“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”- 2 Timothy 4:7
Gordon “G.O.” Shealey was born on February 10th, 1948, in Flat Creek, Alabama to Gracie Mae and George Shealey, the fourth of their “magnificent seven” children. He passed from this life into eternity on July 2, 2026, at home with his wife and daughter present. He was many things, but most of all beloved by every person whose life he touched.
Like many Black Americans in the 20th century, the young Shealey family moved North. Gordon was five years old, first living on the Hill before moving to St. Clair Village, where he grew up. His family was the foundation of his life. In St. Clair Village and all over the South Side, he built strong bonds that lasted him a lifetime. At an early age, he met the love of his life, Charmayne M. (Wilson) Shealey, who he remained devoted to until his final breath. Gordon was educated at Phillip Murray Elementary School, Knoxville Junior High, and graduated from Carrick High School. While in school, he was a terrific athlete with a talent for connecting with people everywhere he went, a skill he retained for the rest of his life.
After graduating from Carrick, Gordon was drafted and served valiantly in the Vietnam War, being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1970. Returning to Pittsburgh, he and Charmayne welcomed two children, Thomas Gordon (1968-2025) and Sharene Shealey. He loved his children deeply, and imparted a lifetime of wisdom and tough love upon them. Gordon was employed by Duquesne Light for 43 years until his retirement. He also worked more than his fair share of shifts at The Bell, a St. Clair Village haunt managed by his father. In these years, Gordon shared joy with his entire family, creating memories to last a lifetime.
Known affectionately to his family as G.O., he never hesitated to be there for a sibling, a niece, a nephew, a child, or a grandchild. As the grandfather of eight and great-grandfather of one, G.O. built individual and special relationships with each one of his grandchildren. He was there for every birthday, graduation, and special moment for each of them. G.O. was known to arrive at family events with a multitude of children packed into his red Cadillac, taking care to impart life lessons and the same collection of Frankie Beverly CDs onto them. The entirety of the Shealey clan will miss his joyous presence.
Gordon was a fan of all things Pittsburgh sports and was one of the few people who you could catch wearing a Penn State hat and Pitt shirt. He was always fair and never biased (unless it was against the Ravens). He read daily, listened to understand, and had a sense of joyful realism that never faded. Blessed with a streak of luck, he loved playing the lottery, making wagers with his brother Ron, and had a standing date at the Rivers until his health began to fail. G.O. also enjoyed playing chess, being in community with his fellow Vietnam Veterans, a very specific brand of pork rinds, hoagies, Heineken, and many other things. His death represents the loss of a kind of man that is very rare in this day and age: brave, just, good, and most of all, kind. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Gordon was preceded in death by his parents George Hamilton and Gracie Mae (Vann) Shealey, his son Thomas, and his grandson Tariq Gordon Felix. Left behind to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 55 years Charmayne (Wilson) Shealey, his adoring daughter Sharene Shealey, his grandchildren Alexandra, Kennedy, Thomas, and Erin Bowens and Aneesah Shealey, Nasirah and Salimah Scott, his treasured great-grandson Kairo Bowens, his siblings Gwendolyn (Lionel) Deanes, George L. (Carolyn) Shealey, Louis (Alberta) Shealey, Eugene (Cassandra) Shealey, Ronald (Marcia) Shealey, and La’Fay (George) Pinchback, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Gordon’s ashes will be interred at Homewood Cemetery following a small ceremony with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests consideration of donations to the United Negro College Fund; G.O. emphatically quoted their slogan, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste!”
