Thain C. Jordan was born July 7, 1931, on a farm in rural Stafford County near Stafford, Kansas, to Fred H. and Leona (Stark) Jordan. He became a Christian as a child. He attended grade school in a country school, Eagle School and graduated from St. John High School in 1949.
Following graduation he was employed with the Stafford County Highway Department at St. John, KS. as county surveyor, and later became assistant county engineer under the existing county engineer, John Maddox. On August 12, 1950, he married his high school sweetheart, Dorothy L. Hager. To this union was born, Larry, Kenneth (deceased), Randall and Patricia Ann.
After serving as assistant engineer for seven years, he and his family moved to southeast Kansas, Cherryvale, and he and his brother, Jim owned SeKan Drilling Company and drilled and pumped wells for several years. They sold the business and built homes in the area, building his family home and later sold, and purchased a suburban home, seven acres. He completely remodeled and designed this home. The interior was a conversation piece for so many. On the acreage he raised pine trees, and at Christmas the children went with their parents to the field and cut down their tree, with the excitement of Santa’s arrival. He made sure nobody went home without a tree and a candy cane. The family always enjoyed Christmas with a 16 ft tree in the family room.
He was avid hunter and golfer. He taught Jr. Golf and it was a delight to see these young boys grow into adulthood and become excellent golfers. He enjoyed the outdoors, and he and his wife enjoyed traveling in their motor homes, until ill health would not permit. Prior to retiring he and his sons built a convenience store in Nevada, MO. which was managed by his son Randy for several years, prior to selling.
Thain was known for his great sense of humor, creativeness, and wood working knowledge. He was an active member of the Methodist Church having served on the Board of Trustees, until ill health would not permit.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Kenneth; brothers, Fred Jr., Charles Harry, Eugene and Jim.
Thain is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Dorothy of the home; two sons, Larry and Randy Jordan; one daughter, Mrs. Patti Blake and husband, Brad; one sister, Mrs. Jeanette Klein and husband, Don; six grandchildren and their spouses, eight great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.
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