Gordon Van Vleck was born in Placerville on a cattle ranch, the third generation to work that land. He attended Elk Grove High School and then Sacramento Junior College, where he was a music major, graduating in 1939.

He served 4 years in the US Army ETO during WW II, leaving with the rank of field artillery captain. In 1941 he married Verna Lewis, whose family had farmed in California since 1853.

There was a winter ranch in Amador County and a summer ranch in Sierra County. The whole family followed the cattle in their yearly journey.

Gordon was a long-time supporter of 4-H, youth livestock auctions, the Farm Bureau, and the University of California Extension Service. He also served on several advisory Committees for the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis.
In 1989 Gordon received the Award of Distinction from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis.

In 1961 he served as president of the California Cattlemen's Association; he was one of the founders and president of the Council of California Growers; Livestock Man of the Year in 1966; president of the American National Cattlemen's Association in 1974; appointed to the advisory committee on Trade Negotiation in 1975 by President Ford; president of the California Chamber of Commerce in 1979; and Secretary of Resources for Governor Deukmejian from 1983-1991. A highlight of this latter appointment was escorting Queen Elizabeth to Sutter's Fort in 1983. For 12 years he served on the board of Blue Shield of California.

Gordon was also active in his community, as a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, the Elk Grove Masonic Lodge 173, the Sacramento Scottish Rite, and the Sacramento Shrine. At home he was an avid reader and bridge player, belonging to 2 bridge clubs, one for 25 years the other for 40. He loved music.