Richard Jordan passed away in his Eastsound home on Aug. 26, 2017, eleven days after the death of his beloved wife Dianne Wilson Jordan. The cause of death was a heart attack.

Richard was born on April 1, 1939 in Houston, Texas to Howard Beaucham (H.B.) and Mary Frances (née Oldham) Jordan. One of three children, he graduated from St. Thomas High School, and later, from Sam Houston State University.

After serving as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, he pursued a long career in business and commercial real estate in the Houston area. He was a founding partner of the Street-Jordan Company, a commercial brokerage, development and construction company. During this time, he developed, built, managed and sold shopping centers, apartments and office buildings, primarily in the Houston area.

Richard’s first marriage, which ended in divorce, resulted in his daughter Linda, who was with him when he died. In 1980, Richard met his wife Dianne, to whom he was married for 33 years. After their wedding in 1985, Richard moved to Austin, where he pursued commercial real estate investment.

Dianne and Richard first came to Orcas in the 1990s to escape the hot Texas summers. They moved to Eastsound in 2003, where they quickly became active members of the community. Richard was a member of the Orcas Island Yacht Club, and he and Dianne were deeply committed to the island’s many social and philanthropic causes, including the Orcas Center and the Orcas Animal Protection Society.

One of Richard’s proudest moments was standing by Dianne as she became Commodore of the Orcas Island Yacht Club. When she became ill, he devoted himself to her care, ensured her safe return to their home on the Island, and was holding his wife’s hand when she died. Eleven days later, he succumbed to a massive heart attack and peacefully joined Dianne in the next chapter of their lives.

In addition to his wife Dianne, Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings. He is survived by his daughter Linda; son-in-law Stephen Willard; his three grandchildren, Stephen, John Talbott, and Julia; as well as his cousin Barbara Jordan Meyers.

Richard’s family and friends will miss his dry sense of humor and his love of life. His grandchildren adored their Papa and will hold him close to their hearts. His daughter is forever grateful for his love and care.

The memorial service he planned for Dianne now celebrates both of their lives in the memory of family and friends. The service will be held on Friday, Sept. 15 at 11 a.m. in the Emmanuel Episcopal Church Annex in Eastsound. A service for friends and family in Texas will be held in Huntsville, Texas later in the fall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent to the Orcas Animal Protection Society, 84A Hope Ln, Eastsound, WA 98245.