James “Jim” Jordan of Rochester, Minnesota, died on his 89th birthday, Saturday, Oct. 31, 2015, at Samaritan Bethany Nursing of Rochester.

James John Jordan Jr. was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Oct. 31, 1926, to James and Marie (Marquardt) Jordan. Jim joined the Inactive Naval Reserve in early 1944, and graduated from Patrick Henry High School in June of 1944. He was called to active duty in September and sent to electronics school. He became an aviation electronics technician and was assigned to a patrol squadron in San Diego, California. In early 1946, Jim was assigned to a Navy short-wave radio station on Guam which relayed news reports from the atomic bomb test at Bikini Island. After his release from active duty, he studied at the University of Minnesota and graduated in June 1950 with a degree in civil engineering. In 1951, he was again called to active duty by the Navy and served until 1952 at Pensacola, Florida, and Quonset Point, Rhode Island.

Jim was an Assistant City Engineer for Austin, Minnesota, from 1953 until 1956, when he joined IBM Rochester. While in Austin, Jim met his wife Cleo Hertle, and they were married at St. Augustine Catholic Church on Oct. 20, 1956. He worked in facilities engineering at IBM Rochester until retiring in 1987. He was a registered professional engineer and a life member of M.S.P.E. Jim got his amateur radio license in 1970. He enjoyed operating his station. His call sign was KBØYI. With a modest station, he was able to make contact with Hams in the US and several foreign countries. Jim enjoyed bowling, billiards, golf and pistol target shooting at different times, and watching auto racing and sports on TV. After to moving to Shorewood Senior Campus he enjoyed playing cribbage with his friends, scoring a 28 hand, just one point away from a perfect score.

Jim is survived by his wife Cleo of Rochester; one brother Dennis (Diane) of Monticello, Minnesota; as well as six nieces and nephews; two great-nieces, and one great-nephew.

Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father; and brother William Jordan.

A funeral mass for Jim will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2015, at 11 a.m. in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Burial will be in Austin, Minnesota, at Calvary Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the mass. Macken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.