Willard G Jordan

Willard G. Jordan, Jr., went to be with his Lord on September 19, 2012, with family by his side. Willard, or Gren, as his family called him, was brother, father, father-in-law, grandfather, "pa pa pa", uncle and friend to those he left behind.

Born to Winifred and Willard Jordan in 1925, he was the oldest of six children.

When he turned 18 he enlisted in the US Navy, was stationed off the coast of Japan, and served two years in WWII as a Boatswain's Mate in charge of 24 other sailors. In his conversations about that time of his life, he would always say it was God who kept him safe from harm.

He married Barbara Hunt in 1954, and had four children, Linda, Elizabeth, Nancy, and Debbie. He raised his family in Lancaster, Pa., then moved to Port Charlotte, Fla., in 1980 to take care of his elderly parents. He cared for both his mother and father for several years until he was physically unable to provide their care by himself.

He worked as a Health and Life Insurance agent for most of his life, being a true advocate for all his clients. It was not uncommon for him to challenge hospitals and his own insurance companies in order to better serve those he represented. His tag line for his business was "Where there's a Will, there's a Way."

He came to live with his daughter, Linda and her husband, Dr. Robert Dekkers, in 2005, when his own health began to decline. For the first two years, he was able to reside at Cypress Place Independent Living in Ventura, where he met many friends, loved the Friday happy hours with their live entertainment, and enjoyed the weekly sporting competitions. During their "2010 Olympics", he won three medals, which he wore proudly for many weeks to follow.

He was well known for his undying wit, something that stayed with him despite the Dementia that contributed to his declining health. He was the "Eveready Battery Bunny" to all that knew him, always busy, always pressing forward. He had a smile for everyone, and an extended hand for a warm handshake.

He was proud to be an American, very proud of his years in the Navy, and very proud to be a part of the Christian Coalition in Port Charlotte, Fla., which he ran for several years. He always wore a small American flag pin on his lapel, and always had several pens and a highlighter in his upper pocket, ready to write himself a note about what you talked to him about.

He was a man of dignity, a man of grace. He, however, was most proud of his family, who he saw as heroes in their own way. He would always refer to his great grandson, Jack (Laubacher) as "something else", which in today's terms means "incredible!"

He will be missed the most by his daughters, Linda Jordan Dekkers, and son-in-law, Robert Dekkers, Ojai, Elizabeth Winkler and Debbie Jordan of Orlando, Nancy Duncan of Lancaster, Pa., his brothers, Richard Jordan (Mary) of Seattle, Wash., Dave Jordan (Susan) of Edgewater, N.J., Gib Jordan (Evelyn) of Boylston, Mass.,, and sister, Priscilla Raymond of Charlotte, S.C.; his grandchildren, Bree Laubacher (Hank) and Billy Owczarski of Ventura, Eric and Sean Duncan of Lancaster, Pa., and Tiffany Jordan of Orlando, Fla., his great grandchildren, Jack and Tyson Laubacher, of Ventura, and all his nieces and nephews who loved him like a dad.

The family would like to thank DeMetria Warren and Maureen McGrath for their loving and attentive care over the past year. Their presence enriched Will's life immeasurably, for which we are eternally grateful.

Funeral services are under the direction of Ted Mayr Funeral Home, and are planned for Friday, September 28 at 2 p.m. at Ventura Baptist Church on Ralston Street, Ventura with a reception to follow. Willard will be taken to his final resting place in Dalton, Mass. in early October, where there will be a graveside service with family.