John William Jordan, 72, Sturgis, died Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Sturgis Regional Hospital.

John was born June 18, 1944, in Wagner, SD, to Clifford and Mini Jordan, the youngest of seven children. Soon after John's birth, his father was diagnosed with tuberculosis. The family farm near Armor, SD, was sold, and like a scene out of the Grapes of Wrath, the family traveled in an old Model A with household goods strapped to the top to Superior, AZ. The warm and dry climate did not provide the conditions expected to improve his father's health. The family soon moved back to South Dakota where his father became a patient in the sanatorium in Custer, SD. After his father's death when John was three, the family moved to White River, SD, to be close to his mother's family, the McKees. It was in White River where John spent his formative years and became fiercely attached and loyal to his extended family. Throughout his life, his closest friends were his relatives and he never lived far from this extended family.

John was quick to stand up for himself and his family. Growing up in the 1950's he and his siblings suffered the social stigma against tuberculosis, since it was well known that his father had died of the disease. It was not uncommon for kids to taunt him and his sister, Beverly, as "TB Jordan." John was quick to protect his family's honor and had many visits with school officials for fighting. He once said that after a while the kids left him alone, not because he won every fight, but because he never backed down from one.

Though John never knew his father well, he only had faint and vague memories of his dad, he was fortunate to have a "father-like" relationship with his uncle, Jim Goff. John lived with Uncle Jim and Aunt Evelyn in California during his early years of high school in the late 1950's. With a smile, John always called this his boot camp experience, since as a young and somewhat rowdy teenager, his mother sent him to live with Uncle Jim to provide "father-like" discipline she felt he needed, which for those who remember Uncle Jim, he had no problem providing. John loved Jim and was at his side when Jim died tragically in a vehicle accident in the mid 1970's.

John was married at the age of 21 to Susanne Smithburg. Though the marriage was not destined to last, their relationship did result in three children; Aaron, Jenifer, and Karena. John loved and took pride in his children, their spouses, and his many grandchildren. Though he grew up without a father, he himself was a good father to his children. He gave them love, encouragement, discipline when necessary, and was always there to assist when they needed a helping hand.

In 1982, John married his life partner, Charlotte Peterson. This marriage extended John's family to include Char's daughter, Cheryl, and her two sons. John and Char packed a lot into a marriage that spanned 34 years. In addition to working, raising children, doting on their grandchildren, they also traveled throughout the United States on their Honda motorcycle, spent many winters living it up in Arizona, and spent several years living in California during the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays selling pumpkins and Christmas trees. Char became a member of the extended family, and in addition to her own daughter, Cheryl, and her family, was a loving and caring parent to Aaron, Jenifer, and Karena, and their families.

John was never one to sit still; there was always something that needed to be done. He loved tinkering with anything that needed to be fixed. His home is scattered with finished projects, others still waiting his experienced touch. He didn't like spending more on gasoline than what was necessary; he would spend $1 driving around to find the cheapest gas that saved him 50 cents. John was not known for his great memory, one grandson once remarked about his many trips to McDonalds with Grandpa, "Why does Grandpa always forget to turn into McDonalds?" John's memory issue is most likely a byproduct of his next trait; he was a dreamer, a trait he shares with many of his relatives (like Mike and Vic Wang); he always had or was making a plan or had a "can't lose" idea. But above all else, John was dedicated to his family; their problems became his problems. He was unselfish with his time and was always willing to lend an ear, advise, and along with Char, ensured that his siblings and cousins had access to the best medical care. They always took the time and expense to drive family members to appointments in Rochester, MN, or opened up their home if they needed a place to convalesce. John will be greatly missed and his loss opens a hole in our hearts that cannot be filled; but like the example he provided through his own trials and tribulations, we will endure and carry his example forward.

John is survived by his wife, Charlotte Jordan; son, Aaron of Sturgis, and his wife, Cheryl, and their three children, John and wife, Taylor, Andy, and Mya; daughter, Jenifer Jensen of Lance Creek, WY, her husband, Chris, and two sons, Keith Eich and Drake Jennings and his wife, Megan; daughter, Karena Carlson from Burke, VA, and her husband, Travis, and their two children, Zoe and Anders; daughter, Cheryl Salsbury of Sturgis, her partner, Brian, and son, Sean Salsbury, and his wife, Becca; sisters, Bonnie Wang of Sturgis and Beverly Rada of Boise, ID; and his many nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Minnie; brothers, Clifford, Merle and Frank; sister, Betty Scull; and grandson, Ryan Waterland.

Visitation will be Friday, December 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 3, 2016, at 2:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel with Pastor Herbert Cleveland officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery near Deadwood.

Click on link to view service folder