Richard Owen Jordan

Richard Owen Jordan, 97 passed away on October 3, 2023, at Stonehenge Rehab Care Center in South Jordan, Utah. He was born August 18, 1926, in Salt Lake City to Audrey Mary Pope and James Owen Jordan. He was the oldest of four children, a sister Bonnie Jordan Farr, and brothers Gerald and Perry Jordan.

During the depression at 8 years old, his family moved to Oklahoma where his Dad and later Richard worked at his uncle Art’s country grocery store. At age 16 his family moved back to Utah. Richard graduated from Jordan High School in 1945. He was drafted into the Army at the end of WW2. After his induction at Fort Douglas in Salt Lake City he was sent to Southern California. In the Army, because of his experience working in a grocery store, he was put in charge of running a cold storage warehouse. Since he really wasn't that knowledgeable about running a warehouse, he said he relied heavily on a German POW who had worked in the warehouse. He said the German prisoner was a good man and spoke perfect English. After 8 months in California, he was transferred to Filer, Idaho near Twin Falls where he worked as a guard at a German POW camp, guarding about 400 German prisoners. He told stories about a young POW who was captured at the age of 15 and spoke perfect English. Richard befriended him and would take him into Twin Falls to do shopping for the camp. He said they were quite a sight walking around Twin Falls, he in his fatigues and the prisoner in his prisoner clothing with huge PWs all over his front and back. He said his one regret about the war was that he didn’t take the opportunity to learn German from the prisoners. After the war, he accompanied the prisoners on a train back to New York to be sent back to Germany.

After his discharge from the army Richard was called on a LDS Mission. He served in the Southern California Mission under Mission President Oscar McKonkie (Bruce R. McKonkie’s father). He had the unique experience of serving without a “purse or script”. He said it made the mission quite challenging, particularly having to find a place to stay every night. They had to carry a $10 bill in their wallets at all times so they could not be picked up as vagrants.

After his mission, he enrolled at the University of Utah getting a bachelor’s degree in education. He taught elementary school in the Granite School District and then for 6 years at the University of Utah School of Education laboratory school. He went on to earn a master’s degree and then a Doctorate degree in Education Administration from the University of Utah. He then worked as a principal at several schools in Granite School District. After retiring from the district, he took a job with the federal government administering tests at schools, and traveling all over the country.

Richard married Una Jean Rhodes in the Salt Lake Temple on March 21, 1952. They had five children. Janene, Terri Lyn, Susan Marion, Mark Richard, and David Richard. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife Una Jean and a wonderful, loving, and supportive Father and Grandfather. He really enjoyed traveling with the family, stopping at every historical marker along the road. He loved camping, fishing, and gardening. He was very good at construction and built 3 separate homes for his family.

After Una Jean passed away in 2008, in 2009 Richard married June Davis on Feb. 14, 2009. Richard and June served 3 separate missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They served in the New York City, Nauvoo, Illinois, and Orem Utah Missions. Richard was a faithful and dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ. He served in many callings in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints striving to help and love his family and his neighbors in all ways and places. He was blessed with a long life which he lived well. He was a great example of hard work, charity, and service to others. He was the strong Patriarch and leader to both his family and his adopted family. He will be missed.

He is survived by his wife June Jordan, children: Janene (Maury) of Mesa, AZ, Terri (Scott) of Sandy, UT, Susan of Sandy, Utah, Mark (Minerva) of New Haven, UT, and David (Charese) of Syracuse, UT. 17 Grandchildren and 14 Great Grandchildren plus 1 due in November. Stepchildren: Carol Ann Hafen (John) of Glenns Ferry, ID, Lesia Ann Johnson (Darryl) of Herriman, UT, Darrin Lynn Doman (Keven) of Salt Lake City, UT, Brenda June VanValkenburg of Saratoga Springs, UT, and David Lynn Doman (Heather) of Hansen, ID. 16 Step Grandchildren and 13 Step Great Grandchildren.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Una Jean Rhodes Jordan, and his sister Bonnie Farr (Robert).

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Larkin Mortuary Riverton 3688 W. 12600 S. Riverton, Utah There will be a viewing at the Mortuary Friday from 6 - 8 P.M. Also, 1 hour prior to the services from 10:00 - 10:45 A.M. Interment will be at Larkin Sunset Gardens 1950 E. 10600 S. Sandy, Utah