Dr. John Allen Jordan, Sr., DVM

John Allen Jordan, Sr., 90, DVM, formerly of Lexington and Laurinburg, NC died peacefully Thursday, August 7, 2008 at his home in Southern Pines. He was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to John Clark and Jessie Johnson Jordan on July 7, 1918. He was the second oldest of four children and grew up in southern Scotland County where he graduated from Edwards Military Institute on a baseball and basketball scholarship. He transferred to North Carolina State College where he majored in agriculture. After college he joined the United States Navy serving five years, receiving his wings in 1942 becoming an instructor stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. In August 1942 the Navy sent him to Cherry Point to help establish a squad there then moved him to Charleston, South Carolina with the same orders. He was also stationed in Charlestown, R.I. the Navy’s first night-flight training complex where pilots learned the aerial skills they needed to serve on aircraft carriers, learning to land in the empty blackness of night. Lt. Cmdr. Jordan flew reconnaissance along the East Coast, into the Florida Keys, to Cuba and Puerto Rico searching the Atlantic for German submarines. Some of his fondest memories were of his time as a Naval Air Corp pilot and he was devoted to the Navy to the end. After the war ended, with money from the G.I. Bill and working many jobs, he went to the School of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State College, graduating in 1949. He moved to Lexington, North Carolina and set up his practice in a small two room office adjoining NR Kinney’s grocery store. In 1953 he took a partner, Dr. John Chambless and began Piedmont Animal Hospital. Fourteen years later he established Jordan Veterinary Hospital. During his 56 years of practice he established five veterinary hospitals throughout Davidson County and one, his last, in Laurinburg, NC where he practiced until he was 88. Dr. Jordan equated his career with that of Dr. James Harriott, a Scottish veterinarian who authored All Creatures Great and Small. He once said “For every case Harriott describes, I can remember one just like it.” He was an old fashioned vet who treated cows, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, and even chinchillas. He drew the line at monkeys and snakes. Open fields were his surgery tables, farmers were his assistants and he relied on heavy antibiotics instead of a sterile operating room. One of his nurses recalled how he never failed to stroke an animal affectionately, calmly comforting it before beginning an examination. When his children were small he took them in his truck to farms all over Davidson Country while making his medical calls and he delighted his grandchildren with stories of his days and late nights as a country vet. While in Lexington, he was very active in the Kiwanis Club, the First Baptist Church, and was also a Mason. He was a member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association, traveling with these groups throughout other countries on veterinary good will trips. He was an avid sportsman, hunting and fishing throughout the United States, Canada, Cuba, and South America. At 85 he was still riding his motorcycle. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, James Fred Jordan of St. Petersburg, Florida; a sister Ethel Virginia Mitchell of Rockingham and his beloved wife of 54 years and mother of his children, Lavada Smith Jordan. Dr. Jordan is survived by his loving family, wife Rhett Barrett Jordan of the home and her children, Lynn Barrett Ennis of Kentucky and Larry Barrett of South Carolina; two sons, James Byron Jordan and his wife Nancy of West Jefferson; John Allen Jordan, Jr. and his wife Michelle of Southern Pines; and a daughter, Claudia Jordan Philpott of Southern Pines; his dearly loved grandchildren, Cabell Philpott and wife, Maile of Winston Salem; Jonathan Jordan and companion, Debbie of Pinehurst; Brent Jordan and wife, Melissa of San Francisco; Katie J. Strange and husband, Thomas of Charlotte; Mackinley and Gavin Farmer of Southern Pines. Other survivors are his sister, Myrtle J. Chalk of Rockingham, numerous brothers’ and sisters’ in law and many nieces and nephews. Dr. Jordan will be remembered for his devotion to his family, his warm and loving spirit, his remarkable selflessness and genuine humility. He was an honorable and upstanding man who looked to the best in every day and accepted all of life with calm and serenity. His quiet unassuming faith was evidenced in the living of his days. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, August 9th at Richmond Memorial Park in Rockingham with the Reverend Tommy Wilson of the First Baptist Church of Lexington officiating. Military honors will also be rendered. The family will receive friends at the home of son and daughter-in-law, Allen and Michelle Jordan, 1920 Midland Road, Southern Pines immediately following the burial. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Kiwanis Kiddie Kamp Foundation, P.O. Box 1951, Lexington, NC 27293 or to the charity of one’s choice.