David C Jordan

David passed away peacefully with his family around him at the age of 94. David (Dave) was adopted when he was only days old by Calvin Arthur Jordan and Evelyn Reigelmann Jordan, Salem, Oregon. Four years later a toddler named Marjorie, was also adopted. Dave and Marjorie were cherished by their new parents, living in Salem and various cities along the Oregon coast. Their father designed and built many of the new bridges along the Oregon coast highway, and often took his family with him.

Dave attended Salem High School and then proudly joined the Navy, near the end of WWII. When he was discharged, he returned to Salem to marry his high school sweetheart, Gloria Seay, on June 22, 1946. They celebrated their 74 years together before Gloria passed away Nov. 18, 2020. Dave is survived by : Joanne (Steve) Viale, Goodyear, Arizona; Art (Sarah) Jordan, Olympia, WA.; Roger (Susie) Jordan, Newberg, OR.; and Don (Kim) Jordan, Salem, OR.; 9 grand children; 16 great grand children; nephew Larry Brown, Anchorage, Alaska; and niece Judy Johnston, Union, OR.

Dave lived and worked most of his life in Oregon. While he was attending Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, he was working as a bookkeeper for Woodry’s Furniture Store. The family moved to Eugene so Dave could finish his business degree at the University of Oregon. After graduation the family moved back to Salem and Dave worked for CPA firms and the State of Oregon. In 1964 Dave accepted an administrative job with the University of Oregon at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center in Astoria, OR. The family moved to Astoria for a few years. It was while working in Astoria that Dave took flying lessons and got his private pilot license. The license came in handy since Dave had to attend meetings all over the country.

After completing his contract in Astoria, the family moved back to Salem. By this time all 4 children were attending college or working. Dave and Gloria purchased land in Silverton, Oregon to start Mt. Angel Vineyards. They became hard working farmers and grew a variety of grapes. The entire family was involved in the vineyard, from planting and tending the vines, to harvesting the grapes. The grapes were sold to wineries in the Willamette Valley. Dave and Gloria were active members of the Oregon Wine Growers Association and volunteered at the Mt. Angel Octoberfest.

Dave and Gloria sold the vineyard when the work of being farmers got too hard on their aging bodies. They moved to Meadowlawn Golf Course in Salem, Oregon for a few years, where Dave took up golf. Due to health issues they moved to Bonaventure’s assisted living for 2 years. As their health declined and they needed more services, the family moved Dave and Gloria to Village at Keizer Ridge, beginning with assisted living and later to memory care. They liked the staff, the activities, and the meals. Dave continued to live there after Gloria’s death, until he passed away.

Dave enjoyed the outdoors, being able to hunt and fish. The family went on yearly vacations to several lakes and wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest. Dave was a member of the Salem Elks Club and the Salem Eagles. He supported the University of Oregon, watching most of their football and basketball games, and wearing green and yellow Oregon attire.

The funeral will be Saturday, August 27, 10:00am at Virgil T. Golden Funeral Service, 605 Commercial St. SE, Salem, Oregon 97301.