Daniel Franklin Jordan

On the evening of November 3, 2023, Daniel Jordan was peacefully taken to his heavenly home surrounded by absolute love, many stories, memories, a lot of tears but also a lot of laughter right up until the very end and we would have had it no other way. It is a privilege to have cared for the man who had always cared for us. He was our steady as a rock, quiet strength wrapped in humor, always up for a new project, an anytime and anywhere listening ear, ready for an adventure, there to lend a hand and never quite giving up on his being a kid at heart. And when you couldn’t find him, chances were he had struck up a long conversation with a perfect stranger or someone he had known for years that he just happened to run into. Dan was born in the post WWII era on September 2, 1947, to Patricia F. in Coronado, California. Patricia later married Robert Jordan in 1952 when Dan was 5 years old. Although Bob was not Dan’s biological father, none of that ever mattered to either of them. It doesn’t take a bloodline to be a dad. Not once did either of them ever look back, know anything less or different than ever being just Dad and Son. On November 4, 1963, Dan officially had his name changed to Jordan. Coming from a long line of military servicemen that began with service in the Revolutionary War and in every war thereafter, Dan proudly served our country as a US Navy Sailor on land and aboard the USS Midway. In Colorado, 1971, Dan met his love and best friend, Linda P. Lucky for him she reluctantly but finally agreed to a first date after turning him down at the gas station in Grand Junction. They married on July 29, 1972, and from then on were rarely apart for the next 51 years. Even working at and retiring from the City of Missoula together. With his ever so perfect handwriting, Dan’s career as a draftsman quickly turned into a career path that included, mapping, engineering, surveying, graphic design, and computer expertise. Dan’s skills took him and his family many places including Colorado, Texas, New Mexico and finally Montana. During Dan’s tenure at the City of Missoula he and coworker Ed Childers developed the framework for the City’s first computer network. Dan also developed the first digital city map, which soon became the interactive geographic information system (GIS) map which a countless number of people still use today. As his former city supervisor said, “Knowing Dan, he probably mapped his way to heaven.” As a man of faith and of the utmost integrity, Dan served in many capacities at church. He served as a Deacon at Mountain View Baptist Church in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and as an Elder and Youth Group leader at King’s Christian Church in Lolo, Montana. He was active in the planting of both churches. When he was young, Dan spent summers in the sun and surfing on the beaches of Coronado and Solana Beach, California. He shared a special relationship with his grandparents and even spent several summers helping them build their house on the Rogue River in Grants Pass, Oregon. In the late 1980’s, he drafted the architectural house plans for his parents dream log house for which they proudly built and lived in for 25 years in Grangeville, ID after retiring there. Four wheeling and the occasional jeep race in the mountains of Colorado were among Dan’s favorite hobbies. But whether it was working on a car, a project, or just something that needed fixed or revamped, he could always be found in the garage tinkering, building, fixing, and woodworking. Even making leashes, toys, and collars for his and the family’s cats and dogs. There was nothing he could not fix, build, or make just a bit better… forever learning new things and using his creativity up until his last weeks. He loved old cars and car shows and was especially proud to have his Dad’s restored 1930 Model A pickup which his parents actually used as the family car at one point. With great excitement, he participated in many car shows and parades with that old pickup which usually always ended up being a family affair. If it had to do with old cars, he was in … right alongside his dad, grandpa, brother, and son. In addition to sharing in the kind of bond only brothers can have, he and his brother Gunner were two peas in a pod and shared countless hours over all things cars. It was always family first never missing a holiday, birthday, or a chance to see his grandkids participate in whatever the moment’s event was whether that entailed a sporting event, choir concert, school play, horse event or what have you. He was always there, always a presence and winners in his eyes no matter what. There were endless backyard BBQs, breakfasts after church, camping trips, family dinners, games, countless days playing softball, a friendly video game challenge, the many trips back home to Colorado and Idaho, but it was exploring new and old places with Linda that he really loved. The Oregon Coast was a favorite. Dan and Linda had the opportunity in the few years leading up to retirement and after, to spend many years living with both of their children on their properties loving every minute and the chance to just be there and to participate in all that had to offer. He never missed the opportunity to just be together, an occasion or not. As all good grandpas do, he always let his grandkids get away with all the things he never let his kids get away with growing up. Lovingly known as “gramps”, he was fiercely and equally proud of every one of his children and grandchildren each in their own unique, individual way. It mattered not, if it was watching movies, endless hours of Lego building, bike rides, treasure hunting at a flea market, building Barbie furniture, trips to the candy store at the mall or going on an adventure, he was always ready for fun. Dan believed his greatest accomplishment in life was the legacy he would leave behind in his son, Levi and daughter, Nikki. He loved both dearly and never hesitated to brag about both to anyone he met. Faith, family, and country are the values he lived and loved by; an example to us all. Although there is now a huge hole in our lives and hearts, he has left us all with hundreds of memories, lessons taught and learned, endless laughs and many handmade creations made with love. Forever in our hearts, we could have not asked for a better husband, father, grandpa, son brother, cousin, uncle or friend. His beloved sister (Cindy), his grandparents (Elvera and Robert) and his parents (Pat and Bob) went on before him. He leaves behind his wife (Linda), brother (Eric and his wife Stephanie), daughter (Nikki and her husband Travis), son (Levi and his wife Wendy), his grandchildren Hannah [and Gabe], Travis [and Alex], Kaylee, Jenna, Addison, and Allia) and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Dan will be laid to rest with military honors at the Veterans Cemetery in Missoula at a later date. The family extends an invitation to a time of sharing and remembrance at an open house on November 18, 2023, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Please reach out to Linda, Levi or Nikki for more information.

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