworn in to office — appointed Gordon chief assistant.
Gordon said he’s not retiring because of age. He’s not retiring because he wants to run for office. He’s not retiring because he wants to tour the country on his Harley Road Gilder with side car. He’s retiring for a combination of all those things.
“I turn 64 on December 18. When Jim made me chief assistant, there were things he wanted to accomplish and he gave me direction,” said Morgan. “We have accomplished those things. I haven’t; this office has. We have very good, dedicated employees. They are here to provide for their families and do a good job. I have been lucky enough to work with those people.
“I want to enjoy my retirement. I’m still young. Motorcycle touring is a big part of my life and I want to enjoy it.”
Fuller said he appreciates Gordon’s service over the years.
“I think he’s done an excellent job. He is somebody who has been around a long time and he knows every department,” said Fuller. “We are sorry to lose him.
“He wants to try something new. It’s exciting to run for the State Legislature. It’s an opportunity because it’s an open seat. Everybody needs a goal. There’s life after the Courthouse.”
Fuller said he doesn’t plan to replace Gordon, per se. Instead, he is delegating the work to three recently created director positions. Each director is responsible for the divisions under them.
“It’s working out well,” said Fuller. “It’s giving the directors more of an opportunity to really understand what’s going on.
“We will see how it works in about a year. You can always go back.”
Fuller, who served in the Legislature from 1992-2000, said he has talked to Gordon about running for office and potentially serving as a member of the House.
“I told him it’s not easy. We talked about it for a long time,” said Fuller. “I told him he needs to go out and meet people, get votes and raise money. People make it (State Legislature) to be a real glamorous job. It’s an important job and I learned a lot. I think he’s doing the right thing.”