Thomas Jordan Obituary

THOMAS HERBERT JORDAN, SR
March 1, 1929 ˜ September 4, 2023

Another limb has fallen from our family tree_Thomas H. Jordan, Sr. passed away peacefully on Sept. 4, 2023, at Ray Hickey Hospice House, Vancouver, WA, at the age of 94. Tom was born in Portland, OR, to his parents, Herbert Jordan and Alexie (Pigney) Jordan, who immigrated from England.

Tom was a quiet force to be respected and he loved us deeply. He was Dad, Mr. Jordan, Thomas Sr., Tom, TJ, Husband, Grandpa, Uncle and Cousin. He left behind an army of three generations to follow in his footsteps.

Tom graduated from Grant High School in Portland and served in the US Army as a cartographer. He was a life member of the Seaside Elks Lodge #1748, the American Legion Post #14, Vancouver WA and a proud member of 40 et 8 Voiture 99, also in Vancouver. Tom enjoyed serving his fellow veterans in many ways and volunteered often in various capacities.

Tom spent most of his career in the concrete and cement industry. Beginning with Willamette Hi-Grade Concrete in 1954, followed by Columbia Sand and Gravel in 1963, he then joined the sales force of Oregon Portland Cement in 1964 which later became Ash Grove Cement. In the 1960s, his career took him to Boise, ID, for a short time and then to Kennewick, WA, where Tom oversaw the building, operations and management of the OPC plant there. In 1968, Tom was transferred to Federal Way, WA, to manage that area. In 1970, the family moved back to Portland where he continued his career. Top salesman for many years, he was respected and well-liked by his colleagues and customers. Tom retired in 1994 as regional sales manager.

Tom enjoyed the many and varied events of the Legion, the Elks and 40 et 8. He loved the camping trips with the Elks Travel Club, fishing and hunting, the Pendleton Round-Up and especially the fun times with family and friends at their property in Three Rivers at Lake Billy Chinook, which they owned for 20 years. He was a Tennessee Squire of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery with deeded property before being honored as a colonel in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Tom was proceeded in death by the love of his life, JoAnne Marie (Zuber-Griffith) Jordan in 2009. They were married in 1962. For 47 years, they created a wonderfully blended family of eight children, Daniel Jordan (Jane), Junction City, OR, Kathleen Nicholsen (Carl), Creswell, OR, Alexie McElhoe (Scott), Longview, WA, Darla Hall (Danny), Deer Park, WA, Tom Jordan Jr., Vancouver, WA, and his three bonus children, Stanley Griffith, Happy Valley, OR, Debi Hart-Mata (Mario), North Ft. Meyers, FL, Donald Griffith, Portland, OR. Tom had 14 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Tom’s remaining cousin, Jane Pigney, resides in the UK. Tom’s former wives were Gladys Redmond and Shirley Zimmerman-Sanders.

Tom’s spirit lives on in our family and he will be forever in our hearts. The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date. Cremation by Neptune Society. Tom and family request remembrances to the Elks Eye Foundation, the Ray Hickey Hospice House or the charity of your choice in his name. God Bless, until we meet again.

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