JORDAN, Jack Delano

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 01/27/2012 Jack Delano Jordan, 78, of Pinetop/Lakeside died Jan. 20, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. He was born Dec. 24, 1933, to Bill and Hazel Jordan in McNary. The Jordan’s came to McNary at the request of James G. McNary whom they had worked for on the railroad in McNary, Louisiana. Jack attended school in McNary where he excelled in football and basketball. After high school he was invited to try out for the Green Bay Packers but elected to join the Air Force instead. He met his “Sweetheart” Wanda Benson in 1946 when her family arrived from Oklahoma. They were married Aug. 24, 1950 and just celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. Jack served in the USAF 509th Div. from 1951-1955. He participated in Operation Castle on Eniwitok, Marshall Islands and was in the Strategic Air Command (SAC). Upon his discharge he returned to McNary where he followed the family tradition and began working for the Apache Railway. His granddad Henry brought one of the first trains from Louisiana to Arizona and his father Bill, was one of the first engineers on the Apache Railway. Jack retired with 40 years’ service on the railroad and has been a member of the UTU for 50 years. He served a number of years as the Local Chairman for the Union. Jack was very involved with his children. He was a charter member of Pinetop-Lakeside Little League where he served as President. He and a group of parents built the first Little League field with donations from the community. He coached, umpired and mentored many children from the area. He was an avid outdoorsman. It wasn’t uncommon to find Jack and Wanda camped out, hunting at Kaibab or fishing at Big Lake and Roosevelt. He passed his passion for the outdoors on to all of his children and grandchildren. He touched many lives and will be missed by all. Jack is survived by his sweetheart of 61 years, Wanda; son Mitch; daughters: Terry and Sheri; grandchildren: Michelle, Sirri, Chris, Jack, Tyler, Mikaila, Mackenzie, Leslie; and great-grandchildren: Scotty, Haley and Trey. He was preceded in death by his parents: Willie “Bill” and Hazel Jordan; son Michael Jordan; brothers: Aaron James and William “Shorty” Jordan; and sisters: Marie Scaggs and Juanita Sergeant. Funeral services were held Thursday, Jan. 26, at Living Water Community Church. Interment immediately followed at the Lakeside Cemetery. Black’s Show Low Mortuary handled arrangements.