Lucius Donald Jordan Jr's Obituary
Lucius Donald Jordan, Jr. (Don) entered into the presence of the Lord he loved on June 18, 2026, just three months shy of his 97th birthday. Don was born September 12, 1929, in Kosciusko, Mississippi, to Lucius Donald Jordan, Sr. and Elva Minerva Allen Jordan. He loved telling stories about growing up in Kosciusko and the fun he had with his sisters, Sara Beth and Susie Claire. A love of the Lord and Scripture was instilled in him at an early age; even during his last days, he could recite the verses and hymns he learned as a child. Don was a natural athlete and leader, enjoying football, baseball, and track, and playing in the band at Kosciusko High School, where he was voted Mr. Kosciusko High School, Most Popular, and Friendliest.
Upon graduation, Don attended Mississippi College (now Mississippi Christian University) in Clinton, MS. He held a lifelong devotion to MC, remaining actively involved by founding the Faith and Business Ethics week for the School of Business. He was honored to deliver the commencement address in 2014, the same year he was named Alumni of the Year. It was one of his favorite accounting teachers, Mrs. Francis Scully, who recognized his potential and applied to Harvard Business School on his behalf. Don went on to earn his MBA from Harvard and remained a dedicated alumnus, frequently traveling with classmates and serving as a featured speaker for Harvard Business School reunions.
While serving in the Army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas, Don met and married Marlene Drury Jordan. They shared 40 beautiful years of marriage and raised three children—Cyndi, Jen, and Trey—before Marlene lost her battle with cancer.
Don’s professional journey took his family across the country as he served in management for Procter & Gamble and Mead Johnson. When Mead Johnson was acquired by Bristol Myers, he served as Vice President of National Sales for the Household Chemical Division. Eventually, the pull of his Southern roots led him to accept an offer from Mr. Plough to become Executive Vice President of the International Distribution Division of Schering-Plough, prompting a move to Memphis.
Ever the entrepreneur, Don followed his "true calling" in 1974 by purchasing one of the first Wendy’s franchises, earning numerous awards, including Franchisee of the Year. In 1994, Don, his wife, Marlene, and his son, Trey, developed the Holiday Deli and Ham Company, a Memphis staple for thirty years. It was there that the "famous" Papa’s Pimento Cheese was born; Don’s (Papa’s) image can still be seen on the containers in grocery stores throughout the South today.
Don’s passion for mentorship led him to start the Barnabas Group, a quarterly breakfast dedicated to uniting the business community through a shared Christian worldview. He served as both a deacon and elder at Second Presbyterian Church and contributed his
leadership to many boards, including the Baptist Hospital Foundation, Presbyterian Day School, Christian Psychological Center, MIFA, and Crichton College. He was also named an honorary alumni of Baylor University.
As engaged as Don was in his career and service to the community, he was even more devoted to his family. He never missed his children’s events and spent years coaching sports with Trey. He led by example, teaching his children the value of faith, family, and a strong work ethic. Theirs was a family filled with a love for the Lord, laughter, hard work, and deep love for one another. Don’s entrepreneurial spirit lives on in his children: Jen, co-founder of The Urban Gardener in Memphis; Trey, who leads Pimentos Brands and is a realtor in 30A, Florida; and Cyndi, a mental health therapist and psychological examiner at Germantown Behavioral Solutions.
Don delighted in his grandchildren, Lucius and Jules. His crowning achievements were watching them grow, love the Lord, marry, and start families of their own. Lucius (Emily) is an account executive in Florida and father to Lucius V (Luca). Jules (Rollin) is a realtor in Memphis and mother to Charlotte Anne (Charlie).
In his later years, Don married Cynthia Anderson Jordan. During retirement, he enjoyed fly fishing, spending time at his farm in Mississippi, reading, traveling, and mentoring young people. Above all, he cherished every moment spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Don recited his life verse, Proverbs 22:1: "A good name is to be chosen rather than riches, and favor is better than silver or gold." He often spoke of life as a "three-legged stool," supported by the equal pillars of faith, family, and work ethic (both professionally and in service to the community). He wished to be remembered as a man who loved the Lord with all his heart, served others selflessly, and treasured his family beyond measure.
He definitely succeeded in those goals. We rejoice in the grand reunion taking place in heaven as he beholds his Savior and is reunited with his love, Marlene, his parents, his sister Susie, and many dear friends. We echo the words we believe he heard upon his arrival in heaven: "Well done, good and faithful servant."
Don is survived by his wife, Cynthia A. Jordan; his children, Cyndi Jordan, Jen Jordan, and Trey (Anne) Jordan; his grandchildren, Jules (Rollin) Rosatti and Lucius (Emily) Jordan; his great-grandchildren, Lucius Donald Jordan V (Luca) and Charlotte Anne Rosatti (Charlie); his step-grandchildren, Alex (Blake) Meeks and Taylor Smith; and his beloved sister, Sara Beth Jordan.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made to the Baptist Reynolds Hospice House, Mississippi College, or Second Presbyterian Church.Arrangements have been entrusted to Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5668 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38119 (901) 767-8930.
“Where Memphis comes to remember, since 1924.”
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