Joseph John Jordan, Jr.

Joseph John Jordan, Jr., husband of Valerie Jordan, passed on Monday, March 19, 2018 at his home with his loving family by his side.

Joe was born on November 11, 1962 in Danville, PA during a blizzard.  The Jordan family moved to Denton, MD a week later, so Joe was not a true Eastern Shore native.  However, at two weeks of age, Joe ran outside, took off his diaper, and declared himself an Eastern Shoreman.

Joe grew up in Denton along with his six siblings.  In 1980, Joe graduated from North Caroline High School (he does still have some overdue books that he meant to return).  He then participated in extra-curricular activities at University of Maryland College Park and Chesapeake College.  Joe was an avid outdoorsman, hunter, fisher, trapper, and spent many days in cold blinds across the Shore.

Joe worked for his parents at the Mr. Donut/Dunkin Donut in Cambridge, MD as a manager and later bought the business from his parents.  In the fall of 1984, Valerie Leverage came to work at the donut shop and despite a family rule against dating the help, Joe was smitten and a rule breaker in general.  Joe quickly fell in love with Valerie and they were married on January 19, 1985.  Joe found his soulmate in Valerie.  Together, they raised three children, Ryan, Josh, and Jenni.  Joe was extremely proud of each of his children.  Joe always said that he was the luckiest man in the world.  Joe was a great dad who passed his easygoing nature and his love of life on to his children.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Celestine Jordan, his grandparents, William and Helen Brown, Joseph and Jessie Jordan, aunts and uncles of the Ryan, Brown, Jordan, and McKenna families, and Val's grandparents, Alfred and Mary Maryanov.

In addition to his cherished wife Val, Joe is survived by his children Ryan Jordan, Josh Jordan and fiancée Emily, and Jennifer Jordan. Siblings: Susan and Tom Bianca, John Jordan, Theresa Jordan, Jean Jordan, Jeffrey and Lynn Jordan, and Celeste Jordan.  Val's family: Jay and Carol Williamson, Tim and Kim Leverage, and Greg Leverage.  Nieces and Nephews: Alex, Ann, Jackie, Alyssa, Ian, and Anthony.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at 11 am at St. Mary Refuge of Sinners Catholic Church in Cambridge. Family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6 to 8 at Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.

Honorary pallbearers will be John Jordan, Jeff Jordan, Ryan Jordan, Josh Jordan, Greg Leverage, and Tim Leverage.

Memorial contributions may be made to John Hopkins, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/support/.  Please specify brain cancer research or pediatric oncology.  Some advice from Joe:  When you buy a pickup truck, always get 4-wheel drive.  Go outside…enjoy nature with your family, sit around a campfire, and maybe even go fly a kite.