James Jordan

James Laurence (Larry) Jordan, was born September 16, 1936 and passed away July
24, 2023 at the age of 86.

Larry was born in Meeker Colorado in a log cabin to Raymond (Ray) and Ethal Jordan.
He was the first of four children. He lived on the family ranch on Morapos. For the first
three years of his education, Larry would ride five miles, one way, on horseback, to the
Morapos School. During the winter his dad would take him to school on the horse-drawn
sleigh. Sometimes when the winter weather was cold and stormy, Larry would stay with
the teacher until his dad could come and get him. During the summers, Larry would stay
on the ranch and help his Grandmother Ruth Jordan.

By the time Larry was entering fourth grade, his parents moved to Hamilton, Colorado
so his dad could work in the oil fields. He attended fourth through eighth grade at the
Hamilton School. He was the only student in his class. Upon completion of his
elementary program at a country school, Larry proceeded to high school in the big town
of Craig. This was quite the culture shock for Larry who preferred to saddle a horse and
ride from sunrise to sunset returning by the light of the moon.

During his high school years, Larry participated in football and track.
He brought home many ribbons for the mile run and high hurdles.
After graduation Larry worked for the Rio Blanco Guest Ranch. He met many
interesting people from the East coast to the West coast while taking them on pack trips
into the Flattop Wilderness.

After four years at the guest ranch, Larry’s childhood dream to work in the forest
became a reality. His expert horseback riding and mule train packing skills were noticed
by the Forest Service and he was asked to go to work for the White River National
Forest Service. Initially, he was their Head Packer. He would carry supplies into the
wilderness on horseback with a pack string of horses and mules where he would help
with trail work. This continued for two years at which time, the Forest Service decided
Larry should become a Forester. He attended Forestry School in Durango, Colorado.
Upon completion of his education, Larry, scaled logs and laid out timber for sales in the
Routt National Forest. Early on in his career, he quickly learned how to identify the
species of tree, its age, defects, and volume of board feet on a logging truck.
In 1963, he married Linda Loudy of Craig, Colorado. On March 26, they eloped to Fort
Collins, Colorado. Larry and Linda resided in Craig where they began their family.

In 1964 their first daughter, Laurinda was born. Daughter, Edwina followed in
1967 and son, Bruce rounded out the family in 1969.

In 1974, Larry moved his family to Kalispell, Montana where he continued his career
with the Forest Service.

Five years later in 1979, Larry transferred to the Bureau of Land Management and
moved his family to Dillon, Montana.

In the fall of 2001, after 38 years for the Federal Government, Larry retired. During his
career Larry had many memorable experiences. He covered a great deal of territory
seeing all kinds of wildlife and beautiful landscapes.

One of the responsibilities given to Larry during his time at the BLM was the
construction of the Continental Divide Trail between Montana and Idaho. Larry, worked
with the work crews for seven years toward the completion of the sixty-mile portion of
the Red Rock Pass/Centennial Mountain segment of the Continental Divide Trail. This
was some of his proudest work. Larry spoke of it often and his face would light up when
he told stories about this job.

Larry always carried a camera with him. This started at a very young age. After
retirement, he decided to take his hobby to a new level and begin a career as a
photographer. His first job was photographing the contestants at the Equestrian
Jumping Horse show in 2004. He continued as a photographer for many years with
Linda at his side.

Larry was a member of the Montana Back Country Horsemen and enjoyed many
wonderful rides with his fellow members.

Larry was an avid hunter and Denver Broncos fan. Fall was his favorite season
because he could go hunting for a big bull elk and watch the Broncos. When Larry
wasn’t hunting or watching football you could find him riding his horses, fishing or
irrigating his twenty acres of hay.

Every Fall, you could find Larry and Linda in one of their most loved places,
Yellowstone National Park. Larry loved to take photos in Yellowstone especially
of the elk. He could never get enough photos of them. He thought they were
the most amazing creature created.

Larry was a kind man with a huge smile and great sense of humor. He loved
life and his family and will be greatly missed.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Ethal Jordan, sisters; Peggy
Bailey, Mary Ryan and Donna McAnnany. Two nephews, Michael Bailey and Eric
McAnnany

He is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter Laurinda Stokke (Jade), daughter Edwina
Jordan, and son Bruce Jordan. Grandchildren; Ashlie Kalawaia (Kimo), Teron Stokke,
Trevor Atcheson, Trinda Atcheson, and Liam Ferriter. Great grandchildren; Joey,
Moana, Ulla-Pelle, Tristan, Darla, Hayden and Mikey. Brother-in-law, Bill Loudy (JoAnn)
and their 3 daughters and niece Kathy Bailey White.

Graveside services will held Monday, July 31, 2023 at the Mountain View Cemetery in
Dillon, Montana.