The town of Maricopa was shaken by the lack of Jim Jordan on Tuesday. The 74-year-old Jordan was a much-loved determine in the neighborhood and a devoted public servant. Many in the neighborhood expressed their ideas on his life and passing – here’s a sampling of their ideas:
Mayor Christian Worth:
It’s simply so unhappy. He simply was a servant at coronary heart because the very first day I met him. He ended his profession in life as a volunteer on the varsity board. He noticed the necessity and he stepped up and right here’s an individual who usually had conflicting ideas in regards to the college board till he was serving on it, and it’s superb how he modified lots and realized, wow, these are issues the children want. He’s actually going to be missed, particularly contemplating that two weeks in the past every thing was nice in his life. It’s simply horrible.
Pastor Rusty Akers, Group of Hope Church:
I’ve recognized Jim for 10 or 11 years, since he moved right here. He was a novel particular person. Folks in all probability noticed him sporting a cowboy hat, however he had that stature of a throwback of a person. He would all the time have a dialog with anyone at any time.
Jim wasn’t quick on opinions, however he was capable of share these opinions with you in a sleek means. I cherished the man. I cherished his coronary heart. He had a ardour for this neighborhood.
He served with us down in Rocky level, he had a ardour for serving down there. He simply needed to serve folks. He cherished all folks. Up till a few years in the past, he would go over to our highschool teams and simply sit in with these guys and allow them to ask him questions. So, right here’s this 70-something man in his cowboy hat, hanging out with excessive schoolers. However they cherished it and he cherished it as a result of he cared about them.
I assume that’s the one attribute that Jim held above all else, is that he cherished folks. Dearly cherished them, it wasn’t pretentious, it wasn’t a false factor, he dearly cherished folks and cherished serving folks.
MUSD Governing Board member AnnaMarie Knorr:
Jim had a real servant’s coronary heart. He served his neighborhood and faculties selflessly. His calm, optimistic demeanor was a blessing to all who crossed his path and I’m a greater particular person for understanding Jim. He can be missed immensely.
MUSD Governing Board President Robert Downey:
From the very first second, 14 months in the past, that I first met Jim Jordan, I knew that I had met a very real good man. Sure, there was his trademark cowboy hat, boots, denims, and swagger. Extra importantly, there was his servant coronary heart, love for all folks and his pleasant, optimistic angle to life and other people. It was a blessing to know Jim and to serve with him on the MUSD college board. My prayers and condolences are along with his household.
Council Member Amber Liermann:
Jim had a servant coronary heart. He really needed to serve others. He had a ardour for monetary stewardship and needed others to expertise the liberty of dwelling debt-free brings. Jim cherished God, his household, his church and his neighborhood. He was a tough employee and somebody I appeared as much as. I noticed Jim on the final board assembly, and he greeted me with an enormous smile and hug as normal. My prayers exit for his household and all those that cherished him.
Council Member Wealthy Vitiello:
There’s nothing extra you possibly can say than that Jim served town, he actually did. If there’s one factor he did, he cherished this metropolis, he cherished this neighborhood. So now he’s going to like and serve the Lord. I want his household blessings, I want him blessings, and God bless him. He’s in a greater place, as they are saying, and we’ll miss him. He was very nicely cherished.
Vice Mayor Vince Manfredi:
Jim was a superb man who did a lot for Maricopa. He can be missed by everybody that knew him.
MUSD Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lopeman:
Though he was a champion for college kids behind the dais, my favourite moments with Mr. Jordan have been spent exterior of the boardroom. It was not unusual for him to attend a Friday evening residence soccer sport. He was the primary to brag about our AFJROTC program and was proud to guide veterans on college excursions and organize visitor talking alternatives. I’ll keep in mind Jim fondly, not only for his management, however for his real love for folks and his neighborhood.
Council Member Henry Wade:
We’ve misplaced a superb man. He was variety, opinionated, honest and if he favored you, he favored you. If he didn’t such as you, he didn’t such as you. All of us go, all of us have our time, and it was his time. He was a superb man.
Council Member Nancy Smith:
Jim Jordan was the kind of buddy that by no means mentioned, ‘no.’ He was all the time prepared to assist if it meant somebody was being blessed. He would assist work polling locations for my campaigns; he served on the MUSD college board; he was a Chaplain for town. He drove a lot wanted clothes and meals to Mexico. And people are just some examples!
Only a few days in the past I sat with Jim and had a protracted, beautiful dialog with him at church. He made me smile and I’ll miss these conversations most.