Patrick Leonard Jordan

Patrick Leonard Jordan was born the third of five children to John and Marjorie Jordan in Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada on August 31, 1922. Times were quite hard and when Pat was around four years old, his dad went to Washington to look for work and soon sent for his wife and the children to join him. Pat grew up in Everett, Washington and in that beautiful setting of water, woods, and mountains, he began to develop his life-long love of the outdoors. He tells of sitting in his fourth grade classroom, looking out the window and dreaming of exploring the woods rather than studying his times tables. When he was in high school, his family moved to Seattle where he attended Seattle Prep. Pat then joined the Civilian Conservation Corps in which he gained great experiences in the outdoors including logging and being a fire lookout. This deepened his interest and love of the woods, especially. After a while, he and his friend decided to enlist in the US Army to gain experience and take opportunities for adventure. He was assigned to Fort Stevens in Oregon and was enjoying Army life, when the United States entered World War II. Pat was there when the Japanese shelled Fort Stevens. His unit was then sent to New Guinea and the Philippines as an artillery unit for the duration of the war. As they were preparing to go, Pat was shocked to discover that he was not an American citizen, but still a Canadian. A quick trip to the courthouse changed this and he left with his unit. This was a defining experience for him in his life. Like all people in the service during combat, he had to deal with the reality, good and bad, of being at war. He was enormously proud of fighting for his country and for peace in the world. He also developed a lifelong respect and bond with veterans. Pat joined and actively promoted the good that the VFW does for veterans and the community. He was State Commander of Oregon and a National Committeeman. He met many wonderful men and women across the country and especially here in Oregon. After the War, Pat came to Portland where he took a job as an ambulance driver. Working at the restaurant where he ate his lunch was a beautiful young lady who had just moved from North Dakota. Sparks flew and a 60 year marriage ensued. Pat loved his wife Irene with all his heart. His great love for her was probably his finest quality. Their five children saw parents united and in love as they raised their family. His greatest sorrow was when his beautiful wife died of cancer in 2006. Another wonderful quality of Pat’s was his deep faith and devotion to God. He was a very prayerful man, spending many hours of prayer in the Adoration Chapel at St. Agatha Parish. He prayed the rosary faithfully every day, until the last days of his life when he was unconscious. Over his life he was very active in parish and family life and was a shining example of faith in action. In his last days, he yearned to be with God and reunited with his wife Irene. He said he was not afraid to go, but he loved his life here, his family, and his wonderful memories. Pat made his journey the evening of March 12, 2015 and is now one of the new saints in heaven. Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Dad! Service Information