Thomas Wesley Jordan

March 17, 1926 – August 24, 2020

Tom was born in Evansville, Indiana, on St. Patty’s Day, March 17, 1926. As the middle child, Tom was kindhearted, charming and friendly. He was known for his approachable demeanor and his gift of conversation.

He met his sweetheart and soon-to-be-wife, Dora Faye Rogers, while attending high school in Enfield, Illinois.

He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 17, on April 23, 1943. He lied about his age so he could enlist before his 18th birthday. He was stationed on the USS Bennett during the Pacific campaign of World War II. The USS Bennett was struck by a Japanese kamikaze plane on April 7, 1945, causing significant damage to her engines. She was able to make it safely back to harbor and later returned to service.

While in the Navy, Tom was a Golden Glove boxer. He passed these boxing skills down to his children by training them to box.

After being discharged from the Navy in November 1945, Tom married his high school sweetheart, Faye. They had their first child, Karen Sue in September 1946. Kenneth Wesley was born in August of 1948 and Kimberly Ray was born in April 1954.

Tom was hired as one of the very first 100 mechanics for United Airlines. He worked very hard and became a Lead Engine Over Hall Mechanic for United. He was eventually transferred to Guam to maintain the planes that were transporting soldiers and supplies to and from Vietnam during the Vietnam war.

Tom was known as a perfect gentleman by all that knew him. He never met a stranger.

Tom and Faye are survived by Karen and Don Greenwood, Ken and Gigi Jordan, and Kim and Dan Babbel. Pop and Nana have 14 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren.