Harrison Kelly Jordan

Harrison Kelly Jordan, 85, of Beaumont, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Harrison was born in Rayville, Louisiana, to Harrison Jordan III and Marie Kelly Jordan on November 9, 1935. He grew up in Rayville and attended Rayville High School. Harrison was President of the Student Body, President of Student Council, Co-Captain of the Football Team, Voted Most Popular, and in National Honor Society. He later graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a B.S. Degree in Business and Pre-Law. While at Louisiana Tech he was in Kappa Alpha Order, and in National Management Society.

Harrison was in the United States Air Force and was an Airman First Class. He worked for Texas Employers Insurance Association and was a Senior Claims Adjustor. For most of his career he worked for Bethlehem Steel in Beaumont as the Director of Human Resources and eventually retired from there.

Harrison was very active in his church life and was a Lay Minister, Eucharistic Minister, served on vestry committees and seven Cursillo teams. He also enjoyed packing chili for St. Mark’s Chili Supper and Bazaar every year.

He was also active in his community and was an advisor to Manpower Area Planning Committee of Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, United Way, Salvation Army, and Governor Briscoe’s Vocational Education Advisory Committee.

He generously gave his time after retiring to volunteer at Some Other Place, Big Thicket National Preserve, Golden Triangle Audubon Society, and logged over 8,000 hours at Baptist and Christus St. Elizabeth Hospitals.

Harrison and his wife, Rose Ann, spent many years traveling to forty-nine of the fifty states while birding, hiking, backpacking, and canoeing. They shared a great love for nature.

Harrison is preceded in death by his wife, Rose Ann Jordan. He is survived by his sons, Harrison W. Jordan and wife, Hien and Marc Jordan and wife, Laura; stepson, David Adrian and companion, Gloria; stepdaughters, Diane Adrian Thompson and husband, Johnny and Kathy Smartt; grandsons Allen Burch and his wife, Silvia, Austin Busbee, Ethan Busbee, and Jimmy Smartt; great-grandsons, Nathan, Liam, and Daniel Burch; in addition to his nieces, Elizabeth and Meredith.

The family is grateful to Dr. Colgan for his vigilance and compassion in caring for Harrison, and to LaDonna/Vicki and Sherry at Collier Park for always putting a smile on his face.

Harrison will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Mr. Jordan’s memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 4, 2021, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 680 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, with a reception to follow in the Payne Hall. His cremation arrangements will be handled through Broussard’s Crematorium, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.

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