Dr. Charles E. Jordan

Dr. Charles (Chuck) Edwin Jordan, 98, passed away on January 16, 2025, at the Barrington of Carmel. He was born in South Charleston, Ohio on January 2, 1927, to Author and Daisy Jordan. Following graduation from North High School in Columbus, Ohio, he worked in partnership with his father and grandfather producing purebred Chester White swine until he entered college. He received a B.S. Degree in Agriculture from The Ohio State University in 1951, a Master of Science degree from Purdue University in 1955 (following two years in the US Army) and awarded a Ph.D. degree in 1958. Upon completion of his Ph.D., he remained on staff at Purdue as an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Sciences, School of Agriculture.

Dr. Jordan accepted a position with Eli Lilly and Company, Agricultural Research Division in Greenfield, Indiana on June 1, 1959, working there until his retirement as an Executive Director in 1990. During his time with Eli Lilly, he was appointed Director, Agricultural Research, Lilly International Corporation, requiring relocation of his family to the United Kingdom for three years, returning to the United States in 1974. Dr. Jordan’s work at Eli Lilly led to the discovery of several new products that are still being used in commercial animal production.

Dr. Jordan was an Old Master at Purdue University in 1974 and was inducted into the Ohio State Animal Science Hall of Fame in 1975. He was a member of the American Society of Animal Science, the American Society for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Biological Science and a member of Alpha Zeta Fraternity. After his retirement, Dr. Jordan was an active member of the Kiwanis Club of Greenfield. He also served on the Advisory Board for the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (formally, Purdue Cancer Center) and he served on the board of Hancock Regional Hospital. Chuck was a long-time member of Bradley United Methodist Church in Greenfield, IN.

Chuck was married to Joyce Fox on January 17, 1954. Joyce preceded him in death in 1993. He was then married to Betty J. Abney on August 29, 1998, and she preceded him in death in 2014. He is survived by his three children, David (Nancy) Jordan of Naperville, IL, Pamela Yoder of Westfield, IN and Jennifer (Kevin) Pickett of Carmel, IN; grandchildren Molly Jordan (Tyler Jacobs) of Chicago, IL, Charles Jordan of Brooklyn, NY, Madeline Jordan of Vancouver, Canada, Olivia (Tyler) Sarsfield of Indianapolis, IN, Ben (Lynsey) Yoder of Norcross, GA, Claire Pickett of Carmel, IN, Ethan Pickett of Chicago, IL, and Andrew Pickett of Holland, MI as well as two great grandchildren, Ellie Yoder and William Sarsfield; siblings Ruth Keen of London, Ohio and Marilyn (William) Creager of Kilmarnock, VA.

Dr. Jordan traveled extensively during his career but continued to enjoy travel throughout his retirement. He also enjoyed fishing, playing tennis and playing board games. He was a wonderful, loving father and grandfather and will be remembered as someone who had a gentle spirit and was kind to everyone. He was extremely generous believing that he should share the blessings that God gave him. He touched the lives of all who knew him and will be deeply missed.

There will be a private burial at Paint Township Cemetery in London, Ohio on January 27th. Friends can remember him at a Celebration of Life at the Barrington of Carmel on March 2nd from 2:00-4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Joyce Fox Jordan Endowment at the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research in memory of Charles Jordan (https://giving.purdue.edu/inmemorychuckjordan) or Hancock Health Foundation, 801 N. State St., Greenfield, IN 46140.