Thomas "Tom" Joseph Jordan

Thomas (Tom) Joseph Jordan was born July 4, 1925, in Anniston, Alabama, the seventh child of eight children to Lula Shamblee and William Arthur Jordan.

Tom left High School early to join the Air Force in October, 1943. Although he wanted to be a pilot, they needed radio operators at that time. After attending radio/teletype school, he served as a Control Tower Operator in Fairbanks, Alaska, where he obtained the rank of Sargent/Chief Control Tower Operator with the 123rd Army Airways Communication System squadron in the 87th Army Air Force. He was honorably discharged in April, 1946. When asked what he did, he always jokingly said he brought down planes.

Anniston High School gave him credit for radio school and he received his diploma with his class.

He met his wife, Irma, at the movie theater where he was an usher and she sold tickets. They were married October 13, 1946, and enjoyed 58 wonderful years together until Irma joined her Heavenly Father in July, 2004. When Irma began to deteriorate, he lovingly cared for her in their home.

Tom graduated from Georgia Tech with a Marketing degree which served him well as a Regional Sales Manager with Kraft Foods for 33 years. His journey with Kraft took him to MS, TN, MO and finally TX, where he made many lifelong friends.

He raised three adorable children who gave him two wonderful son-in-laws, one sweet sister-in- law, eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

He enjoyed all sports because of the fellowship and comraderies. He played football and basketball in school. He played in a softball league. He loved playing golf with his brothers and later with family & friends. He formed a church volleyball league and encouraged everyone he met to join in the fun. We had a pool table and ping pong table at home for family to gather around and enjoy. He marshalled at Pecan Valley Golf Course for over 10 years. He always brought snacks out to the course for his fellow marshals.

Tom was his happiest when he was with family and friends. When asked where to eat or what to do, he always answered it doesn't matter as long as we are all together. He was our biggest cheerleader - attending and encouraging us through all our activities - sporting events, graduations, concerts, award programs, etc. He was so proud of all of us and our accomplishments.

He attended Arborlawn United Methodist church. He looked forward to church services and believed in spreading the word of God through numerous acts of kindness thru his life from giving lighted rings and candy to children and adults, buying meals for friends and family, shopping for homebound friends, and giving small gifts to everyone he met. He was an usher at Arborlawn United Methodist and Westcliff United Methodist and was the church photographer at Westcliff United Methodist.

Tom had a huge collection of movies that he loved to watch and loan to friends and family. He wanted everyone to see his favorite, The Mississippi Gambler. It starred Tyrone Power.

He was an avid photographer and loved recording our lives through pictures. The walls of his favorite room was covered with photos so he felt he was always surrounded by the love of his family.

It brought him great joy to give little gifts to others. We are sure he took a gift to God.

He was predeceased by his wife, Irma Dale; son, Tommy; daughter-in-law, Lorena; his parents, four brothers and three sisters.

He is survived by his children Deborah Ruffu and husband, Richard, and Nancy Dagen and husband, Deven; grandchildren Dane Jordan and wife, Melissa, Price Jordan and wife, Misty, Britta Brady-Mize, Adam Ruffu, Rachel Ruffu, Leah Ruffu, John Dagen, Leslie Dagen; and great grandchildren Chase Brady-Mize, Nathan Brady-Mize, Imogen Jordan, Landon Ainsworth, Easton Glaser, Charlee Jordan and Reagon Jordan.