Lee Roy Jordan

Lee Roy passed away peacefully surrounded by family on August 30, 2025. He was raised on a working farm in Excel, Alabama, where he was the sixth of seven children, in a loving home that had no electricity until he was 13. There, he learned that picking cotton was harder than playing football as he had to do both every day after school until he went to college. He grew up in an affectionate family with deep faith and values that he displayed throughout his life. Like his father, he continued the tradition of a warm hug followed by “I love you.”

He received a football scholarship to the University of Alabama after he was discovered by the Alabama scouts who saw him play while scouting the opposing team, making him the first in his family to attend college. Lee Roy left for Tuscaloosa after he graduated from Excel High School in 1959. He played center on offense and linebacker on defense wearing the number 54 for the Crimson Tide. He was an integral player in Paul “Bear” Bryant’s first national championship at the University of Alabama. He considered Coach Bryant to be a second father.

During his first season at Alabama, he was named MVP for his performance in the 1960 Bluebonnet Bowl versus the Texas Longhorns. He earned the title a second time in his final game for the Tide, where he recorded 31 tackles in a 17–0 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. This record still stands today. During his senior year, he was named team captain, received All-American status, and won the Lineman of the Year award. He later received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Linebacker Award for the class of 1962.

Lee Roy met the love of his life - Biddie Banks - in biology class at The University of Alabama. They married after graduation on June 12, 1964 at her grandmother’s home in Eutaw, Alabama with Dr. Frank Rose, University of Alabama President, officiating the ceremony. The couple renewed their vows in the Catholic church in Dallas in 1973. They had an amazing life together for over 62 years.

Jordan was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL draft in 1963 as a linebacker. During fourteen seasons with the Dallas Cowboys as number 55, Jordan competed in three Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl VI in 1972. He earned five Pro Bowl selections, two All-Pro honors, and was named NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1973. A respected leader, he captained the team under Coach Tom Landry as part of the fabled “Doomsday Defense.” In 1990, he became the first player inducted into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor under Jerry Jones. He was honored as an outstanding athlete by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, the Sugar Bowl Hall of Fame, the National College Hall of Fame, and the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame.

After retiring from the Cowboys in 1976, he began another successful career in the lumber business. Today, nearly fifty years later, the Lee Roy Jordan Lumber Company is one of the largest privately owned, specialty wood suppliers in the region and operates across eight states.

Lee Roy’s favorite times were spent with his family especially his 3 sons. It was no surprise that he was named “Father of the Year” in 1977. Hunting and fishing trips were really about enjoying the outdoors and making memories that last a lifetime. After all the adventures he had with his three sons, he found new joy when his 8 grandkids would ask constantly “Papa, can we come with you?”

Lee Roy treasured his many friendships in Dallas and Alabama. And he loved to bring people together especially at their home in Point Clear, Alabama, also known as “The Fourth Quarter”. He truly bled CRIMSON as he loved the state and The University of Alabama with all of his heart as he never forgot his deep roots. The University of Alabama changed the trajectory of Lee Roy’s life, and he was forever grateful. He went back to the state and The University every chance he could, even spending his last 4th of July on the bay in Point Clear this summer with family and his close friends. His love for The University was passed down to his family as his sons, daughter-in-laws, many grandchildren, nieces and nephews have carried on the family tradition of Roll Tide!

Lee Roy’s warmth and compassion led him to donate his time and his resources to causes close to his heart including the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, the Leukemia Society, the Alzheimer’s Association and the Center for Brain Health. Lee Roy understood the importance of studying the long term effects of concussions on brain heath and recruited NFL players to initiate this groundbreaking research that continues today.

Lee Roy was preceded in death by his beloved parents, Walter and Vida Cleo, along with 5 of his 6 siblings. He is survived by his loving wife, Biddie Banks Jordan; Three sons, David Jordan (Melanie) of Dallas, TX, Lee Jordan (Lisa) of Fairhope, AL, Chris Jordan (Nikki) of Dallas, TX; Eight Grandchildren, Julia Jordan Childress, MaryBeth Jordan Conzelman, Bradford Jordan, Kathryn Jordan, Meredith Jordan, Dabney Jordan, Thomas Jordan and Bryant Jordan; Sister, Agnes Jordan Stacey. He was also blessed to have many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to Lee Roy’s wonderful caretakers - Vera Watkins and Michael McDonald. They were by the entire Jordan family’s side through his journey, and they are forever grateful.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 19th at Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas at 8017 Preston Road. Please use the following link to join the livestream of the Funeral Mass on Friday, September 19th. https://www.youtube.com/live/GnODiIJwLx8

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Lee Roy’s memory - the Alzheimer’s Association (https://events.alz.org/login), The Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas(https://centerforbrainhealth.org/about-us), Leukemia Society (https://givenow.bloodcancerunited.org/campaign/717321/donate) or the Momentous Institute (https://momentousinstitute.org/donate )beneficiary of the Salesmanship Club.