Thomas Jordan, Jr.

Thomas Jordan, Jr. was born to the late Thomas Jordan, Sr. and Louise McClain Jordan. He is one of four children born into this union. He was a lifelong resident of DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Thomas was affectionately nicknamed “Buddy” by his older sister, Anna, when he was born. She looked at him and said, “This is my little Buddy,” so, he became our "Buddy" as well.

He joined Bethel Presbyterian Church at eleven years old in 1952, under the leadership of the late Reverend Rogers. While an active member of the church, Thomas served on the following leadership teams: Usher Board, Board of Trustees, and Finance. Thomas attended Tivoli Elementary and Tivoli High School.

He was an avid sports enthusiast. He played the position of running back on Tivoli’s football team under the leadership of Coach Authur Woodward. He also played centerfield on his father’s baseball team, The Red Sox. Thomas was drafted into the United States Marine Corps on January 26, 1966. He is a Vietnam War Veteran and a Purple Heart Medal Recipient. While serving his country, he received The National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Campaign Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, and Rifle Marksmen Badge.

After Thomas completed his military service in the U.S. Marine Corps, he coached “The Ladies Community Softball Team"; many were family members, such as cousins, Peggy Daniels, Rosa Britt, Voncille Huffman, and Cora (Kitty) Wilson; his sister, Jean Crawford; and other family members.

In the 1970’s, Thomas pursued a career in Law Enforcement, becoming a Deputy Sheriff with the Walton County Sheriff's Department and later becoming the first black investigating detective for the department. He continued his quest of law enforcement by acquiring a position with Eglin Air Force Base Civil Service Department in 1984, where he worked as a police officer. He later acquired a position with the Department of Transportation and Maintenance at Eglin AFB, thus becoming a Heavy Equipment Technician. He desired this position the most. It gave him the opportunity to work with his hands. He enjoyed taking things apart and assembling them again. Thomas retired from Eglin AFB Civil Service in June 1999.

Retirement could not have come at a better time because it gave him more time to pursue his passion for fishing, hunting, and gardening.

Thomas is preceded in death by his seven siblings, Octavia Guinyard, Richard “Junior” Bell, Henry Bell, Sr., Dorothy Watts, Annie Lou McClendon, Anna Jordan Williams, and Willie B. Hall (whom was a cousin and affectionately considered a brother).

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, a loving wife, Savannah Jordan; two sisters, Jean Crawford (Grover), and Bessie Harris (James) of Orlando, Florida; two devoted caregivers, niece, Felicia Harris of Orlando, Florida, and cousin, Robert Kennedy of DeFuniak Springs, Florida; and a loving circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, and sorrowing friends.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, January 24, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 25, 2025, beginning at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel. Committal services will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by the United States Marines. 

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home of DeFuniak Springs.