Clayton Jordan

Clayton Jordan, Jr was born on December 17, 1926 to Vernie Elmore and Clayton Jordan in St Louis, Missouri.  To this union Clayton Jordan Jr. was the only child.

As a young boy, his father would drive the family to Canada during the summers, where Clayton would enjoy hours of fishing time with his Father. During Clayton’s childhood, his father passed away, after which he grew close to his mother and always helped out wherever he could.   

He attended Sumner High School in St Louis, Missouri and as a teenager he participated in baseball. While in high school he joined the United States Navy.  He proudly served from 1942 to 1946 and defended our country in World War II. In Boot Camp he learned to play the bugle and his first duty station was in Hawaii.

While living in St. Louis Clayton married Johnetta Turner and they began their life together with two beautiful daughters, Milvern and Klayta. Several years later their first son Gerard, was born.

With his own hands and simple tools, Clayton labored to construct his first home on 13th Street in Indianapolis as a part of the “Self-Help Home Building Program” in 1955.  His attention to detail and commitment to keeping things looking nice, won him acclaim and awards for having the best manicured yard in the neighborhood.

He began a long and illustrious government career with the Finance Center in St Louis, later transferring with the Finance Center to Indianapolis.  He eventually changed agencies and spent the remainder of his career with the United States Postal Service.  He began working for the Post Office as a postal carrier later became a mechanic followed by a promotion to supervisor.  After many years of dedicated federal service, Clayton retired from the Post Office in 1992.  

While attending training for the Postal Service at Oklahoma Univerisity in Norman, Oklahoma, he met and courted Sandra Carthen, who he later married in 1972.  He relocated Sandra and her daughter, Deirdre, to Indianapolis.  Shortly thereafter, their youngest child Clayton Jordan, III was born in 1973.   

For over 40 years, during the month of May, Clayton and Sandra would spend time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway enjoying Indy 500 race activities. Clayton enjoyed reading the newspaper, bowling, watching boxing while snacking on Beer nuts, listening to Dave Ramsey on the radio, traveling, and attending family events.

He was a member in good standing of Jones Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church for over 60 years and worked in many areas behind the scenes secondary to his commitment to his church. 

At the age of 89, Clayton departed this life on December 7, 2016. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clayton Jordan and Vernie Woods.

Clayton leaves to cherish his memory his loving and devoted wife of 44 years, Sandra C. Jordan, two sons: Gerard L. Jordan (Deidre), Clayton Jordan III, three daughters: Milvern Miller, Klayta Hutchison (Abner), Deirdre Y. Burton (Steve).

He leaves to cherish his legacy, seven grandchildren: Nikole, Kenya, Maurita, Michael, Marleen (Michael R.), Jazmin, Kellen; seven great-grandchildren: Gabrielle, Karim, Rajaa, Amayah, Nile, Yaffa and Jayla and a host of other relatives and friends.

Clayton, AKA , “Lucky”, will be truly missed by many.

“He finished strong”.