Edward Daniel Jordan of Bessemer, AL, was born on January 15, 1929, and passed away February 1, 2019 after a long battle against Alzheimer's. He is survived by his wife, Vivian Stepleton Jordan; daughters Jan Spooner (Mike), Jeri Tanner (David), and Christi Mote (Jeff); and a host of grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by daughters Lori Elizabeth Jordan and Elizabeth Anne Smitherman.

E. Dan, as he was known to many of his friends and colleagues, was a devoted family man who had enjoyed an illustrious career in law enforcement. This career spanned the turbulent civil rights era and included solving a racially charged murder which occurred the day of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing in 1963. During that era he also had the privilege of meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, with whom he shared a birthday. But more important to E. Dan than even his long and interesting career in law enforcement was his family. He was the devoted husband of Vivian, who he married in 1964; he was a loving father to Jan, Jeri, Lori, Christi, and Beth; and he was a kind grandfather and great-grandfather to Tonya, Mandy, Joseph, Rachel, Laura, Jennie, Nick, Jayni, Alex, Ashley, Jordan, Jackson, Atticus, Isabella, Chloe, Noah, and Zoe. One thing that is remembered most by his family is his great sense of humor and fun and his wonderful stories.

E. Dan enlisted in the Army on September 13, 1948, at age 19 and served overseas in Germany until 1950; he afterwards served for a time in the Army Reserves. After his discharge from the Army he found work at US Pipe in Fairfield, but when that company went on strike in 1951 he went to work for the Bessemer City Police. He began working for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department under Mel Bailey, in the Bessemer Cutoff Division, on January 1, 1959. E. Dan retired in 1993, having risen through the ranks to Captain. During his long career in law enforcement he received many honors and credentials, including a diploma earned at the FBI National Academy in Washington, D.C., and presented to him by President Richard M. Nixon.

E. Dan had many interests and a love for giving back to the community. He was involved with the Bessemer Historical Society, Tannehill State Park, and many other community organizations and ventures. He was a talented artist who drew and painted for personal pleasure; he was also an in-demand police sketch artist. He was a music lover and enjoyed singing and playing guitar and harmonica. He even had a brief career doing Elvis impersonations for nursing home residents! He and Vivian were members at Hunter Street Baptist Church.

E. Dan will be remembered by many as a great man, one who made a difference in his family and his community. He set an example for all who knew him of diligence, devotion to family, a love for learning, and the importance of a life devoted to service.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 6, 2018 from 11 am to 1 pm.  Funeral Service will be at 1 pm in the Chapel of Valhalla Funeral Home.

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