Dr. Richard Joseph Jordan

Dr. Richard Joseph Jordan (affectionately known as Doc), 71, of Midland, was ushered into heaven surrounded by the love of his daughters in the early hours of Monday, March 20, 2023. The family will receive guests from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home. Memorial services will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, March 25, 2023 at Christ Church Anglican.

Doc was born on August 10, 1951 in Lowell, Massachusetts to Elizabeth and Archie Jordan. He was raised in New England, summering with his cousins on the beaches of Ipswich. He and his brother, Bob, grew up in Chelmsford, MA shooting hockey pucks on the rink their father flooded for them and swinging clubs on the 9 hole course their dad built… most certainly sparking Doc’s lifelong love for the game of golf.  A brilliant scholar, Doc achieved his Bachelors and Master’s degrees in Geology from Boston University and his PhD in Geology from Syracuse University.

His love of geology brought him to Texas where he built a family with his then wife, Kathy, and their three daughters. From baking blueberry scones and apple pies to licking rocks as a guest lecturer in his daughters’ classrooms, Doc modeled his selfless service and generosity always.

For the past 27 years, Doc lived in Midland and continued to invest deeply in those around him. For 25 years he volunteered as a beloved Science teacher at The Hillcrest School. His egg drop challenge for junior high students will surely go down in history! Hillcrest has given the Dr. Dick Jordan award every year for decades to a student who shows volunteerism, advocacy, and kindness to all.

Doc could be found most days on the greens at Ranchland Hills Golf Club challenging his many friends on the course and teasing them as everyone’s favorite “local liberal!” He was so proud to tell his daughters of how he recently “golfed his age” at the Club, one of his favorite places on Earth.

Doc was devoted to his church community at Christ Church. He served faithfully as an usher and in the recovery ministry Teen Challenge, where he impacted the lives of its participants every step of the way.

Doc was a pillar of the recovery community in Midland. Relied on by many and loved by all, Doc humbly used his own story of redemption to encourage others and always saw the best in everyone around him.

Doc often said that he would never retire. He passionately loved his work and always got a twinkle in his eye when he talked about his latest discoveries. The 27 years he spent with SDX Resources brought him so much fulfillment and joy.

His eleven grandchildren each put Midland on their list of favorite places in the world simply because that is where they go to be spoiled by Doc. His daughters are immeasurably proud of the selflessness and true kindness with which he lived each moment of his life.

Richard is survived by his brother Robert Jordan and sister-in-law Nancy Jordan, his daughters and sons-in-law, Jack and Jessica Goodyear, Todd and Kristin Lewis, Johnny and Caitlin Beauford, and grandchildren Grant, Claire, Tessa, Trey, Nehemiah, Laney, Miles, Sam, Olive, Lucy, and Emily.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents, Archie and Betty Jordan.

His daughters would like to express their gratitude towards his SDX Resources family, his Christ Church body of believers, his Recovery community, his adored Hillcrest Staff and students, and his treasured Ranchland friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hillcrest School or Christ Church’s Teen Challenge ministries.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

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