Richard l. Jordan Sr. passed away April 18.

Dick was born Sept. 4, 1927, to Ben F. and Bessie F. (Miller) Jordan at home in Westfall. His dad delivered him. Dick passed away only a few hundred yards from where he was born. He was the last of their five children. The brother closest in age to him was 19 years older. So Dick grew up with his nieces and nephews.

He liked to say he was riding a horse from the time he was three weeks old. His mother carried him on a pillow in front of her saddle. Later, he rode behind her, and then to his own pony.

He attended school in Vale, Harper, Westfall, and Bully Creek, where there was family or friends to stay with.

After he graduated from the eighth grade, he decided he was done with school. From then on, he worked wherever he was needed on the family ranches. At that time, there were no drift fences so they rode from above Westfall to Vale Valley gathering cattle. He was usually riding a colt. When his number was called for the draft, the ranchers in the area got him deferred because he was needed here.

On Feb. 1, 1948, he and Nelora Elizabeth Reed were married in the old Christian Church at Vale. They made their home on the home ranch which they later bought from his mother. They were parents to seven children, Dick Jr., John, Dan, Bob, Laura Jean, Dave, and Frank.

As time went on, they added more land. Dick was very good with cattle and horses. He was considered a natural geologist. He loved to hunt and fish with his family. He was 87 years old when he finally hung up his saddle and put old Bannock and Marshall out to pasture.

Dick is survived by his wife of 72 years, Nelora; sons, Dick Jr. of Vale, John (Kathy) of Carson City, Nev., Dan (Jeanne) of Westfall, Bob (Meg) of Oroville, Wash., Dave (Becky) of Adrian, and Frank (Kelly) of Westfall; brother-in-law, Bob Bradfield of Vale; 23 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura; parents; sister, Annie; and brothers, Herman, Harry, and Bennie.

He loved his family very much, and will be greatly missed.

There will be a celebration of life Sept. 6 at the ranch in Westfall.

To those who wish to send a memorial donation, donations may be sent to: In Faith- For Missionary Ed Renk, 272 Douglas Road, Ontario, OR 97914.