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David Jordan Obituary
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David Malcolm Jordan, 91, a retired lawyer and prolific author, died on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Born in Philadelphia, he grew up in Wyncote, Abington, and Huntingdon Valley and resided in his adult years in Jenkintown, Wayne, and Haverford, Pennsylvania.
David was an author and historian with a deep interest in political history and baseball. The first book he authored was Roscoe Conkling of New York: Voice in the Senate. Upon publication in 1971, the book would become a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; His passion for history and baseball would lead to ten more books including Winfield Scott Hancock: A Soldier's Life (1988), A Tiger in His Time: Hal Newhouser and the Burden of Wartime Ball (1990); The Athletics of Philadelphia: Connie Mack's White Elephants, 1901-1954 (1999); "Happiness is Not My Companion": The Life of General G.K. Warren (2001); Occasional Glory: The History of the Philadelphia Phillies (2002); Pete Rose: A Biography (2004); Closing 'Em Down: Final Games at Thirteen Classic Ballparks (2010); FDR, Dewey, and the Election of 1944 (2011); The A's, A Baseball History (2014); and Robert A. Lovett and the Development of American Air Power (2019).
David was a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and served as president of the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society for twelve years.
He was active in Democratic politics for decades; from serving as president of Jenkintown Borough Council to state committeeman, state platform committeeman, and Montgomery County party chairman. Another area of dedication was as an alumnus of Princeton, where he served as both secretary and president of the Class of 1956.
He attended the William Penn Charter School and graduated from Princeton University in 1956 and the University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1959. After service in the US Army, he joined the law firm of Moore, James, Wright & Gibbons in Philadelphia before joining Wisler, Pearlstine, Talone & Gerber in Norristown and Blue Bell. A partner at Wisler Pearlstine, he specialized in trust, estate, and municipal law.
He was married to Barbara James from 1960 to her death in 2006 and is father to Diana Jordan Born (Matthew) and grandfather of her son, Augustus; Laura; and Sarah and grandfather to her children, Charles and Grace. He married Jean Missimer Liddell in 2007. In addition to his wife Jean and daughters, he is also survived by his sister Jane Jordan Schmitz.
Services will be held privately.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Jenkintown Library, 460 York Rd., Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, 19046. https://www.jenkintownlibrary.org/donate
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
2 Entries
William Kashatus
February 14, 2026
Diana: I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. Your mother, Barbara, introduced us when I was a teacher at Abington Friends School in 1985 and she was on the Meeting's school committee. David and I hit it off immediately.
David became a mentor to me as a young writer. He encouraged me to write both American history and baseball and often reviewed my manuscripts always offering helpful advice.
When David became president of the Philadelphia A's Historical Society, I jumped on board. When we did an exhibit on the A's at the Chester County Historical Society in 1999, he, along with Ernie Montella and Bob Warrington, gave their full support. They loaned items from the historical society's collection, offered great advice for programming and promoted the exhibit in the print and TV media.
Over the last few years, we would occasionally catch up with each other at the Philly Card Show. He never lost his passion for the game and I am so grateful that he shared it with me.
William Kashatus
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Michael ODonoghue
February 6, 2026
As a former partner of Dave, I can attest to his excellent legal skills.
Dave was one of the brightest persons (just look at the prolific book inventory) and at the same time the politest person I knew.
My condolences to his family.
Michael J ODonoghue
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