ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. Obituary for: JOURDAN, WILL THOMAS Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. Source: E.J. Fielding Funeral Home, Covington, La. Died: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 ======================================================================= Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgenweb.org/volunteers/copyright.shtml ======================================================================= JOURDAN, WILL THOMAS September 22, 1934 - February 14, 2017 ========== A photo is available for this file. Please go to http://usgwarchives.net/la/sttammany/obits/dateobits/2017/st1702.htm and click to view list of photos. ========== Will Thomas Jourdan, 82- Pawpaw to his family and friends- of Mandeville, LA died on Tuesday, February 14, 2017, at his home in Mandeville, LA. He was born, Saturday, September 22, 1934 in New Orleans, to John M. and Anna Federico Jourdan, both also born and raised in the city. Pawpaw is survived by his children, Karen Jourdan Ranker (Dick), Will Jourdan, II (Colleen), Kim Jourdan, Eric Jourdan, and Bruce Jourdan; his grandchildren, Denise McGovern (Casey), Stephanie Carefoot (Todd), Matthew Ranker (Jennifer), Kristen Skistimas (Craig), Caitlin Jourdan, Ann Marie Jourdan Grattan (Andrew), and Louis Jourdan; also, five great-grandchildren, Eamonn McGovern, Colin McGovern, Emma Carefoot, Mackenzie Skistimas and Madelyn Skistimas. Also, surviving him are his sisters Joan Douville (Robert), Ann Breaud (Norbert), Mary Meyers (Chris) and brother Gary (Beverly). He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Lois Marie LeBoeuf Jourdan, his parents, his infant daughter, Joanne Marie, and his sister, Lynn Conley. Mr. Jourdan was a varsity basketball and baseball player at Jesuit High School and played collegiate baseball for four years at Loyola including the 1955 team that was elected to the Loyola Hall of Fame, the first baseball team so recognized by the University. He graduated from Loyola, earning a BS degree in business administration. He served in the Army Reserve and was a Captain in Artillery at the time of his discharge. A successful business executive, he purchased Atlas Steel and Wire in Elmwood, then later sold it while remaining CEO until he retired. He moved his family to Lakeshore Drive (at Wilkerson) from Metairie and lived there for many years until the house was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Later he donated the damaged original structure to the town of Mandeville for preservation as an early example of local architecture. Pawpaw was a devout and devoted Catholic, serving on the Our Lady of the Lake Parish Council, as well as a Eucharistic minister and lector. For many years, he was a member of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. He then served on the board of directors of Ozanam Inn including four years as president. The Archdiocese of New Orleans recognized Mr. Jourdan and his wife for their exemplary devotion by awarding them the Order of St. Louis medal. He loved his late wife, his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He enjoyed traveling in the family’s motor home and sailing on Lake Pontchartrain. Outgoing and gregarious, he took great pleasure from simply spending time and chatting with his many friends. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Mass at 12:00 Noon on Friday, February 17, 2017 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 312 Lafitte Street Mandeville, LA 70448. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17, 2017 from 10:00 AM to service time. In Lieu of flowers donation may be made to Ozanam Inn, ozanaminn.org or Jesuit High School, jesuitnola.com. US Army Res. ===================