Edmond Leo Jordan, 80, passed away April 30, 2025, at Mitchell County Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, surrounded by his loving family. Ed was born February 23, 1945, in Hays, Kansas, to Harold “Tuffy” Clifford Jordan and Neola “Blondie” Darlene Westhusin.
Ed spent his early years in Plainville, Kansas, before moving with his family to Colorado and Utah, following his father’s work in the oil fields. The family settled in Pratt, where Ed graduated from Pratt High School in 1963.
He began his career in the feedlots around Salina, where he reconnected with Norma Thompson. They married May 30, 1965, in Plainville. In 1966, Ed enlisted in the U.S. Navy and graduated from dental tech school in San Diego before being stationed in Newport, Rhode Island. On November 12, 1968, they moved to Hawaii where he served as a medic attached to the Marines flying from Hawaii to Vietnam to pick up and care for the wounded.
Throughout his life, Ed wore many hats. He was a partner in a sale barn in Syracuse, managed ranches in Colorado for Travelers Insurance, and served as the State Brand Inspector for Colorado. In 1980, the family returned to Plainville, where Ed helped his brother-in-law Tracy build and operate Thompson Cattle Company, specializing in registered bulls. In 1987, they moved to Gem, Kansas, where he managed the Halford Cattle Company feed yard for 13 years.
Though he planned to retire, Ed returned to work following Norma’s cancer diagnosis and untimely death. He managed the High Plains Co-op fertilizer plant in Selden and later hauled grain - a job that would bring him to Lenora. There he met Peggy Ninemire and Tom Gerlits, who introduced him to Bonny.
Ed and Bonny were united in marriage November 9, 2009, at Coffin Rock Ranch. They made their home in Lenora for most of their married life before recently relocating to Delphos, where they worked tirelessly side by side to remodel their new home.
Ed was warmly welcomed into Bonny’s large family, and he embraced every one of them as his own. He and Bonny loved traveling, with Australia and Alaska among their favorite adventures. They cherished time at Marion County Lake, especially family reunions when everyone could be together. But Ed’s greatest joy came from his grandchildren, attending their activities, cheering them on, and telling anyone who’d listen how proud he was.
He was also a storyteller. Some of the family’s favorites included discovering a container of boxing trophies during a move. When asked about them, Ed stated that while in the Service they were looking for entertainment for the men, so they offered a steak dinner on Saturday night for anyone willing to box on Friday night. “I liked steak, so I got pretty good at boxing!” Ed quipped. He also loved recounting his days riding PRCA bucking horses. But his favorite stories were always the ones about his grandkids.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Norma (Thompson) Jordan, and his brother, Dean Jordan. He is survived by his wife, Bonny Jordan, of the home in Delphos; his sister, Pam Lyle and her husband Buck of Hutchinson; daughters Chavonne Schmidt and granddaughter Ciara Garnett of Ellis, and Chanelle Jordan of Wichita. He is also survived by his extended family of stepchildren: Stacey (Jarrod) Jones of Hays, Kelly (Andrea) Day of Smith Center, Wendy (Brad) Keith of Bogue, Dustin Day of Lenora, Brandi (Ryan) Duskie of Glen Elder, Jessi (Cameron) Walker of Delphos, and Akiko (Robert) Segarra of Harveyville; along with many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ed will be remembered for his hard work, sense of humor, deep love for his family, and the legacy of kindness, humility, and grit that he leaves behind.
There will be a celebration of Ed’s life Thursday, May 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Cowboy Junction in Hill City, Kansas. Bonny requests that people attending should dress casually. Memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s honor to Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation and may be sent in care of Stinemetz Funeral Home, 522 N. Pomeroy, Hill City, Kansas 67642.