Doug Jordan

Sabrina Jordan Doug was born September 20, 1950, in Windsor, Ontario, to Joseph J Jordan and Sophie (Wacheska) Jordan. Pictured are Joseph and Doug

Sabrina Jordan Doug and his mother, Sophie

Sabrina Jordan Doug volunteered for two active duty tours of Vietnam as a Marine, from 1967 to 1971. He attained the rank of Corporal. He was only sixteen when he first signed up, but didn't go active until he was seventeen.

Sabrina Jordan Doug's commendation reads: The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the BRONZE STAR MEDAL to LANCE CORPORAL DOUGLAS A JORDAN UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS for service as set forth in the following CITATION "For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam while service as a Field Radio Operator with Headquarters and Service Company, First Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division. During the early morning hours of 7 June 1969, the First Battalion Command Post in Quang Nam Province came under a heavy ground attach by a large Vietnamese Army force. Alertly observing that two seriously wounded Marines were temporarily pinned down by the intense hostile fire, Lance Corporal Jordan unhesitatingly maneuvered to within fifteen meters of the enemy. Skillfully throwing several hand grenades at the hostile soldiers while simultaneously firing his .45 caliber pistol, he enabled his companions to evacuate the wounded Marines to safety. Having expended his ammunition, Lance Corporal Jordan withdrew to obtain more hand grenades and, returning to his forward position, continued to fire on the enemy until the North Vietnamese Army unit retreated. His bold initiative and timely actions inspired all who observed him and contributed significantly to the defeat of the hostile force. Lance Corporal Jordan's courage, aggressive fighting spirit and unswerving devotion to duty in the face of great personal danger were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service."

Sabrina Jordan We think this photo may have been taken at his sister Angie's, in Detroit, not long after he left the service.

Sabrina Jordan Doug and Daryl were married in a small ceremony at Daryl's mother's home on Long Lake. Daryl wove the fabric for her own wedding suit. Daryl recalls their friends said it was the best party. Uncle Frank, sitting outside, was holding worm races on the back of his hand. The minister was a woman, Doug's best man was a woman; Doug's been surrounded by women for a lot of his life.

Sabrina Jordan Brothers Roy, Doug, and Joe Jordan at Robert Jordan's wedding to Beverly.

Sabrina Jordan Doug wanted children, and Daryl said, "Okay, we'll try." She got pregnant immediately. Sabrina was born a little early; Daryl went into labor right after her baby shower. Doug was the first one to hold Sabrina after Daryl had a caesarian.

Sabrina Jordan Celebrating Sabrina's first Christmas: Doug, Daryl, and infant Sabrina with Daryl's brother, Dave, his wife, Jan, and their two children, Reed and Alea.

Sabrina Jordan Doug, Daryl, and Sabrina took a trip to the East Coast to visit relatives. Doug helped Sabrina take her first steps. They visited Washington DC, New York, Massachusetts, and places along the way.

Sabrina Jordan

Sabrina Jordan Sabrina and Doug enjoy the water

Sabrina Jordan Daryl and Sabrina flew back to Traverse City in August, and Ariana made her arrival a week early. Daryl also went into labor with her right after her baby shower. Not scheduled to fly back for several days, Doug had to hop a plane to Chicago and drive a rental car back to Traverse City. Ariana must have known he was on his way, because she waited for his arrival.

Sabrina Jordan Doug liked living in St Croix. He enjoyed snorkeling, diving, and taking his family to the beach. When he went diving, he would bring home lobsters for dinner. He liked the tower, the tower chief, and the people he worked with.

Sabrina Jordan Hurricane Hugo hit St Croix in September, 1989. We sheltered in one of the bathrooms, which were the only rooms with a concrete ceiling as well as walls. Mom held Ariana in a rocking chair; dad and I sat in the bathtub. When the eye of the storm passed overhead, dad left and searched for anyone who needed help. We sheltered another family in the other bathroom. When the eye passed, we lost the roof of the house. Nearly everything was destroyed. Dad volunteered to stay and help with the rescue efforts for six months, which turned into nine months. Mom and Ariana and I were evacuated to the States. I remember picking out a purple panther toy from the relief bin in the Georgia airport. We flew back to Traverse City to stay with grandma Ruth.

Sabrina Jordan While Doug was staying in St Croix to help with relief efforts, he sent polaroids to make sure we weren't lonely and knew how much he loved us.

Sabrina Jordan Daryl and Doug in a hotel room. They are dressed up, but why? It's a mystery. Label your photos, please.

Sabrina Jordan Doug and Ariana playing on the foam couch at Grandma Ruth's

Sabrina Jordan Family photo: Sabrina, Daryl, Doug, Ariana. Possibly Easter Sunday at church

Sabrina Jordan Doug and Daryl bought their house in May 1990, and signed the papers on the same day they had new carpet installed in the living room. The house was the first house they saw and they really liked it, but when they called to put the offer in, it was already under contract. The realtor said to put in a contingent offer if the other fell through, which it did! So they got the house they wanted, just two months later than they had hoped.

Sabrina Jordan Doug and Ariana "exercising"

Sabrina Jordan Ariana and Doug

Sabrina Jordan Dad was always horsing around. Sabrina and Doug

Sabrina Jordan Doug and Sabrina in the strawberry patch

Sabrina Jordan Ariana, Doug, and Sabrina, during a visit to Doug's sister, Angie (maybe)

Sabrina Jordan Ariana and Doug

Sabrina Jordan

Sabrina Jordan Doug helped Ariana learn how to ski in pre-school at Holiday Hills

Sabrina Jordan Doug marched with the VFW color guard in the National Cherry Festival parade. Ariana (left) and Sabrina (right) were proud and excited!

Sabrina Jordan Doug served as Commander of VFW Post #2780 for two terms, from 1994-1995 and 1995-1996. He received All State Commander honors for both terms. He also served as Quartermaster for many years.

Sabrina Jordan Father daughter dance, Sabrina and Doug

Sabrina Jordan Doug, John LeBrun, and Judy Flynn

Sabrina Jordan Jamie holding baby Justin, Doug, Ariana, Doug's sister Sheila, Sabrina, Sheila's son Joe, Carrie holding Jacob and pregnant with Nathan

Sabrina Jordan Daryl and Doug took a trip to Letchworth State Park, the Grand Canyon of the East.

Sabrina Jordan Doug played Santa for the VFW children's Christmas party.

Sabrina Jordan Doug and Daryl

Sabrina Jordan A celebration. Sabrina, cousin Alea, Ariana, Daryl, and Doug at Grandma Ruth's house on Long Lake.

Sabrina Jordan The family and extended family spent a great deal of time at Grandma Ruth's house on Long Lake. Photo at left, Doug and Daryl on the rear patio enjoying the sunset. At right, someone we don't recognize, Ariana, Sabrina, cousin Alea, and Doug.

Sabrina Jordan Y2K: would the world grind to a halt, technologically broken by systems ill equipped to roll over to the year 2000? No. But here's this great picture of Daryl and Doug celebrating with Sabrina, Ariana, and the Hendrix family, Jo, Dan, and Ariana Margaret.

Sabrina Jordan The family camped at Disney and visited all the Disney parks and Busch Gardens. We also did the Arabian Nights dinner theater.

Sabrina Jordan Cousin Carrie's birthday celebration; Ariana, Daryl, Doug

Sabrina Jordan Dad the jokester! The photo at left is Doug on a Toys for Tots bicycle, hamming it up with Jack Pickard, Don Owens, and his best friend and the man who was his brother, John LeBrun. I have so many memories of the VFW post and hanging out with dad. Begging for quarters for the jukebox, sorting toys for Toys for Tots, and watching in amazement as my dad would almost always get toys from the claw machine. When we got older, I remember helping to clean the VFW hall after weekend events, mopping the floors with dad and lining all the tables back up perfectly for bingo that week.

Sabrina Jordan At the Webster Family Reunion, the family enjoyed sailing West Bay on the Tall Ship Manitou.

Sabrina Jordan In 2008, Dad and Mom visited me in Japan. We toured Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kyushu, and more. Dad's favorite part was definitely the food, particularly the fried squid from street carts.

Sabrina Jordan Christmas at home with the whole family. Left to right, Doug, Ariana, Sabrina, Daryl

Sabrina Jordan My dad was so proud of our accomplishments. I remember the school projects he helped me with, the multiplication tables he drilled me on, and the homework that may have frustrated him as much as it did me (but he never let on). He pushed me hard to excel in school, and I would not have been so successful without everything he did.

Sabrina Jordan Ariana's graduation from CMU with her bachelor's of science in English Literature. Sabrina, Grandma Ruth, Daryl, Ariana, and Doug

Sabrina Jordan Dad told me I looked like a true princess on my wedding day, married in a castle. We danced to "Daddy's Hands" by Holly Dunn.

Sabrina Jordan Doug was so proud to walk Ariana down the aisle and dance with her at her wedding.

Sabrina Jordan In January, Doug, Daryl, Sabrina, Ariana, Alex, and David journeyed to the US Virgin Islands for a trip that had long (27 years!) been promised to the girls -- a return to the place they once lived and a chance to see it as adults. Doug loved swimming with a sea lion, sampling rum, and most of all, spending time with the family.

Sabrina Jordan After a harrowing journey into the jungle, the intrepid adventurers actually located the ruins of the duplex they once lived in. Nothing had been rebuilt, and everything that could have been looted from the building, was, except for a prescription medicine bottle with Sabrina's name on it. The fact that we took this family vacation together, and had such quality time together, is something we are so grateful for.

Sabrina Jordan On January 7th, Doug was rushed to the hospital. The endograph for his aneurysm had broken apart, allowing the aneurysm to rupture. Surgeons repaired the aneurysm and restored blood flow to his legs, but the trauma from the internal bleeding and surgeries was severe. He was put on a ventilator and required dialysis and other life supporting functions. He fought hard to stay with us. On January 18th, his doctors said his organs were failing and he had a serious infection. Daryl, Ariana, and Sabrina were able to say goodbye and hold his hands as he passed.