Gordon William Ware, formerly of Kansas City, passed away April 23, 2003, at his home in Palm Desert, CA. He was born in 1933 in Springfield, OR. After graduating from the University of Oregon, Gordon taught school in Hawaii, and served in the United States Army in Germany. He received his M.B.A. from the American Institute of Foreign Trade in 1959. In 1960, he married Judith Claire Smith of Kansas City, MO. He enjoyed a successful business association with Hallmark Cards International, which spanned more than three decades, including positions as Director of Hallmark Caribe, as well as General Manager of Hallmark’s South American operations. In 1977, he became president and C.E.O. of Grupo HdM, a joint venture with Hallmark Int’l, serving South and Central America. Besides Kansas City, Gordon and family lived in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mexico City and Cuernavaca, Mexico, prior to his retirement to Fort Myers, FL, and subsequent move to Palm Desert, CA.

His greatest pleasures in life included gardening, painting and the inclusion of beloved friends and family in all endeavors. He is survived by Judy, his wife of 43 years, of Palm Desert; a son, Stanford of Pasadena, CA, and daughter-in-law, Kate; his daughter, Shannon, and son-in-law, Enrique Espino, and beloved granddaughters, Sofia and Isabel Espino, all of Pasadena.

Gordon will be remembered by those who loved him for his humor, compassion, insight and extreme generosity. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Valley Partners Scholarship Fund, 75295 St. Andrews Ct., Indian Wells, CA 92210, or to a charitable cause of the donor’s choice.

Source: Kansas City Star, The (MO) — Saturday, April 26, 2003