Charles F Gordon

CHARLES F. GORDON

‘OyamO’

Author/Playwright/Professor

It is with great sorrow that the family of Charles Franklin Gordon, 82, announce his passing on February 24, 2026, at the Brookdale Senior Living facility in Ann Arbor, Michigan from complications due to Alzheimer’s.

Born in 1943 in Lorain, Ohio, Charles, called Chucky by family and friends and known professionally as OyamO, attended Lorain City Schools. In 1962 he graduated from Admiral King High School, where he excelled in academics, was a distinguished honor student, president of the debate club, and editor of the school newspaper.

He attended Miami University, finished his bachelor’s degree at the College of New Rochelle, and received his MFA degree through Yale University. He has taught at Princeton University, College of New Rochelle, Emory University, Iowa University and was Associate Professor of Theater and English at the University of Michigan upon his retirement.

OyamO wrote for tv and stage. His plays have been performed across the country and in other countries. He was the recipient of the Guggenheim Fellowship, which is a very prestigious award. He also held fellowships from the Rockefeller, McKnight, and Berrilla Kerr Foundations, and the National Endowment for the Arts. In 1999 he won the Eric Kocher Playwrights Award for his play The White Black Man. He once said, “I hope my plays, the good ones and the bad ones, can contribute to improving the human conditions, to warning us what we face if we humans don't face up to and overcome our shortcomings, to speak truth to the people as opposed to the power.” He was a prominent influence in the growing canon of African American literature. He has written many plays throughout his career. He was one of Lorain’s best. He will be truly missed.

OyamO was preceded in death by his wife Carol (Keeling) and son Muhammad Ali Gordon; parents Ernest D and Bennie Gordon Sr.; siblings Betty Jean and Ernest Jr.; grandparents, The Rev. Benjamin and Texanna (Page) Franklin, and William J. and Gaynell (Devine) Gordon.

He is survived by his children, Kuma of Michigan, Noni of New York, Jessica Patrick of Michigan, and Robert David of Georgia; two grandchildren; siblings, Barbra Woolfork of Georgia, William of Texas, Sharon of California, Kenneth (Joann) of Lorain, and Gerald (Somsri) of Georgia; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and his closest friend and confidant Lorie Alcock.

The family would like to thank the Brookdale Senior Living facility of Ann Arbor, Michigan and The Nei Funeral Home of Ypsilanti, Michigan for their caring service.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Frank Silvera Workshop, the Black Theater Network, the University of Michigan theater department, and the Lorain County Alliance of Black School Educators.