Mack Neilly Jordan Jr.

An extraordinary thing happened on Friday, December 16, 2022. Mack Jordan, the nicest person in the world, died. To those who knew him, we hoped he would live forever because the world needs more nice people, not less. If you ever met Mack, you would leave the meeting saying “Oh my gosh, I just met the nicest person in the world.”

Mack Jr. was born in Chattanooga in 1924 to Mack Sr. and Aldine Jordan. He was the oldest of 3: sister Dorothy and brother Allen. By all accounts, he did pretty well in school. Mack met his future bride Mary Guy Springer at Central High School, from which he graduated in 1942. Later in life, Mack organized and hosted yearly reunions from the Class of ‘42 which were very well attended because... well, how can you resist an invitation from the nicest person in the world?

When you graduated from high school in the USA during the early 1940’s, you didn’t spend time applying to colleges or job interviewing. You went to war. So, Mack joined the US Army Air Forces (Yes, that’s what it was called in 1942) and was sent to Vanderbilt University in Nashville for navigator training. He was in a bomber group deployed to Europe in 1945 but the war ended so his group stayed home. So, Mack never saw combat in World War 2 but, as he said, “We protected Tennessee from enemy incursions.”

After the war, Mack took his bride to some Air Force base in Texas. It was six months or so before Mary Guy said “Take me back to Tennessee.” (Apparently it is fairly desolate in West Texas.) So Mack arranged a transfer back to his hometown and was honorably discharged in 1948. He and Mary Guy settled down in the Brainerd area and had 2 children, Gary in 1952 and Lisa in 1959. Mack managed a successful career in business management in multiple Chattanooga area companies like Colonial Bakery, Tennessee Egg Co., and Jorges Carpet Co. He owned the Allison GMC dealership at the foot of Lookout Mountain for a while. Then finished his career at National Poster Co. As with most successful businessmen, he developed a killer golf game. Six iron from 165? On the green every time.

He adored the Braves, the Masters, chili con carne, and the Lord (not necessarily in that order). Mack was a man of true faith. He loved singing Southern gospel hymns... which he did with great gusto every time the doors to the church opened... being a baritone who could hit the high notes. Mack was a wonderful, uplifting Sunday School teacher to ... Oh I don’t know, several hundred thousand Baptist church-goers in Chattanooga. And they all loved him because... please refer to paragraph 1.

Mack and Mary Guy moved to Alexian Bros on Signal Mountain in 2007. Retirement years were spent developing and managing close friendships with many residents. Mary Guy left us in 2011. And although his children and grandchildren will miss Mack terribly, we’re sure he is overjoyed to see Mary Guy again. For sure, he’s up there entertaining the angels with his brother Allan, nephew Leslie, and cousin Jackie Reese singing Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul (Mack on baritone harmony).

The world lost a treasure last Friday. It ain’t gonna be easy to replace the nicest person in the world. But Mack is now where he wanted to be all along.

Mack is survived by his son, Gary Jordan of Baltimore, MD, daughter, Lisa Campbell of Ooltewah, TN, granddaughter, Shannon Davis of Chattanooga and niece, Jana Lynn Jordan of Chattanooga, grandchildren, Ryan Jordan of Baltimore, MD, Brook Jordan of Baltimore, MD, great-grandchildren, Jordan Davis, Jacob Davis, and Jaylie Davis of Chattanooga, Quinn Jordan and Penny Lane Jordan of Baltimore, MD.

Services for Mack N. Jordan Jr. will be held at 12:00 pm on Friday, December 23, 2022 at the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Jeffrey Davis officiating. Family will receive friends from 10:00 am until time of service Friday at the funeral home. Interment will follow the service in the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

Please share your memories of Mack with the family at www.chattanoogaeastbrainerdchapel.com

Arrangements are by the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 8214 E. Brainerd Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37421.