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Ronald Jordan, 72, of Spotsylvania County died Friday, Dec. 11, 2009, at his residence.
Ronald Jordan was a native of Henderson, N.C. He attended elementary and high school at Henderson Institute. Always having an interest in music and drama, Ronald was an outstanding performer in the Henderson Institute band and won several awards for his work in drama.
Ronald was always active in the church, where he once served as the Sunday school superintendent at his home church, Spring Street Baptist Church, while still in high school.
Ronald would graduate as one of the most-popular students in one of the largest graduating classes from Henderson Institute at the time.
After graduation, Ronald would be the first in his family to attend college, pursuing his interest in music.
In 1955, he began his college career and a lifelong affinity for Virginia State College in Petersburg. He was voted "king," signifying the outstanding male freshman during orientation week in 1955. His popularity did not diminish for the remainder of his time at Virginia State College. Again, he would excel in his musical endeavors, as well as the theater where he won several awards.
It was also at Virginia State that he pledged and became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc in 1959. He would later become a charter member of the Tau Rho Chapter in Fredericksburg, where he would also serve as Basileus.
In 1960, amid the racial and social challenges of the era, teaching positions in the arts were hard to find. However, in 1960, Essex County schools in Tappahannock, called.
It is noteworthy that when Ronald went to Essex, there was no band program. He would go on to not only establish the Essex High School band, but also begin a heritage as a band director that would follow for the rest of his teaching career.
While in Essex, he would also meet and eventually marry Vincent Ealy. Vincent, from Bluefield, W.Va., was also a teacher. They married in November of 1966 and had their first child, Sean Christopher in 1968.
After 10 years of service to the Essex County public schools, he would move his talents further north to the city of Fredericksburg in the fall of 1971, where he became the band director at James Monroe High School.
From 1971 to 1991, the JMHS band was known for its ability to perform, winning awards that would take it to Temple University in the early '70s to Atlanta, Ga. and the Peach Bowl in the early '80s.
The band was renowned for its showmanship during this period, and Ronald's reputation in the community centered around the band's award-winning performances.
While in Fredericksburg, Ronald and Vincent would have another child, Chrystal Lynne, in 1976.
Ronald's dedication to his faith as well as music was also evident in his joining Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site) in 1971. At Shiloh, Ronald served as the choir director for the men's chorus as well as the Chancel Choir. He served with distinction for more than 25 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the late Vincent E. Jordan; his mother Florence Russell, brothers Cleveland Russell and Chan Russell; and a sister, Ernestine Russell. Survivors include his daughter, Chrystal J. Brown and son-in-law Sean C. Brown, of Alexandria; and son Sean C. Jordan of Detroit.
A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at James Monroe High School, Fredericksburg, with the Reverend Dr. Nathaniel Young officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fredericksburg.
The body may be viewed from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18, at A.L. Bennett and Son Funeral Home, Fredericksburg, with the family will receiving friends from 7 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home, and a Christian wake, with the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity performing the ceremony.
