Olen Jordan, a beloved educator, coach, and businessman from Paris, Texas, passed away peacefully on February 1, 2025, at his residence in Garland City, Arkansas.
Highlights
- He was a multifaceted community leader who made his mark in three distinct areas: as an educator teaching English, as a coach across multiple sports (football, basketball, and baseball), and as a successful business owner of Jordan’s Masonry for 35 years.
- His 48-year marriage to Jan, his close relationship with his son Justin, and his special bond with his brother Larry, whom he coached and mentored, shaped both his personal life and professional decisions.
- His influence spanned generations and continues beyond his death through the physical structures he built in Paris, Texas, the students he mentored, and the lasting impact he had on local sports programs at multiple institutions, including Paris High School, Paris Junior College, and Texas A&M.
Jordan, who was 86, left behind a legacy that touched countless lives through his roles as a teacher, coach, and masonry contractor.
Born on December 1, 1938, to Louie Marshall and Velma Preston Jordan in Paris, Texas, Jordan dedicated much of his life to education and sports.
He spent many years teaching English and coaching multiple sports at Paris High School, where he made a lasting impact on generations of students and athletes.
His coaching repertoire included basketball, football, and baseball, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to athletics.
Jordan’s influence extended beyond the classroom and playing field through his successful business, Jordan’s Masonry, which he owned and operated for 35 years.
His craftsmanship and work ethic left an indelible mark on the Paris community, with numerous beautiful homes and masonry structures.
Known for being the hardest working man on any work site, Jordan built a reputation for excellence in construction throughout Northeast Texas.
In his personal life, Jordan shared 48 years of marriage with his wife Jan, creating a loving family that included their son Justin, daughter-in-law Renee, and beloved grandchildren Jacie and Jake.
Even in his later years, Jordan maintained his storytelling spirit, frequently sharing life stories with Justin on the porch while listening to country music.
His grandchildren affectionately nicknamed him the “Bionic Man” due to his resilience in bouncing back from numerous falls.
Jordan’s love for recreation and family time was evident in his traditional holiday gatherings.
He cherished annual trips to Galveston every Fourth of July and regular visits to Broken Bow Lake during Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends, creating countless memories with family and friends.
His close friendship with Jerry Skidmore, a lifelong friend, included shared experiences in coaching, teaching, playing the horses at Hot Springs, and enjoying family ski trips.
Former students remember Jordan as more than just a teacher and coach.
Mike Bowden, from the Paris High School Class of ’69 (Facebook), recalled Jordan’s influence as a mentor who pushed students outside their comfort zones.
Bowden shared memories of Jordan encouraging him to participate in a state competition in Denton, where he recited Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!”
Jordan’s impact was so lasting that he attended the class’s 50th reunion in 2019, maintaining connections with former students decades after their graduation.
Olen Jordan Is Mourned By His Family
His younger brother Larry Jordan, who experienced Olen’s influence as both a sibling and an athlete, spoke of their special bond.
Known as “Sonny” to his family, Olen served as Larry’s coach, boss, advisor, mentor, and closest friend.
His guidance and leadership extended beyond family ties, influencing many in the local sports community, including Paris Junior College National Baseball Champions and the Texas A&M baseball team.
Jordan is survived by his wife Jan; son Justin and daughter-in-law Renee; grandchildren Jacie and Jake; and siblings Martha Oakes of Burleson, TX, Carol Smith of Paris, Marshall Jordan of Paris, and Larry Jordan and wife Judy of Paris.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law, Winford Oakes and Billy Smith.
Though Jordan spent his final years in Arkansas, having moved there to be closer to his son’s family, his heart remained in Paris, Texas, the community he helped build through education, athletics, and construction.
His passing marks the end of an era for the Paris community, but his influence lives on through the countless lives he touched as a teacher, coach, businessman, and family man.
Additional Information
- He owned two distinctive Chevrolet cars in the 1960s while teaching at Crockett – one red and one yellow – which made quite an impression on his students.
- As the owner of Jordan’s Masonry, he was known for personally working alongside his crews rather than just managing from afar, demonstrating his hands-on leadership style.
- His daughter-in-law Renee would patiently listen to his repeated storytelling in his later years, even though he was convinced she enjoyed them as much as Justin did – showing his good-humored nature even in his final days.
