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Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Services obituary
3195 Atlanta Highway, Athens, GA 30606 | 706-543-7373

William Kenneth (Ken) Jordan
August 11, 1922 - May 13, 2016

Visitation
Tuesday, May 17, 2016 | 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Bernstein Funeral Home
3195 Atlanta Highway, Athens, Georgia 30606 | (706) 543-7373
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Funeral Service
Wednesday, May 18, 2016 | 3:30 p.m.
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
498 Prince Avenue, Athens, Georgia 30601
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Colonel William Kenneth Jordan, US Army Retired

William Kenneth Jordan (Ken) was born in Laurel, Mississippi to James Luther Jordan and Annie Belle Maddox on August 11, 1922. He graduated from Jones County High School in 1938 and furthered his education at Mississippi State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and Texas A&M where he received his Masters Degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he set his sights on a career in the military and enlisted June 1, 1942. He was commissioned in 1943 as a second lieutenant and served in WWII with the Ninth Army, commissioned to minefield clearance and army bridge construction. Military training and education included the Engineer School (Army Ground Forces) 1944, Engineer School (Army Engineer Officer Advanced) 1954, Command and University Command (Command and Staff Course) 1956, Command and Staff School Air (Economy of National Security) 1959, Industrial College of the Armed Forces School (Airborne Officer Special) 1963 and the US Army War College (Counter Insurgency) 1967. 27 years of active service included OCS (Officer Candidate School), NATO, CGS (Command & General Staff School), the US Army War College, and leadership roles in Germany, Iceland, the United Kingdom and Korea. Colonel Jordan earned the distinction as the only army officer in Korea to hold dual positions as first court engineer and group commander. He was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal, Army Accommodation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal (Germany), American Theatre Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, two Battle Stars and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Ken retired from the military after obtaining the rank of Colonel, September 1, 1969.

Ken Jordan began a second career in 1969 at the University of Georgia. He served as the Director of the Physical Plant, the largest of seven divisions reporting to the Vice President. Ken supervised a staff of over 800 personnel responsible to manage, operate and maintain campus landscapes, buildings and infrastructure to promote the long-term sustainability of the University of Georgia. He was the recipient of the Southeastern Top Physical Plant Administrator.

Close to those he worked with, Ken was known to regularly walk the campus to inspect construction. His employees often laughed that he could see him approach from afar, as his gait was notable-leaning forward and walking briskly. Ken retired from the University after 20 years of service in 1989.

A third career found Ken running for political office. He won the seat of District 8 Commissioner in the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government. Elected to this founding commission, he was re-elected for three terms and served from 1991-2001. He served as the Mayor's alternate for eight years.

Ken was a faithful member of Emanuel Episcopal Church for over 40 years, serving on the Vestry and as an Usher. He was a member of the Athens Rotary Club, an inaugural member of the University of Georgia President's Club, a member of the Military Officers Association of America, and championed energy conservation for the Marine Center at Sapelo Island.

Ken's first military assignment landed him in England, where he met his future bride, Jeannette Patricia White. He always said he was "fated to meet her". They lived a long and happy life together, celebrating nearly 70 years of marriage.

Ken is survived by his wife, Jean Patricia Jordan; three children: Laurel Jordan Genteman (married to Kurt Genteman, Athens, GA), William Kenneth Jordan, Jr. (married to Carol Jordan, Atlanta, GA), and Karen Jordan Askins (married to David Askins, Birmingham, AL). He has six grandchildren: Cory DeLamater (married to Dan DeLamater), Drew Genteman (married to Crystal Genteman), Keith Genteman (married to Sodonia Genteman), Preston Jordan, Jordan Lawrence (married to Christopher Lawrence) and Devon Askins. He has seven great-grandchildren: Amelia and Braden DeLamater, Trinity, Moriah and Elias Genteman, and Elise and James Genteman.

A note from the children:

Trying to sum up what our father means to our family is a tall order. We believe that his two greatest gifts to us are his legacy of integrity and family. Above all, our dad demonstrated what it is to be a man of principle within our family, in the military, at the University, politically and socially. This powerful standard guides us today. Our father, with our mother by his side, also gave us the gift of family. They demonstrated what being a strong family means, and in doing so all of the children and older grandchildren have grown up to build strong families of their own. Finally, we know that his belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior enabled him to live out these two truths. Content until his last breath, we are thankful he is in his heavenly home.

The family will receive friends Tuesday, May 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Bernstein Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Interment will be in Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to make a gift in memory, please donate to the National World War II Museum, 945 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70130 or at nationalww2museum.org. Thank you.

Online condolences may be offered at www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com.

Bernstein Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.