GORDON B. AFFLECK DIES, EX-LDS PURCHASING CHIEF

Gordon Burt Affleck, who organized the purchasing department f The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1940 and headed it for 34 years, died Nov. 18, 1988, at his Salt Lake home. He was 84.

Funeral will be at noon Nov. 22 in the Federal Heights Ward chapel, 1300 Fairfax Road (Seventh Avenue). Friends may call Nov. 21 from 6 to 8 p.m. at 260 E. South Temple or at the ward one hour before the service.Mr. Affleck was born Sept. 18, 1904, in Salt Lake City and graduated from East High School. He left his engineering studies at the University of Utah to serve a mission in the British Isles.

He graduated from the U. in 1928 with a bachelor's in business and economics. Accompanied by the former Josephine Fisher, his bride of one day, he headed to Columbia University to attend law school.

Before he went to work for the church, Mr. Affleck had held numerous jobs. As a child, he worked in his father's grocery store. Later, he delivered newspapers and worked as a handyman at Saltair.

As a college student, he had been a secretary for cartoonist Robert Ripley, who drew the "Believe it or not!" feature.

He worked for two New York law firms, including one that served the National City Bank of New York.

When he returned to Salt Lake City in 1938, Mr. Affleck went into private law practice for two years. He continued practicing law as legal counselor for KSL for more than 47 years and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Federal Communications Commission.

Mr. Affleck earned national recognition as one of the country's leading purchasing agents during his career. He received the J. Shipman Gold Medal in 1967, the profession's highest honor, for conspicuous service.

He served as both vice president and president of the National Association of Purchasing Agents in the 1950s. He also published articles and books on purchasing.

He considered his seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren his hobby and had lunch with his family every Saturday. That weekly event, he said, kept him young.

(See obituary on Page B21.)