John Jordan

John Craig Jordan was born on December 5,1945 in Morehead, Minnesota to Ruth and Richard Jordan. He was 76 when he passed away at home in Centennial, Colorado on April 2, 2022. He grew up in Fargo, North Dakota where he attended Shanley High School. After his parents moved to Billings, Montana, John attended Notre Dame University where he met his wife, Carolyn, who was a student at St. Mary’s College. While at Notre Dame John was student manager for the basketball team and became a Monogram Club member.

His pursuit of law took him to Colorado where he attended the University of Denver Law School. John and Carolyn married in 1968 before his second year of law school.

John entered the army after law school. When his Basic training was completed he was assigned to the 120th JAG Detention Reserve unit in Denver and was reunited with his wife, Carolyn. He was honorably discharged from the Army Reserves after 14 years.

After his active duty in the army, John was employed by the 18th Judicial District DA’s office. John spent his legal career there where he became the Chief Deputy District Attorney. He shared his passion for the law by teaching criminal law at Arapahoe Community College Law Enforcement Academy for 20 years. John was also a part-time faculty member of the National District Attorney’s Association Advocacy Center in Columbia, South Carolina. He used his knowledge of law as he served on the Community Corrections Board for the 18th Judicial District which makes decisions concerning treatment of persons charged with criminal offenses.

John loved people. No one was a stranger to him. Everyone who knew him had a John Jordan story. He never stood in a line without striking up a conversation with those around him. He would even tell the restaurant patrons at the table next to him what they should order. He enjoyed sharing stories with friends and family, he could make a connection to practically any topic of conversation.

John and Carolyn enjoyed traveling both in the United States and abroad. They toured Norway exploring John’s heritage and also Holland and Germany for Carolyn’s roots. They made trips to the East Bay Area in California to visit with their son Joe’s family. But over the years their favorite getaway has been to their condo in Breckenridge - Daylight Donuts for breakfast and pizza at Fatty’s for dinner, skiing or hiking in between.

They would spend weekends cooking (and eating) together. Chinese and Thai dishes were some of their specialties. He made a spicy green chili and mouth watering pulled pork on the grill. Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday. He’d be up early making the stuffing and getting the turkey into the oven while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on television.

John was an avid sports fan. Whether at home or at the game he could be heard loudly supporting the Broncos, Nuggets, Avs, and Rockies. Of course, over the years he would passionately CHEER for Notre Dame to “win over all”.

John was a loving and proud father to Michael, Joe, and Matt. He cherished his daughters-in-law Marnie, Valerie, and Jenny. He adored his grandchildren Kendall, Olivia, Zachary, Ambrose, and Adelaide.  He will be missed by his siblings Bob (Kaye), Celine (Charley), Ruth Ann and Paula (Kim), as well as his cousin Pat (Katie). He will also be missed by Carolyn’s siblings Tom, Marianne (Steve), Don (Mimi), Julie and Joan (Kelly) and many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers please donate to:

Assisted Cycling Tours or St. Vincent de Paul Society.

To donate to either go to coloradogives.org