of Fort Smith, AR

April 5, 1924 - June 16, 2021

Thurman Odell Jordan, Lt. Col Retired, 97, passed away, June 16, 2021, at the Valley Springs Health and Rehabilitation in Van Buren. He was born April 5, 1924, the son of the late Bethel and Mae (Ellington) Jordan.

Thurman was born near Magazine, Arkansas, and attended Magazine Elementary School before moving to the Paris School District. It was while he was a senior at Paris High School that he received his military draft notice. He was later told that the draft was in error and he could return home. He chose instead to enlist in the Navy where he would serve with honor for the next 31 years. Thurman served his country through three wars with honor and integrity until his discharge in 1973.

Thurman was a lifetime member and past president of the Arkansas Audubon Society and a lifetime member of the American Legion, Post #31. He was a recipient of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Habitat Conservation Award, both flora and fauna. Thurman served four times as a silver-haired legislator. He was a member of the Marvin Altman fitness center for more than 20 years. Thurman was a long time faithful member of the Noon Exchange Club, where he received the first ever Eagle Award for outstanding community service. He attended First United Methodist Church, where he was a member of the Builders Sunday School Class.

Thurman was preceded in death his parents; his first wife, who was the mother of his children, Lois Wilkinson; his second wife, Molly Smith Jordan; two sisters, Arwelia Davison and Anita McGrath; one brother, Don Jordan and one grandson, David Jordan.

He is survived by one daughter, Donna Jordan of Maryland; four sons, John Jordan of West Virginia, Keith Jordan of West Virginia, Wayne Jordan of Maryland and Mark Jordan and wife Lek of Fort Smith; one stepdaughter, Barbara Wilson and husband David of Van Buren; one stepson, Steve Barthol and wife Debbie of Fort Smith; two sisters, Dorothy Rhinehart of Paris and Mabel Serpa of Paris; 7 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 4 step grandchildren and 2 step great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 20, 2021, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris.

Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m., on Monday, June 21 2021, at Roller Funeral Home Chapel in Paris. Burial will follow in Ellington Cemetery in Magazine with full military honors under the direction of Roller Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Mike Core, Kaden Benge, Chris Benge, David Wilson, Justin Wilson and Paul Bowen.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Kannan, Keith Green, Claude Legris and the Noon Exchange Club.

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