Gary Jordan

Gary Gene Jordan, 69, of Brownsville/Corpus Christi, gained his wings on January 9th, 2023. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and friend born August 22nd, 1953, to George Washington & Margie White Jordan in Shreveport, Louisiana.  After graduating from Wood Lawn High School, Gary immediately joined the United States Navy where he received orders out of boot camp to VA-155 conducting combat operations from USS Oriskany (CVA-34) off the coast of Vietnam.  After his VA-155 tour he spent the rest of the 1970s at NATTC in Meridian, Mississippi, USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63), NAS Cubi Pt., Naval Support Activity Treasure Island, VA-125 at Lemoore, NAS Lemoore, and VA-22.  As the 1980s came and went, Chief Jordan’s tours included Naval Station Subic Bay, VA-25, Naval Recruiting District Glenview, Illinois, Light Attack Wing, Pacific, VP-47, and, finally, VFA-151.  Gary joined the Vigilantes in the Persian Gulf in February 1991 during Operation Desert Storm.  Over two decades Gary’s performance in and out of the Aviation Administration rating was consistently stellar, evidenced by his awards, including the Navy Achievement Medal, five Good Conduct Medals, EAWS designation, and a multitude of unit and campaign awards.

After 20 years of service and dedication, Gary piped ashore and retired from the U.S. Navy. After the Navy, Gary kickstarted a few different career paths, where he concluded a career at McCoy’s Building Supply for nearly a decade.

In 1991, Gary met Janie Cavazos in Hanford, California. Their instant attraction for each other and their love for dancing made these two inseparable. Gary gained two children Mark and Desiree, and then went on to have two children together with Janie, Ryan and Whitney. Gary’s children and grandchildren were his pride and joy.

Some of Gary’s hobbies included fishing, golfing, singing, and barbecuing/cooking. He loved gardening and took pride in his efforts to produce a pristine garden for his lovely wife Janie. Gary loved many sports, baseball and football being some of his favorites, he was a lifetime LSU and New Orleans Saints fan. Gary spent many seasons coaching his children’s baseball teams. Gary was a simple man who enjoyed his morning cup of coffee on the porch watching the sunrise.  He loved his family dearly and always lived life to the fullest.

Gary is preceded in death by his father, George Washington Jordan; mother, Margie White Jordan; brothers, Marvin Jordan, James “Bud” Jordan, and George Edward; and grandson, Taylor Thornton.

Gary is survived by his wife, Janie Jordan; son, Mark Figueroa; daughter, Desiree Figueroa (Jason Thornton); son, Ryan Jordan; daughter, Whitney Jordan Fira (Justin Fira); and grandchildren, Bayleigh, Dora, Eli, Easton, Bryce, Ezra & Kezia, and brother, Joe Jordan.

The funeral service will begin at Sawyer-George Funeral Home on Thursday, January 26, 2023, at 12:30p.m.. The interment will follow at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00p.m., where he will receive military honors. Pallbearers for the services will be: Mark Figueroa, Ryan Jordan, Jason Thornton, Justin Fira, Eli Figueroa, Thomas Hinojosa.