Vernon "Bogie" Jordan

Vernon “Bogie” Jordan was born in Alton, Illinois in 1930, the only son of Howard and Vertalee Jordan. At the age of 16, his family moved to the tiny town of Peoria, Arizona, where he graduated with a class of 40 students from Peoria High School. He attended Tempe Normal School, which eventually became Arizona State University, for a while before joining the Air Force. He met and married Hannah Abrams in 1953.  In 1954, they bought a house on the outskirts of Phoenix at 44th St. and Indian School where they lived and raised a family for over 60 years. Bogie served in the military for 26 years before retiring as a Senior Master Sergeant doing vehicle maintenance.   His service took him to Germany, the Pentagon, Tokyo, Luke Field, and most of the time, the Arizona Air National Guard located near Sky Harbor Airport. 

Bogie and his family began traveling to Cholla Bay (Rocky Point) in the 1960s and eventually acquired a house that they enjoyed visiting for 30 years.  He and Hannah were known as “Agitator” and “MiniMixer” to the community.  Bogie was a founding member of the Old Boys Social Club in Cholla Bay and had a very active social life and many friends in this small beach community near Rocky Point.

Bogie and Hannah enjoyed traveling too just about anywhere.  He has seen all of Arizona, and almost every state, and taken thirteen cruises to different parts of the world. 

Hannah’s death in 2016, and his later battle with West Nile Virus in 2019, necessitated the move to assisted living.  He spent the last couple of years at Morningstar Senior Living in Arcadia.  He loved the caring staff and activities provided to the residents.  He was most proud of being the unofficial Ambassador at Morningstar where he served as the one-man greeting committee. 

Bogie is survived by three daughters, all living in the Phoenix area,  Diane Godfrey, Elaine Jordan, and Caron Turner.  He had five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.  

Celebration of Life will be held February 10, 2024, 11:30 am- 2:00 pm, at Valley Field Riding and Polo Hall located at 2530 N. 64th St., Scottsdale, AZ  85257.