Monticello Live

December 27 saw the passing of another member of the “greatest generation” – one who spent his adult life in service of others. Born in Drew County in 1925, James Jordan leaves a long legacy of service that should serve as a role model for generations to come.

As a soldier in WWII, Mr. Jordan served in the 101st Airborne as a member of A Company in the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment seeing much action in the European front and receiving a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart, among his many awards. He held a life membership in both the American Legion and the VFW. James Jordan was a man who loved his country and was proud to have been able to serve it. He was the last surviving member of his WWII company.

Later Jordan became interested in local affairs and entered politics in 1956 when he was elected to the office of county treasurer. He then served as Drew County Judge from 1961 to 1968. In 1969 Jordan ran for mayor of Monticello and served for 17 years, followed by a service of 11 years as State Representative.

During, and following, those years James Jordan was active, and held leadership roles, in many local and state civic and economic development agencies; including the Arkansas Municipal League, Southeast Arkansas Economic Development District (SEAEDD), Area Agency on Aging Board and the Arkansas Association of Rural Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils. He was also a founding member of the board of Delta Counseling and Guidance Center in Monticello.

He was a founding member of the SEAEDD Board and the last surviving original member of that board. He was also a founder of the RC&D program and served as board president until just this past year.

He served his state well in other areas. In 1979-80 Mr. Jordan served as a delegate to the Arkansas Constitutional Convention. In 1984 then-Governor Bill Clinton appointed him to the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Board. Later Governor Mike Huckabee appointed him as House Liaison between the Arkansas House of Representatives and the governor’s office.

James Jordan’s love and appreciation of education also led him to support and encourage all our educational institutions. Governor Huckabee appointed him to serve a 5-year term on the UAM Board of Visitors. A graduate of Drew Central, he was honored to be recognized as an alumni of the school and enjoyed participating in their alumni gatherings.

He was delighted that, because of his support of the forestry industry and rural fire departments, two scholarships are given each year in his name to children of parents involved in that industry.

Because of his intense involvement in, and dedication to, the community, Mr. Jordan received the Man of the Year award from the Chamber of Commerce in 1985.

Mr. Jordan loved Drew County and he loved people. He also loved his friends and family and enjoyed spending time with them. He especially loved time spent at his “camp” in the Ladelle area with them. He enjoyed sports and hunting and had recently begun developing the idea of publishing a book about the building of his and the good times spent there.

Most of all, James Jordan loved his children and he loved his Bonnie (Nichols). The couple has been blessed with three children (Terry, Jerry and Cindy), many grand and great-grand children and spent well over 60 years together.

James Jordan will be missed. He will be mourned. He will be remembered for his love of people, place, home and country. We were all enriched by his time spent among us.

(This Tribute was written by a long time friend of James Jordan.  Thanks for sharing your memories with other readers.)

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Posted December 28, 2009.

Local Leader, James T. Jorday Passes Away After Lengthy Illness

Flags in Monticello and Drew County are being flown at half mast following the death, Sunday afternoon, of James T. Jordan, a former Drew County Judge, Mayor of Monticello, and Arkansas State Representative, who passed away after a lengthy illness.

Jordan was known for his dedication to his country, his continued involvment with the local veteran’s organizations, and his love for Monticello and Drew County.

A tribute to James Jordan will be posted on MonticelloLive, Monday, outlining some of his contributions to Monticello and Drew County. 

Service and visitation times will be announced by Stephenson-Dearman. 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 at 8:00 am and is filed under Site. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.