Don Elton Jordan

Don Elton Jordan, 91, passed away peacefully October 15, 2022 at Unity Point Marshalltown Hospital in Marshalltown, Iowa. Don was born June 8, 1931 to Ray and Lucy (Wurster) Reynolds in Taylor, Wisconsin. His mother passed away shortly after his birth and he was adopted by his Aunt and her husband, Amelia and Les Jordan. The family moved to California where they initially lived in Van Nuys, and later settled in Burbank. Though adopted, Don spent significant time with his birth family in Wisconsin and graduated from both Van Nuys High School in California and Tony High School (where he was Prom King) in Wisconsin.

Not long after graduation, Don served in the US Army and was deployed to Japan during the Korean War. After he finished his tour, Don moved back to Burbank, CA and worked for the family aerospace business, Jay Manufacturing Corp. While visiting in Iowa, Don’s cousin introduced him to her co-worker at Bankers Life, Celia Belle Shaver. Don and Celia were married August 8, 1958 in Des Moines and then went to live in California.

In 1977, Don and Celia started their own aerospace company, Blue Jay Sales, which they ran until their semi-retirement in 1994. But Don was not really ready for retirement and so started a new aerospace company, Reynolds Air, which he ran part-time until 2008. In 2009, he and Celia officially retired and moved to Urbandale, IA. In 2020, after Celia’s passing, Don moved to the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, IA.

Don was a force of nature. He had a passion for the aircraft parts industry and loved talking about the process to make them. He also loved to write, tell stories, volunteering at the senior center, gardening, and being involved with the YMCA where he served as Regional President for several years.

Don is survived by his daughter, Cathy Jordan; sister, Ida May Van Doorn; sister-in-law, Cynthia Fisher; brother-in-law, Tom Shaver; his nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff Jordan; his wife, Celia Jordan; and seven siblings.

A graveside service will be held at Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter on Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Indigent Residents Funds at the Iowa Veterans Home, c/o Emily Hall, 1301 Summit Street, Marshalltown, IA 50158.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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