Johnnie Dennis Jordan Sr.

Johnnie was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 30, 1936 to Alberta (Schroeder) and John N. Jordan. He grew up in Omaha delivering newspapers at a young age, playing hockey with friends, and graduating from Central High School in 1954. Shortly after his graduation, he became a dance instructor in Omaha for the Arthur Murray Dance Studio under the tutelage of Jo Olson. They became life-long friends.

In 1957, he and his best friend Chas joined the US Coast Guard. After spending two years in Honolulu, Hawaii he and his shipmates were transferred to Ketchikan and then to Juneau, Alaska. During his tour of duty he was promoted to Storekeeper 2nd class. He loved serving in the Coast Guard and loved telling his family and friends about his many adventures aboard the seagoing buoy tender USCGC Balsam.

He married Bobbie Fletcher in 1959. Together, the couple had one daughter and two sons, Kathie, Johnnie Jr., and Dana. Bobbie had two children, Diane and Charles, whom she raised with Johnnie. In 1963 the family moved to Salem, OR. Ten years later, they divorced.

He worked with Jaan Heinsoo for a CPA firm. Many times over the years, Jaan told us he never had a friend nor knew anyone as wonderful as Johnnie. In 1971, Johnnie was employed by the City of Salem as the utility-fund accountant. Nine years later, he was promoted to Assistant Finance Director, retiring 25 years later as the Executive Assistant to the City Manager. He had a long and distinguished career with much of his time overseeing and accounting for water and sewer funds, helping develop the partnership between the City of Salem and Marion County to provide ambulance service; serving as a member of the Marion County DUII Community Action Committee; managing the project to develop a modern financial system for the City and so much more. Johnnie was admired and respected by his employees and colleagues, alike. He never forgot his guiding principle - he was employed by the City but he worked for the People.

Four years after his retirement, the City of Stayton asked him to become their Interim Finance Director. During his two years with them, he helped modernize the payroll system, enhance key staffs’ knowledge of governmental accounting, and helped the City partner with private owners to open the Star Cinema Theater that shared the same building with City Hall. He declined when they offered him a permanent position as the Finance Director. Shortly after he left the City of Stayton, he was asked to bring his financial and budgetary expertise and participate as a voluntary budget committee member in the development of the Marion County FY 2006 - 10 annual budgets. These budgets impacted every employee and every service the County provided to the taxpayers. In the end, the Board of Commissioners adopted four annual budgets each totaling over $340,000,000.

Johnnie was an avid reader spanning the literary spectrum from historical chronicles to adventure novels. He enjoyed bowling and golfing. He made friends easily. People were drawn to his warm-hearted humor, his kindness, and his understanding. His greatest strength was listening. He listened to every word, every tone inflection, and never interrupted. He just listened.

Johnnie had been a bachelor for 18 years when he met Jeanette (DeRossett) Carpenter in 1992. She was hired as an accountant for the City of Salem. They fell in love and were married on June 29, 1995. Johnnie and Jeanette were bonded in a way that goes beyond romance, beyond friendship, beyond anything they had ever experienced before. They were partners and best friends. They loved each other deeply and knew they had an once-in-a-lifetime love. For you see, Johnnie and Jeanette were soul mates. Their love would not be denied.

Johnnie is survived by his wife Jeanette, children Kathie Beach, Johnnie Jr. (wife Kelly), Dana, and step-son Charles as well as his six grandchildren Crystal, Pamela, Aaron, Brianna, Brent, and Grant and six great grandchildren Aliyah, Adalyn, Hanna, Johnathon, Lexie, and Charles. His mother, father, younger brother Jerry, favorite Uncle Orville and step-daughter Diane preceded him in death.

A memorial service will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, March 24, 2018 in Salem, OR at Howell, Edwards, Doerksen Funeral Directors. A reception at Johnnie and Jeanette’s home will follow the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers the family asks you to make a contribution to one of Johnnie’s favorite charities – the Oregon Paralyzed Veterans, Paralyzed Veterans of America, or Wounded Warrior Project; or, to the charity of your choice.

Rest in peace Johnnie Dennis Jordan Sr. You were loved so very, very much and will be sorely missed by each and every one of us. God speed.