Roll Call Tribute
George Jordan Jr. '41 March 4, 2015 9:50 AM
Published in Houston Chronicle from Mar. 1 to Mar. 4, 2015
George Royal Jordan Jr.(1920 - 2015)
George Royal Jordan, Jr.
1920-2015
George Royal Jordan, Jr., 94, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, February 27, 2015, in Houston, Texas. He was born in Forney, Texas, on June 9, 1920, to George Royal Jordan, Sr. and Lucile Hailey Jordan. In 1932 George moved with his parents and older brother, Edwin B. Jordan, to Dallas, and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1937. He attended Texas A&M University (class of 1941) and was a member of ROTC. WWII interrupted his college career in 1941; he began active duty as second lieutenant serving in Seattle and Okinawa, and was discharged in 1946 with the rank of major. On leave in 1943 George met the love of his life, Mary Julia von Blucher. They married on February 6, 1944, in Austin, Texas. After the war, he returned to Texas A&M, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1946, and later earned a Masters of Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa in 1948.
From Iowa, George and his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he served as an actuary with the Travelers Insurance Company. In 1950 he moved to Dallas to work for Southland Life Insurance Company, becoming Executive Vice President in 1961 and serving on the Board of Directors from 1956-1970. He moved to Houston in 1970 as President of Great Southern Life Insurance Company and later became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. At the age of 64 he founded Columbia Universal Life Insurance Co. and served as Chairman until he retired nine years later.
In the later years of his life the love of God, family, and friends became the primary focus of George's life. After studying the Scriptures and being discipled, George helped launchThe Gathering of Men, a ministry that equips men to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.
He loved his church, First Presbyterian Church of Houston, where he was a devoted member for 45 years and served as an elder. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Texas Presbyterian Foundation, Austin College, and Mo Ranch. After volunteering at the Shepherd's Center, a ministry to those in crisis in our community, he gained an understanding of the needs of those living in poverty. That compassion for the poor led him to support Main Street Ministries, WorkFaith Connection, and The Nehemiah Center with his time and resources.
George possessed a great love for life; he was a competitive athlete and sportsman enjoying golf, tennis, hunting and fishing. Other hobbies included Aggie football, cooking, traveling, and ranching. In the last 40 years, his greatest passion became gathering his family and friends together to make memories and build relationships. Along the way, he imparted to his family his love for other cultures and fine food by taking them on many wonderful trips here and abroad.
George is preceded in death by his parents and brother Edwin. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years Mary Julia von Blucher Jordan; their three daughters Carol Taylor and her husband Dan, Claudia Stewart and her husband Alan, and Mary Lu Campbell and her husband Jim, all of Houston; grandchildren, Mary Shannon and Todd Ratliff, Julie and Marcos Leon, Hailey and Cam Huxford, Daniel Taylor, Carol and Jeremiah Chan, Marie and Robert McKee, Jean Stewart, Jordan and Mary Catherine Campbell, Stewart Campbell, Stephen and Beth Campbell, and Anna Campbell; 14 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers who loved and supported George so well: Helen Arterberry and her team, Victoria Silva, Yeonette Knapp, and long-time administrative assistant, Evelynie Lubowski. We also wish to thank Dr. David Rosenthal of MD Anderson for his friendship, personal care, and concern over the last two years.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77004, the Rev. Dr. Jim Birchfield and the Rev. Dr. Bill Heston officiating. Immediately following, the family will host a reception in the Fellowship Hall. A private inurnment and committal service will have taken place previously.
In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Main Street Ministries, 5100 Travis St., Houston, TX, 77002 or to WorkFaith Connection, 10120 Northwest Freeway #200, Houston, TX, 77092.
Funeral Home
Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors
1010 Bering Drive Houston, TX 77057
(713) 789-3005
George Royal Jordan Jr.(1920 - 2015)
George Royal Jordan, Jr.
1920-2015
George Royal Jordan, Jr., 94, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Friday, February 27, 2015, in Houston, Texas. He was born in Forney, Texas, on June 9, 1920, to George Royal Jordan, Sr. and Lucile Hailey Jordan. In 1932 George moved with his parents and older brother, Edwin B. Jordan, to Dallas, and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1937. He attended Texas A&M University (class of 1941) and was a member of ROTC. WWII interrupted his college career in 1941; he began active duty as second lieutenant serving in Seattle and Okinawa, and was discharged in 1946 with the rank of major. On leave in 1943 George met the love of his life, Mary Julia von Blucher. They married on February 6, 1944, in Austin, Texas. After the war, he returned to Texas A&M, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1946, and later earned a Masters of Actuarial Science from the University of Iowa in 1948.
From Iowa, George and his family moved to Hartford, Connecticut, where he served as an actuary with the Travelers Insurance Company. In 1950 he moved to Dallas to work for Southland Life Insurance Company, becoming Executive Vice President in 1961 and serving on the Board of Directors from 1956-1970. He moved to Houston in 1970 as President of Great Southern Life Insurance Company and later became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. At the age of 64 he founded Columbia Universal Life Insurance Co. and served as Chairman until he retired nine years later.
In the later years of his life the love of God, family, and friends became the primary focus of George's life. After studying the Scriptures and being discipled, George helped launchThe Gathering of Men, a ministry that equips men to grow in their faith in Jesus Christ.
He loved his church, First Presbyterian Church of Houston, where he was a devoted member for 45 years and served as an elder. He also served on the Board of Trustees of Texas Presbyterian Foundation, Austin College, and Mo Ranch. After volunteering at the Shepherd's Center, a ministry to those in crisis in our community, he gained an understanding of the needs of those living in poverty. That compassion for the poor led him to support Main Street Ministries, WorkFaith Connection, and The Nehemiah Center with his time and resources.
George possessed a great love for life; he was a competitive athlete and sportsman enjoying golf, tennis, hunting and fishing. Other hobbies included Aggie football, cooking, traveling, and ranching. In the last 40 years, his greatest passion became gathering his family and friends together to make memories and build relationships. Along the way, he imparted to his family his love for other cultures and fine food by taking them on many wonderful trips here and abroad.
George is preceded in death by his parents and brother Edwin. He is survived by his loving wife of 71 years Mary Julia von Blucher Jordan; their three daughters Carol Taylor and her husband Dan, Claudia Stewart and her husband Alan, and Mary Lu Campbell and her husband Jim, all of Houston; grandchildren, Mary Shannon and Todd Ratliff, Julie and Marcos Leon, Hailey and Cam Huxford, Daniel Taylor, Carol and Jeremiah Chan, Marie and Robert McKee, Jean Stewart, Jordan and Mary Catherine Campbell, Stewart Campbell, Stephen and Beth Campbell, and Anna Campbell; 14 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he dearly loved.
The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers who loved and supported George so well: Helen Arterberry and her team, Victoria Silva, Yeonette Knapp, and long-time administrative assistant, Evelynie Lubowski. We also wish to thank Dr. David Rosenthal of MD Anderson for his friendship, personal care, and concern over the last two years.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 6, at First Presbyterian Church, 5300 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77004, the Rev. Dr. Jim Birchfield and the Rev. Dr. Bill Heston officiating. Immediately following, the family will host a reception in the Fellowship Hall. A private inurnment and committal service will have taken place previously.
In lieu of flowers and customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to Main Street Ministries, 5100 Travis St., Houston, TX, 77002 or to WorkFaith Connection, 10120 Northwest Freeway #200, Houston, TX, 77092.
Funeral Home
Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors
1010 Bering Drive Houston, TX 77057
(713) 789-3005
505 George Bush Drive
College Station, TX 77840
(979) 845-7514
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