Jordan was born in Minot North Dakota to Bernell “Benny” and Margaret Benson. He grew up in Minot with his siblings — Dale, Carole and Craig. After graduating high school, he attended college at North Dakota State School of Science where he studied architecture and drafting. While attending college he met and later married Judith Schuman on June 10, 1961. He enlisted in the Army and went to serve in Vietnam for 3 years. He was stationed out of Seattle Washington.
Jordan and Judy had two daughters, Stephanie and Katia. Jordan spent the next 50 plus years working in the lumber industry from construction and sales, to lumber yard management and ownership and back to sales and construction. During that time Jordan and his family lived in North Dakota, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota and Montana. He enjoyed wood working, art and building homes. He built almost every home he and his family lived in. Jordan also enjoyed riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles; he and his family and friends attended the Black Hills Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis South Dakota for many years from the late 60’s, all through the 70’s and into the 80’s. Jordan continued to attend these rallies on and off through the years; he and both of his daughters attended in 2006 and his final trip to Sturgis was in 2012.
Jordan also spent 20 years training and running in marathons, during which time he met and married his second wife Judith Roberts in Portland Oregon. Judith had three adult children – Bill, Kate and Bart. Jordan later moved with his second wife to Baker City Oregon. In 2005 they moved to Idaho and he built a home in Star Idaho, and finally in 2012 they moved to Meridian Idaho where he was the general contractor and actively managed the building of his final home.
Jordan was a warm and fun-loving father and husband. He was a great conversationalist with numerous stories and easily made friends everywhere he went. Jordan was very active in his church and was instrumental in getting the Kuna Lutheran Church project off the ground. He will be missed.
Jordan was preceded in death by his parents, Bernell “Benny” and Margaret Benson, his wife Judith, and his brother-in-law Chris Davison. He is survived by his siblings – Dale Benson (Jolita), Carole Davison, and Craig Benson (Nancy). He is survived by his daughters, Stephanie McDonald (Bob), and Katia Gillis (Dan), his granddaughter Jordyn Gillis, and his stepson Bart Roberts. He is survived by all his nieces and nephews — Carrie, Kristi, Becky, Katrina, Alisa, Lesley, Kenny, Brad and Cole. He is also survived by his first wife Judith Hansen who was a life-long friend.
A memorial service will be held on May 3, 2025 at 12:00 pm at the Kuna Lutheran Church located at 128 E. Porter Street Kuna, Idaho Condolences may be left for the family at www.bowmanfuneral.com