Russell C. Jordan Jr.

Jordan, Russell C. Jr.
Oct. 28, 1926 - March 25, 2012

Colonel Russell Clinger Jordan., Jr. 85, of Sarasota, Fla. died March 25, 2012 at Manor Care Retirement Home. Born in Kansas City, Mo., Colonel Jordan enlisted in the Air Corps Reserve in 1943 and subsequently served a total of 43 years on active duty, the National Guard, and the Reserves. He was a graduate of the Armored Officer Candidate School, the Command and General Staff College, and a number of other service schools and colleges, including Amphibious Warfare, Counter Insurgency, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Colonel Jordan also served with the army occupation forces in Japan.
In 1950 Colonel Jordan purchased, and for the next 54 years managed the Jordan Insurance Agency in Sarasota, while at the same time continuing his involvement in Army Reserve and National Guard activities. He was commander of the 3621st Logistics Command and later commander of the 3374th Army Corps. He was awarded numerous medals and decorations for his service.
Colonel Jordan was elected Sarasota president of the Reserve Officers Association, and later as Florida president of ROA, he helped increase membership by 21 percent. In 2004 he was one of the organizers of Florida Veterans for Common Sense, a nationwide group whose membership has continued to grow.
Colonel Jordan thoroughly enjoyed traveling. He studied Japanese, Russian, Spanish and Chinese. He visited the Soviet Union, East Berlin, Poland, China, Thailand, Guatemala, Morocco, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada and Japan. A former Boy Scout himself, Colonel Jordan volunteered to help the organization and became a scoutmaster for Troop 8 at the Methodist Church. He had also been elected church board secretary and deacon, and was a teacher at the First Christian Church (Disciples) in Sarasota, Florida.
Born in Kansas City, Mo. Oct. 28, 1926, Colonel Jordan was the son of Russell Clinger Jordan, Sr. and Lois Eleanore (Van Evera) Jordan of that city. He was graduated from Hopkinsville (Kentucky) High School in June 1944. His wife, Judith Anne Jordan, resides in Sarasota, as do three of his four children. Colonel Jordan's eldest son, Robert Michael Jordan, predeceased him in 1974. Colonel Jordan's survivors in addition to Mrs. Judith Jordan, include Gregory David (Esther) Jordan of Schuykl Haven, Pa., Nancy Suzanne Decker, James Thomas Jordan, and Sherrill Ruth (Tracy) Decker. Beloved brother, William R. Jordan of St. Petersburg, and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Fisher House at 10000 Bay Pine Blvd., Bay Pine, FL 33744.