Ronnie Lee Jourdan

1947 - 2014

BALDWYN – Ronnie Lee Jourdan, 66, died Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Baldwyn Nursing Facility. He was born Feb. 28, 1947, in Pensacola, Fla., to Parmer Lee and Christine Burcham Jourdan. Ronnie attended Pensacola High School, where he excelled as a high jumper on the track and field team which led to a full scholarship to the University of Florida in Gainesville. He was nicknamed ""Spider Jourdan"" for his long arms and legs. At the University Ronnie became known as the ""Magic of the 7 foot high jumper."" Only magic could have taken him to the heights of the Southeastern Conference championship and the NCAA championship. His senior year also included an incredible nine meet streak of winning jumps at 7.0 or higher. That year also took him to Oslo, Norway, where he cleared 7.1 to win the World International Championship. He held the record for the most consistent seven foot or better high jumper in the world. Ronnie went with the United States Olympic Team to Munich, Germany, in 1972. After that his highest jump was 7.4. After finishing his college career, Ronnie jumped for a year with the International Track Association. He then made a career with Warrior Gulf in Mobile, Ala., where he retired after 30 years.
     Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at Cutshall Funeral Home Chapel in Iuka. The Rev. Robbie Crane will officiate. Burial will be in New Lebanon Cemetery. Cutshall Funeral Home of Iuka is in charge of arrangements.
     Survivors include his mother, Christine Burcham Jourdan of Tupelo; one brother, Julian Craig Jourdan (Sandra) of Tupelo; one sister, Kristy Regina Weiss of Lakeport, Calif.; a niece, Kristin Marie Jourdan of Tupelo; three nephews, Julian Lee Jourdan of Tupelo, Andrew Jordan Weiss and Matthew Robert Weiss, both of Lakeport, Calif.; two great-nieces, Brenna Marie Adams and Shylan Breeze Adams both of Tupelo; two uncles, Lee Roy Burcham (Mely) of Rienzi and Hubert Jourdan of Iuka; three aunts, Betty Sue Brown (Jackie) of Meridian, Gene Jourdan Spear of Clinton, La., and Nelda Jourdan McRae of Tishomingo; and a host of cousins around the country.
     Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until service time Monday, Jan. 6, 2014, at Cutshall Funeral Home in Iuka.
     An online guestbook can be accessed at www.cutshallfuneralhome.com.