J. Earl Jordan

Jefferson Earl Jordan, 66, passed away February 24, 2017. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 25th at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Michael Lewis of Lubbock and Steve Queen of Abilene will be officiating. Earl was born to Thomas Edward and Dollie Faye Jordan on January 16, 1951, in Baird, Texas. He graduated from Cooper High School in 1969. After the death of his mother in 1956, Earl and his siblings were placed in the care of Hendrick Home for Children while his dad continued as a truck driver. Upon graduation from Cooper, Earl enrolled at Hardin-Simmons University where he was very involved with the Six White Horses as their wrangler on road trips. He attended Abilene Christian University to extend his degree in agriculture and education. He received a Master's from Sam Houston State University while working in the prison system in Huntsville. In addition to working in the Prison System of Texas, Mr. Jordan taught ag for several years and worked in meat inspection. In 1984, he married the love of his life – Starla Ruth Stewart – and remained a dedicated and devoted husband for 32 years until her Lord called her home August 15, 2016. Earl and Starla Ruth loved children and doted on their nieces, nephews, and young children at their church. Earl was an outstanding leather crafter and cook. Earl and Starla carried on the tradition learned from the Turnerhills at the Home of "cooking for Cox's army"! They enjoyed baking breads and selling them at the Farmers' Market. Mr. Jordan was a square dancer, Christian, Mason, and friend. He participated in the Grief Share group at First Baptist Church, Abilene and encouraged others who were grieving. He was faithful in his quiet time each day and regularly watched Dr. Stanley and took notes each Saturday evening during the illness of his wife and as his back pain limited his mobility. Earl liked to kid around, loved life, his family, and enjoyed being out in nature. He cared about people and assisted those in need and who needed rides to appointments. Earl was preceded in death by his wife – Starla, parents Thomas and Dollie Jordan, sister – Etta Hill, and nephew Will Jordan, father-in-law Dr. George C. Stewart, and brothers-in-law John and George "Porge" Stewart. He is survived by one brother William Jordan and wife Peggy of Lueders, Texas, their children, Jewellee Kuenstler (Tracy) and TJ, Cody Jordan (Jamie), Rylon and Mason, his mother-in-law, Katherine Stewart, sister-in-law/brother-in-law Angela and Monty Lewis, nieces and nephews Michael and Kristen Lewis, Carter and Evyn of Lubbock, Sherri Lewis of Euless, David and Jessica Lewis, Lilly Beth of San Marcos; sister-in-law Karel Stewart of North Richland Hills, niece and nephews John and Brooke Stewart, James Stewart, and Katie Stewart; brother-in-law, Roy Hill and nieces and nephews Michael Jordan; Mayaca Hill; Gabriel Jordan, Actavias Lowry, Quaesean Hill, and Jehki Hill, all of Abilene, Texas. He is also survived by special relatives, brothers and sisters-in-law, Curtis Sr. and Laveta King; nieces and nephews, Ashley, Curtis Jr., Shaneca and Quentin King, all of Abilene, Texas, and life-long friends Mr. and Mrs. Hershel McDonald of Livingston, TX; and a host of church family and friends. The family requests that memorials be made to Hendrick Home for Children, PO Box 5195, Abilene, TX 79608; Hardin-Simmons University, Six White Horses, HSU Station, Box 16100, Abilene, TX 79698; or the donor's favorite charity.