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Charles Edward Jordan was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on January 24, 1951, to Eslie “Son” Jordan and Opal Randall Jordan. He was raised in the Manard community of Cherokee County and attended elementary school at Manard schools. He then transferred to Tahlequah Public Schools where he graduated in 1968. After high school he attended Northeastern State College in Tahlequah where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education. In February of 1973, Charles was hired to teach Social Studies at Westville Public Schools. It was at Westville Schools where Charles met the love of his life, Nancy Lofton and they married on November 24, 1978, in Stilwell, Oklahoma. In 1979 Charles earned his Master of Education from Northeastern State University and became a guidance counselor in 1980. He spent his entire 28-year career in education with Westville Public Schools, retiring in 2001. After retiring from Westville Schools, Charles carried the mail and opened Old Man’s Gun Shop where more storytelling occurred than actual business.
Charles grew up running the hills and hollers of Manard, fishing the bayou, and hunting with his dad and his brother, Big Eslie. He also played baseball for Tahlequah High School where he developed a love for the game. He carried that love of the outdoors and baseball into his adult life and passed it along to his children.
In Charles’ 28-year career at Westville Public Schools he made life-long friendships that would continue for the remainder of his life. From his hunting buddies and “The Lease” to his Boys’ Night Out group, Charles loved to be around people and lived a meaningful life with the people he loved. In addition to his co-workers, he developed many meaningful relationships with his students, many becoming close friends as well. Charles was in charge of organizing the annual Senior Trip for many years. Some of his best memories were spent with the students, faculty, and staff of Westville Schools.
Later in Charles’ life, he and Nancy spent many nights making music with friends at the Gospel Music Theater. Every Thursday night you could find Charles, guitar in hand, playing music with his friends.
Charles left this life on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, in Tulsa, Oklahoma with his family at his side. He was 70 years old. Charles was preceded in death by his dad, Eslie “Son” Jordan. Left to honor his memory is his wife, Nancy, of the home in Westville, his mother, Opal Jordan, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, his son, Brian Jordan, his wife, Hannah, and their children, Kevyn and Emberly, of Fort Gibson; another son, Mark and his wife Mandi, and their children, Ava, Audree, and Colt, all of Tahlequah; his daughter, Bonnie Gail Wilhite and her husband Jamey of Benton, Arkansas.
Charles also leaves one sister, Bonnie Smith, of Tahlequah, and one Brother, Eslie, of Manard. He also leaves behind two nieces and five nephews. In addition to family, Charles leaves countless friends and students to honor his memory.
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