JORDAN -- Jess J., February 10, 1913 - January 17, 2006. "NO EVIL CAN HAPPEN TO A GOOD MAN EITHER IN LIFE OR AFTER DEATH" -- PLATO. Jess is remembered for his wisdom, integrity, wit, compassion, and love for his family. These qualities made for a life well lived. Jess was born to Frederick G. Jordan and Jocie Jordan in Morris, OK, and soon after moved to Preston, OK where he attended school and graduated from Preston High School. He attended college in Ada, OK. He moved to Hoisington, KS where he worked for Leader Oil Co. for 6 years. He entered the Army in 1942 and took his Basic Training at Ft. Lewis, WA. After being assigned to the 33rd Field Hospital he was sent to Africa. Campaigns that this hospital took part in were Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, and the Po Valley. The Anzio Beachhead Campaign in Italy was called by many as "one of the bloodiest battles of the war." The surgical group with whom Jess worked did surgery in the field of battle on any wounded that were brought to them -- being Germans, English, American, French, and Italians. While in service he earned the Bronze Star, 5 Battle Stars, 1 Arrowhead Landing Star, European Campaign Medal, African M. E. Campaign Medal, Army Defense Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the National Defense Medal. When he returned from the war, he moved back to Russell, KS where he worked 5 years for Phillips Petroleum Co. He joined the Pure Oil Co. and worked for 10 years in Nowata, OK before moving to Tulsa in 1960 where he worked for Tulsa Public Schools. He worked at Hale High School as a custodian and Building Engineer, moved to Memorial High School to be Building Superintendent and had the same position at Central High School. He retired in 1977. Preceded in death by his parents; a sister and her husband, Edna and Roy Webb, Preston, OK; and a brother in California, Joseph Jordan. Survivors are wife of 64 years, Bernice Dunham-Jordan; a son, Michael R. Jordan of Tulsa; several nieces and their husbands, Mary Jo Payne-Luney and Dale Luney of Preston, OK, Beverly Dunham-Phillips and Gerald Phillips of Tulsa, Barbara Dunham-Hold and husband, Harvey from West LaFayette, IN. The family will always have a special place in their hearts for New Frontier Hospice and Hillcrest Specialty Hospital for their compassionate service to not only their loved one, but for the family members too. Jess was a Life Member of 32nd Degree Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Anzio Beachhead Veterans, Oklahoma Education Association and Retired Educators Assoc. A private inurnment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make a donation to the charity of choice or to New Frontier Hospice, 5147 S. Garnett, Tulsa, OK 74146. Jess was a special gift on this earth, but his family, friends, and Hospice givers saw him off to a far better place. Condolences may be sent to mcclendon-winters.com. McClendon-Winters Funeral Home, (918) 756-1677.
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