his love of family and his faith in God above all else. He was a loving husband, wonderful
father, and mischievous prankster.
David was born on December 3, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas to Jerome Iredell Jordan and
Minnie Jewell Morris Jordan. He would often tell stories of great times in San Antonio with
his siblings, Jimmy, Buddy, Margie and Wayne, including catching a tarantula so large that
the Witte Museum placed it in their collection. He attended public schools in San Antonio,
graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1947.
After graduating, David attended Arlington State College before transferring in 1949 to the
University of Texas at Austin where he gained such a love for burnt orange that much of his
wardrobe and many of his blankets, hats and socks are still adorned with that color and the
great Longhorn logo. Wanting to serve his country, David enrolled in Army ROTC and
earned his officer’s commission. He interrupted his studies (and plenty of shenanigans -
many of which were as a member of Beta Theta Pi) for two tours of duty in Korea. Not
satisfied with serving his country only on the ground, David volunteered as a paratrooper,
becoming qualified as a jumpmaster and a platoon leader. 1st Lt. Jordan was a proud member
of the 82nd Airborne Division and 45th Infantry Division, being awarded two Bronze Svc.
Stars. He was honorably discharged and continued as a Captain in the Army Reserve.
Returning to Austin, David completed his studies and received his Bachelor of Business
Administration from UT in 1955. Upon receiving his degree, David worked as a salesman
with U.S. Gypsum from 1955 to 1957.
David’s world changed forever in the spring of 1956, when on a Methodist retreat in Glen
Rose, Texas, he spied a beautiful young woman playing ping pong. Apparently stricken by
her, David pursued this young lady first by impressing her with his table tennis skills, and
then summoning the courage to ask her out. Their first date was a double date picnic with
David’s brother Buddy and Buddy’s future wife Margaret. It was not their last.
David married the love of his life, Joy Tynelle Sansing, on February 8, 1958 in Spearman,
Texas. David and Tynelle honeymooned by driving in two separate cars to their new home in
Lafayette, Louisiana where David had taken a position as a landman with the company that
would come to be known as Atlantic Richfield, or ARCO.
David and Tynelle were married for over 60 years. Their firstborn, Amy Cecile, arrived in
1960, followed soon by Gregory David in 1961, Laurie Lynne in 1964 and Michael Brian in
1967. David was a devoted father, spending untold hours with his children at swim meets,
football games and speech tournaments, and always taking the time to vacation and build
memories with his family – including annual ski trips and a five week driving trip, which all
family members fortunately survived, pulling an old camper from Portland, Texas to Sequoia
National Park. Much to the chagrin of the spouses of Amy, Greg, Laurie and Michael,
David’s sense of humor lives on.
David found his true calling when working as a landman for ARCO for 25 years and later
with Hanson Energy until he retired. He enjoyed what he did so much that he told Tynelle he
never felt like he was really working. Having a powerful work ethic, David said he might not
be the smartest, but that no one would outwork him.
In retirement, David and Tynelle spent numerous summers in Colorado and traveled around
the world together, often with their children and grandchildren. David and Tynelle were
members of Berachah Church in Houston for many years and have thanked God for all he has
provided.
David loved a good joke, often telling colorful ones that probably don’t belong in an
obituary. Known for a thrifty streak, when confronted with an opportunity to spend cash,
David was not reluctant to remind his family that “frugality is the mother of virtue” and that
“a fool and his money are soon parted.” But perhaps the most important and telling words
ever spoken by David were those in his last hours on this Earth. Even though he was in the
hospital, very ill and near the time he would go to join his Maker, in essentially his last words
on this planet David summed up his 60 year love story when he gathered what strength he
had left, turned to Tynelle and said, “I love you.”
David is survived by the apple of his eye and wife of over 60 years, Joy Tynelle Sansing
Jordan; daughter Amy Jordan Munro of Ashland, Oregon; son Gregory David Jordan and his
wife Amy of Austin, Texas; daughter Laurie Jordan Severson and her husband Craig of St.
Louis, Missouri; son Michael Brian Jordan and his wife Karen of Cincinnati, Ohio;
granddaughters Laura Jordan Munro, Clara Joy Munro, Emily Ann Jordan Gold and her
husband Ryan, Sarah Catherine Jordan, Ellen Elizabeth Jordan, and Erin Catherine Jordan;
grandsons George Andrew Munro and his wife Trisha, Isaac Jordan Severson, William David
Jordan, and Samuel Browning Severson; brother James R. Jordan of Dallas, Texas; and
numerous nieces and nephews.
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