Robert Jordan III

Robert Jordan III (who we all know as “Bob”) passed away peacefully after a long illness Thursday, June 3, 2021.

Bob, age 78, a dedicated father, husband, and grandfather, was born in Uniontown, PA, lived in Hialeah, Florida from age 12, and joined the US Navy in 1959, age 17. Those first Navy years, Bob spent as a “Storekeeper” (rate) mostly at sea and later became a Master of Arms (MAC)/ Law Enforcement in a variety of Naval Vessels and land assignments. He was one of the “Plank Owners” when stationed onboard the USS Lexington that was newly commissioned and put into the sea.

In 1966, he was stationed in Albuquerque, NM at “Sandia” base where he met and married Peggy Hazlett. The marriage took place at her home in Grants, NM. Peggy remembers Bob as an “Ordinance Storekeeper” due to go to Vietnam. The Navy chose to send him to “Accompanied sea duty” in Eritrea, Africa for one year. After marriage in Dec. 1966, Peggy learned she could be with Bob in Africa, with required passport, ID, and 17 shots!

            “Out of Africa” landed Bob in survival school and then off to Saigon, Vietnam. Peggy returned to Grants, NM to live with her parents and family for the Vietnam tour, welcoming in first daughter of this marriage, Christine, 1968.

            The next Navy tour took this little family to Bermuda, where Sheral Lynn was born in 1970. The next tours took Bob and his family to Tennessee, Philippines and Hawaii, from which he retired in May 1981 with 22 years of service.

In and out of Navy duty, Bob lived life to the fullest. Many may remember his very active life before his stroke in 2001. Many enjoyed being with him more after his stroke while living in a home he helped build in San Rafael, NM (Grants area), next to “Mom” Hazlett.  Peggy remembers that after Navy retirement, before the stroke Bob became a police officer in Raton, NM, a Lodge manager in Red River (and alternate Judge), a Police Sergeant and Emergency Manager for Rio Rancho DPS, a Basic Law Enforcement Academy Instructor, States of NM and Texas Emergency Manager and Training Officer, and finally a state of NM Motor Transportation Officer, working a large District from the Port in Gallup, NM.

            Bob was a good man. Off duty and on duty he was “Community minded” and always found ways to reach out to help family, friends, and anyone needing help. He was active in many volunteer organizations such as American Red Cross (CPR Instructor), HAM Radio and Communication Emergency Services, various Volunteer Law Enforcement, and became an EMT, Firefighter, and OMI a short time. He had high standards and strongly served God, country, family, and community. He had a strong faith and enjoyed any chance to serve. He had a deep, abiding love for his Heavenly Father and his Savior Jesus Christ. Peggy shared his strong faith and rejoices in the fact that Bob is now at peace, in the hands of our Lord.

Bob, in a very early marriage, gave life to two sons, Robert Jordan IV and Keith Jordan. Although it was not meant to be for him to be with those sons very often, Bob enjoyed a joyous relationship the last 15-20 years. Thank God for all His blessings! And a blessed life it was. Bob believed Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord…acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

The Bible says (Psalm 37:23) “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord…” (VS; 27) “Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore.”

Bob was grateful and thankful for help as he grew frail with medical issues. If he could speak, he would want to thank family and friends for prayers, love, and support through the years and thanks for so many wonderful memories that each of you enjoyed with him.

Bob is survived by his wife of 54 years, Peggy; children, Christine Jordan-Naus, Sheral Lynn Woodward, Robert Jordan IV, and Keith Jordan; 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; his much loved son-in-law, Michael Naus along with brother, Richard Jordan and sister, Suzanne Jordan.

Bob was preceded in death by his father, Robert Jordan Jr., his mother, Ruth Opperman-Jordan, brother, Barry and sister, Patricia.

A Public viewing will be at 9:00 am followed by a funeral service at 10:00 am on June 12, 2021 at Daniels Funeral Chapel, 4310 Sara Road SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124 (phone: 505-892-9920). A Celebration of Life Reception will be at the Naus Family home. Grave site services will follow reception at Grants cemetery in Grants, NM at 3:00 pm.