Richard Jordan

Richard D. Jordan was first and foremost a believer in God and His Word. Among others, he cherished the following Bible verses: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first…” 1 Thessalonians 4:16 “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on. ‘Yes” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labors for their deeds will follow them.” Revelation 14:13 Richard Delmar Jordan was born on May 29, 1921 in Dowagiac, Michigan and died on May 26, 2009 in Roswell, New Mexico just 3 days short of his eighty- eighth birthday. He was a special gift to his parents, Zola and Henry Jordan, formerly of Dowagiac, Michigan, because he arrived on his mother’s birthday as the first surviving son after three sisters. He graduated from Dowagiac High School in 1939 as a star athlete in track and field and football. He enrolled in business college in South Bend, Indiana but was drafted into the army in 1941 before completing his course. He served in the army until 1945, first as a cadre, training new recruits and then in the Army Specialized Training Program at Louisiana State University. When this program was discontinued, he was accepted into the elite 10th Mountain Division, the first U.S. Army unit to be trained in mountain warfare. After rigorous high altitude preparation in the Colorado Rockies, his division was sent to Italy with the objective of dislodging the enemy from the heights of the Apennine Mountains. Sergeant Jordan was wounded in action in brutal combat where a third of his division were casualties. When the war in Europe ended, his division was shipped home to fight in the mountains of Japan. Instead, he was mustered out in 1945. His military honors included a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for bravery. On June 14, 1947, he married Jeanne Wagner of South Bend Indiana, a teacher of French and English. She survives him, along with their two children, Candace Russell and Tom Jordan, and their spouses Chuck and Sherryl, all currently residing in Roswell. He is also survived by two sisters, Alice Evans of Niles, Michigan and Willa Huffman of Dixon, Illinois and one brother, Forrest Duane Jordan of Long Beach, California, as well as many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind numerous respected colleagues and former students from all over the U.S. and from Ghana and Rwanda, in Africa. Dr. Jordan lived a life of selfless service to God, family, and country. Preparation for his work for others included not only undergraduate work in education at Atlantic Union College in Massachusetts but also a Masters in Education degree from UCLA and an Education Specialist degree in Linguistics from Michigan State University. He served as a teacher in New York, then later as a teacher and principal in California. He served 12 years as a missionary oversees, first as the Director of the Teacher Training College at Bekwai, Ashanti, Ghana then later as the Director of the Collége Adventiste de Gitwe, in Rwanda. He was ordained to the gospel ministry during his years as a missionary. Upon returning to the U.S., he continued his career as a Professor of Education at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan, where he was also principal of the Junior High School and supervised student-teachers in the Lab School. He officially retired in 1985 but not from service to others. He taught five years for the Berrien Springs Public Schools until he moved to Roswell in 1992, where he continued to teach for the Roswell Literacy Council until his loss of vision forced him into permanent retirement. Richard took pride in his beloved wife Jeanne, in his son and daughter and larger family; in his more than thirty years of genealogical research into the history of the Jordan clan (as well as some into the Wagner background of his spouse); in his hometown of Dowagiac and in his native state of Michigan; in the Lord he loved and trusted, and in his connection as a faithful member of his adopted church, the Seventh-day Adventist; in his service to his country in the “ski troops” and in his loyalty to his Army buddies who fought by his side in Italy; in his membership in the local chapter of the Purple Heart and in his service in the Veteran’s Honor Guard; in his contributions to the field of education and the success of his countless students; and in his ability to talk to almost anyone, often in words of their own language. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15 A memorial service will be held in Richard Jordan’s honor at the Roswell Seventh-day Adventist Church at the corner of South Union Avenue and West Jaffa Street on Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 4:00 pm. Pastor Ken Davis will lead out in this celebration of his life. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson-Bethany Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the Roswell Literacy Council (609 West Tenth Street) or ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency at 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600).

Richard Jordan

May 29, 1921 - May 29, 2009