William Oscar Jordan

William Oscar Jordan 1924-2017 He was generous, fair-minded, and honest as the day is long. Blessed with a wonderful sense of humor he would entertain family and friends, telling us one joke after another. It is with great sorrow we announce the passing of our father, William Oscar Jordan, age 93. Oscar met his wife, our mother, Virginia Adair of Las Cruces, NM while they were both attending UNM. They married in 1950 and had six children. He was dedicated to his wife of nearly 60 years. Virginia passed away in 2010. It may have been the saddest event that ever happened to him. His family and friends called him “Oscar”. He was “Pop Oc” to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was born in 1924 to James O. Jordan and Vera (Greer) Jordan in Quay County, NM. Four of his siblings, Pluma Ringer, Nola Charles, James Jordan and Gayle Jordan predecease him. He is survived by his younger brother, Doughty Paris (JoNelle-deceased) Jordan, of Los Lunas, NM. Oscar spent his childhood on his family’s cattle ranch/wheat farm located near Jordan, NM. In 1906, the town, Jordan, NM was named for his paternal grandmother, Jennie Jordan who was post mistress there. The post office was built on the Jordan homestead claim. After graduating from high school, he and a friend hitchhiked to the Texas panhandle to “work the wheat harvest” for $2/day including room and board. In 1942, at 18, he volunteered for the draft and after training, was sent Biak Island in the Pacific where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart. Over his military career, he earned the Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign with two stars, American Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Victory Medal and Reserve Medal. In 1946, he was discharged with rank of first sergeant. He immediately joined the Army Reserve, later joining the Air Force Reserve (Kirkland Air Force Base in Albuquerque) with a commission of first lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve J.A.G. He retired in 1984 with rank of colonel. In 1947, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Law School was first established. By then, Oscar had finished three years at UNM; he enrolled in the Law School. Graduating in 1950, he passed the bar exam and was sworn in as attorney at law. He was appointed law clerk to Judge Samuel G. Bratton of the U.S. District Court of Appeals. A year later, he was approved and appointed by Senators Dennis Chavez and Clinton P. Anderson to the position of Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Mexico. He took the position of General Counsel, New Mexico State Land Office in 1953, serving in that position under numerous administrations until 1982 when he retired and opened a private law practice. For 25 years he held the position of Chairman, Legal and Legislative Committees of Western States Land Commissioners Association, was 33 years on Legal Committee of Interstate Oil Company Commission, Former Chairman of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the New Mexico State Bar, member of Santa Fe Metropolitan Water Board and advisor to New Mexico Land Resources Association. Oscar was actively involved in the New Mexico State Legislature drafting legislation for the State of New Mexico mining laws as well as drafting regulations for NM Land Office operations. He lobbied and drafted legislation to create the New Mexico Forestry Department. He dedicated a large part of his life to helping others in need. He served twenty years on the Board of Directors and three years as President for the Santa Fe Boys Club. He was an active member of the United Fund of Santa Fe County, Neighborhood Commission and Institutional Representative of Boy Scout Troops and Post for Kit Carson Council. He was a member of Santa Fe Wildlife and Conservation Association. He served as commander of the Patrick J. Hurley (Chapter 372) of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Veterans Association. For two years he served as Chairman and then served on the Board of Directors for the Santa Fe Chapter of Retired Public Employees of New Mexico. He had the commitment to excel at many different hobbies. He was an avid hunter and fisherman; he frequently included sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons on hunting trips. With a self-taught knowledge of construction and blacksmithing, some of Oscar’s projects included building the large, red barn behind his house, and fashioning a wrought iron fence which surrounds the home’s patio. He taught his children the importance of knowing one could control animals who were physically larger than oneself—he taught us the basics of saddle-breaking. And yes, we did get bucked off our Shetland ponies only to be told the only way to get over the hurt was to get right back up in the saddle. This being only one of many life lessons he imparted to us as we grew up under his guidance and his example. Oscar is survived by his children, Steve (Frances) Jordan, Judy (Wayne) Robbie, Jennie (Dave) Austin, Mark Jordan, Beth (Jose) Oms and Tim (Adriana) Jordan. He is predeceased by one grandchild, Kevin Austin and survived by ten grandchildren: William (Hillary) Robbie, Emilia (Konrad) Dzula, Philip Austin, Kelly (Ivan) Sued, Alex (Heather) Jordan, Tyler Jordan, Harry Oms, Olivia Oms, Jacqueline Jordan and Wyatt Jordan. His great-grandchildren are Clive Jordan, Lily Jordan and Tristan Dzula. He is survived by his many nieces and nephews. We give thanks for the wonderful life he and our mother shared with us. They shaped us into the people we are today. We promise to carry forward Pop Oc’s generosity, his service to those in need, his truthfulness and his wonderful sense of fairness. A funeral service will conducted at 11:00 am Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at Rivera Family Kiva Chapel. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery