Payton Jordan

hi Cheryl and Marnie... Hope you both are fine.... Your DAD sure was a great guy!! I remember so much, living across the road from y'all.....he helped me with shot put form, etc., etc. Many happy memories of your parents and mine getting together on Knoll Drive... Hope to meet up with you all sometime before we get too old.. Tom Booth, Caldwell, Idaho

Dear Cheryl, I met your Dad many years ago when he came to Nome, Alaska to check on his claim. I believe you were there at some time also. What a fine gentleman he was with so many interesting stories. We enjoyed having an Alaska King Crab feast with him in our Kitchen Tent on our claim located on Anvil Creek. I have photo's taken while he was there, which I will send you as soon as I locate them in my files. I offer my condolences for your loss. I wonder if you could call me or e-mail me at [email protected] or 760-500-1329. I just watched a football game between USC & UCLA that had a player named Payton Jordan, is this a close relative? He has some big shoes to fill.

Coach Jordan was one of the finest men I have ever known. I was a High School Track Coach at nearby Fremont H.S. in Sunnyvale and Payton always graciously invited my kids up to Stanford to use the facilities and workout and he give us great coaching tips...."WHATA-GUY"

A truly great man, he inspires me still. I hope he and Zamperini are having a great reunion in heaven. Generous of heart and spirit, he will always be missed. Honored to have known him and competed for him.

Above all, Payton Jordan was/is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known; always friendly and accommodating even to people who couldn't carry his spikes -- like me. His warm, quick smile put you at ease in a situation where you might be intimidated standing before greatness.

Dear Marnie and Cheryl,

Probably don't remember me but my Aunt Shirley lived next door to your family in Pasadena. I was reading a book called "Unbroken" about a track star named Louis Zamperini. Your dad's name appears a lot in the book and I wondered if that was your dad. When they mentioned Marge I knew it was. Living in Pasadena brought back a lot of memories. Larry lives in Sierra Madre and is retired. My wife and I live in San Juan Capistrano. If you or Marnie would like to get in touch my email address is [email protected].

Marnie,
I lived on Minerva Ave. and have such a hazy recollection of meeting you at your grandma"s house on Minerva and Mattesson Ave. My name is Elise Ganz and I now live in Northern California and I want to connect with you to just find out about how we were friends back then.
Best to you and yours,
elise ganz
415-459-5456

Gramps~

You and Grams have passed on and it has taken a lot of time to say I will miss you & I love you~

Your Granddaughter, Mandi Alane

Thank you, everyone, for your kind words about our Dad. We will all miss his smile and enthusiastic way he approached everything in life. Both of our families send you all the best for a happy and healthy life.
Cheryl and Marnie

I'm very sad to hear the news of coach Payton's passing.
I feel so lucky that I've been coached by him back in 2000 while I lived in Santa Barbara for a year. And I love it most because he did it just for fun.
He was one of the very few to believe in my sprinting talents.
I still pass on the techniques I learned from him to the pupils I train with here.

Last year I went back to Santa Barbara hoping I would be able to meet him again and tell him how much he meant for me, but he had already moved away from Santa Barbara. I wish I could have told him how much he meant for me during my stay back in 2000.

~ Ardy van Broekhoven, The Netherlands

hello I just saw on the internet about your dad passing on and I just want to say Iam sorry to here the news,I only saw your dad one time at a masters track meet in spokane,wa back in the eighties. I wanted to talk to your dad about meeting your grandfather in calif. my grandfather lived next door to him on a chicken ranch. your grandfather told me all kinds of stories about your dad's track career I got to see life magazines with your dads picture on the cover. I always wanted talk to dad about talking with his father. this was in 1964 atleast I can tell you about it .wish I didn't wait so long

Your father was the most influential man in my coaching career. In the early 1950's i wandered on to the track at Occidental College to participate in one your fathers Saturdays all comers meet, it was early and he greeted me like an old friend. The way he added color to an otherwise dull facility stuck with me and guided me in my coaching days. Payton often visited and trained at my College over the next 30 years. We had many memories to share and he always had a smile on his face and a encouraging word for my athletes

I met your Dad when I was a police detective in Santa Clara and arrested the suspect that broke into their home. It was such an honor to be invited to dinner in their home. I have never met such a wonderful, caring, and genuine man in my life. I will never forget Payton and Marge. They set an example for the world to follow and live up to. Not just in sports or Olympics, but in life itself. They will always be with us. My sincere condolences, Chuck. (long since retired from SCPD)

sorry!!!

That's for setting a standard of excellence for our athletes and thus for all future generations who represent the USA. I well recall the 1968 Mexico City Olympics and the pride we all felt when Bob Beamon broke the world record, when our runners blazed down the track. Thanks again!

I was sorry to hear about your Dad. I wanted you to know I was thinking about you. See you in the Fall

I am friends with his grandson and his daughter who are some of the best people I have ever met. His grandson always spoke highly of him. Rest in peace and my condolinces go out to the whole family.

My cousin led on and off the field. He gave his love and himself unselfishly to his extended family. His spirit will live through the lives he touched.

What a remarkable man and life. May he rest in peace.

REST IN PEACE PAYTON JORDAN

An inspiring man ahead of his time, in flat running track shoes, keep up the marathon with God and let him win once.