Dates
John Frederick Jordan was born August 22, 1938, in Laredo, Texas, the first of Sam and Helen Jordan’s seven children.
Growing up helping his father with the family ranch during the hard drought times of the 1950’s, he developed an ethic of hard work and developed the dream of having a ranch of his own.
He attended St. Joseph’s Academy and excelled in academics and sports. He participated in livestock shows with the iconic ‘white face’ Hereford steers. His winnings became the beginnings of his college fund. In 1956, he sold his horse and saddle, added to the college fund, began his studies at Texas Tech, and earned a degree in Civil Engineering. After graduating he served in the Army National Guard and saw active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He was employed by the Watkins Bridge Company and began his life’s work of constructing bridges and overpasses for Texas highways, many of them on US I-10 from Seguin, to Fort Stockton. Development of new roads in the San Angelo area precipitated the family’s move there in 1970. Dozens of projects under his supervision were constructed and stand today as concrete memorials to his work including the Robert A. Junell Overpass at Houston Harte Expressway and US 87, and the Neff Park Celebration Bridge across the Concho River.
John married Ruth and joined a family with four children becoming “Daddy” to Bo, Suzi, Jolie and Polly.
After the retirement of Watkins, JAScon Construction Company was created with partners, James Averill and CV Sheffield. It flourished and provided the means to fulfill his boyhood dream of having his own ranch. So, in 1982 he purchased “The Ranch” in Menard County near the tiny town of Hext. John enjoyed a becoming a respected member of the ranching community. Raising cattle, sheep and Angora goats, he took pride in improving his land by prescribed burning and exterminating the invasive cactus and Mesquite. He passed on his experience and knowledge and love for ranching and hunting to his son, daughters and grandchildren.
John is survived by his wife, Ruth, and a large group of loved ones who call him “Pepa”. They are James Bo Strickland, (Lisa), Shaun Strickland ( Amy), Reata and Spade; Dusty Strickland; Suzi Marshall (Randy), Beth Alexander( G.W.) ,Cinda, John Marshall , Chevi; Lee Marshall (Emily), Hadley and Merritt; Jolie Confer (Dan), Ivy Gomez (Juan), Elisa, Lydia and Amaya; Jeri Vick, Rowdy and Rustin: Emily Almaguer; Polly Vaughan (Tom), Samantha Saldavar, Hannah Casey, Calista Sutrell; Jimmy Vaughan (Bonny), Evy; Francesca Vaughan.
He is also survived by Jerome Jordan (Sharyn), Pamela Jordan, Janine Haralson; Russell Jordan; Bobby Jordan (Judy), John David Jordan (Elva), Helen Jordan; Elizabeth Jordan; Rosemary Contreras (Johnny); Helen Baker; Kathleen Scott and Anna Dodier;.
Preceding him in death are his parents, brother Joe Jordan, sister Carolyn Scott and Shannon Jordan
Memorial service will be held October 22 at 2:00 PM at Harper Funeral Home, 2606 Southwest Blvd in San Angelo.
Tributes to John may be donated to Friends of San Angelo State Park, at 3900-2 Mercedes, San Angelo, TX 76901, or Meals for the Elderly.
Memorial Service
Saturday, October 22, 2022
2:00PM
Harper Funeral Home
2606 Southland Boulevard
San Angelo, TX 76904