Wayne Dennis Jordan

Wayne Dennis Jordan, age 72, of Norco, CA passed peacefully on April 16, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Wayne had a positive, generous spirit with a can-do attitude; a curious, engineering mind that accepted few limitations; a friendly smile and a charming willingness to talk to anyone; an oversized, lifelong enthusiasm for model trains; a deep love for his and wife Dena’s dogs; and an incredible determination and optimism that carried him through his various health challenges including two separate bouts with cancer.

Wayne was born June 20, 1953, in Norfolk, Virginia to William Congdon Jordan, a Navy sailor, and Evelyn Lena (Demers) Jordan. They moved to Riverside, CA when Wayne was young, and Wayne’s three brothers, Dennis, Tom, and Gary, were born there. One of Wayne’s proudest moments from his youth was playing on Notre Dame High School’s first CIF Football Championship Team in 1970. Through football Wayne made incredible friendships, especially Dale Dehart, Charlie Davis, and Tom Steele with whom he remained friends his entire life.

After high school, Wayne studied engineering at Cal Poly Pomona. He put his engineering degree to use, working on rockets and missiles as an engineer in the defense industry for over 30 years. If you spent time with Wayne, you could see that engineering was in his nature: he assessed cause and effect, and he loved putting things together – especially model trains and railroads.

Wayne met his wife Dena at a smoker’s lounge. They discovered their shared love of animals—and propensity to spoil them—and the rest is history. They moved to Norco, CA, where they made room not only for 8 dogs, but also 1 horse and a saltwater aquarium. They loved the show dog community and befriended many, especially Dr. Jennifer Wells, DC, who was a cherished friend of both Wayne and Dena’s for many years.

Wayne’s biggest passion in life was his dogs. He began showing Airedale Terriers in the 1980s and then began showing Cairn Terriers too. Wayne and Dena cherished their RV trips with them, because of dear friendships with Terrier lovers from around the country, especially Virginia Smith, Deirdre Dawson, and Erin McCann of Lodi, CA, and Suzee Cooley and Karen Smith of Southern California. One of Wayne’s happiest memories was winning Best of Breed with his dog Garth at the famous Westminster Dog Show in 2005. Wayne gave back too, serving on boards and committees for the Southern California Cairn Terrier Club. No matter where their RV trips took them, Wayne and Dena made time to stop in Yellowstone, WY, a place they both treasured for the abundance of wildlife and majestic scenery.

Wayne was predeceased by his wife Dena Jordan of Norco, CA, and parents, William and Evelyn Jordan of Riverside, CA. Wayne is survived by his brothers Dennis of St. Augustine, Florida, Tom of Riverside, CA, and Gary and his wife, Brenda JC Jordan, of West Point, NY; numerous nieces and nephews, especially Mikala Jordan of Biddeford, Maine; and Dena’s daughter Lisa Wilders of Mammoth Lakes, CA, and Costa Rica.

Wayne will be remembered for his warmth, curiosity, and unwavering optimism.

Services will be held at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary in Riverside on May 7, 2026, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Take The Lead – a Section 501(c)(3) organization Wayne and Dena supported to help care for qualified participants in the sport of dogs who suffer from life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Donations can be made online at https://takethelead.org/donation .